silkov wrote:DoubleM wrote:BrocktonBlockbuster49 wrote:
i want anyone on the forum who rates marciano over one of these guys to respond to this post.
If he wants to argue it, I'll take him on. I could give many reasons why Marciano should be rated above all of those guys.
Go on then. Though a debate with pro Marciano fans tends to be like banging you head against a brick wall, as you fail to see anyone ones point of view except your own...
Listen. I ain't gonna argue like a Marciano 'nuthugger', but I'll present you with some facts.
Rocky Marciano had a very short amateur career. Sixteen fights, that's all. When you don't have much training either, you won't learn much from those sixteen fights. Even in the early days of his professional career, Rocky was just getting by with his own training, and his big right hand.
After a while knocking out nobodies, he found better management. With this management, he was guided to the top of his game. By no means was he protected though... He faced hard hitting prospect Carmine Vingo, cute undefeated stylist Roland LaStarza, top contenders Rex Layne and Harry Matthews, and an old but still dangerous, top three world ranked Joe Louis. George Foreman, Carlos Monzon, Roberto Duran and Muhammad Ali are among the many fighters who didn't face as tough opposition as Marciano before winning the title.
When Rocky did win it, he defended that title six times against five opponents, all of whom were the number one contender, except one, Don Cockell - the number one contender for this year was Archie Moore, who Marciano knocked out in his next fight. Who can say they have defended their title like this? Not many.
Of course, Rocky was undefeated too. He could say with pride that he beat every man he ever faced in the professional ring. Some can say the same... Lennox Lewis, for instance. But even he lost. Marciano's record was perfect, and against good competition too. He almost never had the physical advantage in his fights, and he also very rarely had the skills advantage either. Yet he was undefeated?
Good-natured Rocky Marciano, with his all-action style, who packed the venues, who never turned down an autograph, who was a hero for so many Italians and Americans alike, who was loyal and loving to his family, who is still talked about today, was definitely not overrated.
8) 