First off his kayo ratio was 88%, that is higher overall than Foreman, Louis, Baer, Dempsey, Liston, Frazier and Jefferies could obtain.
It was once recorded that Marciano's punching prowess was, as so, according to the U.S. Testing Company:
"Marciano's knockout blow packs more explosive energy than an armor-piercing bullet...that represents as much energy required to spot lift 1,000 pounds one foot off the ground."
Marciano was well-noted for his 300+ pound punching bag that he worked with. He wanted his power to be so great that he could knock 200+ pound men around the ring. Marciano trained in the ways of an old-bareknuckle fighter, he actually had the endurance to go 45 rounds if he wanted.
Say whatever you like, that Marciano was so much smaller than even the heavyweights of his own era, but statistics don't lie. Considering Marciano's KO ratio only got even better AFTER he was champion.
Look at what some of his KO victims had to say:
Joe Louis- "It hurt to bump into him, he hits harder than Schmeling, this kid is tough enough to beat anyone."
Joe Walcott- "Joe (Louis) could take you out with a combination...Marciano was a one-punch artist. He threw every punch like you throw a baseball, as hard as he could. I have to say, with all respect to joe, Marciano hit harder."
Considering that even back in his amatuer days, a man named Bob Girard who beat Marciano by 3 round decision:
"How do you think I beat Rocky? I beat him because it went three rounds. There were a hundred guys who might have stayed 3 rounds with the Rock. But no man in the world was gonna beat Rocky in fifteen rounds; not Dempsey, not Ali, not anybody. I knew he was going to be the champ. I don't think anybody could hurt Rocky. Every time he hit you, you saw a flash of light. You either grabbed him or you moved back, because if he hit you twice you're gone."
Marciano was once quoted: "Why waltz 10 rounds with an opponent, if you can knock him out in one?"
But never once did Marciano ever give predictions or boast and brag of his victories. The closest thing any reporter could ever get out of him was a simple "I can only try to win".
When he retired in 1956 the Heavyweight division was in an uproar, and totally shocked that the Blockbuster had left so suddenly. Some argue he had no more opponents left to fight, others say a bad back, but possibly the most likely answer was his manager Al Weil who took more than his share of Marciano's winnings.
As far as the argument goes for lack of opponents, he was in the process of facing #1 contender Nino Valdes, and had also sparred with such men as Tommy "Hurricane" Jackson, also a top ten contender---where it was once said Marciano hit Jackson so hard with a body shot Jackson vomited all over the ring.
There was offers from Floyd Patterson and Sonny Liston to urge Marciano out of retirement, but Marciano declined, as there was not enough money involved. He did almost come out of retirement to face Ingemar Johanson, who had defeated Patterson---with a contract written up that if Ingo could defeat Patterson in their rematch, Marciano would get first crack at Ingo's title.
Of course Ingo lost to Patterson, so the fight never evolved. Marciano did agree though to return to the ring in 1969, this time against another undefeated champion like himself, Muhammad Ali.
Murray Woroner was a promoter in Florida, and came up with the idea of computer fights---but since graphics were no good, Woroner could only imagine that he would pair off both Ali and Marciano in a ring.
Marciano trained extremely hard, as hard as he ever did for any fight before, and lost over 50 pounds and donned a wig so he would have the appearance of being the fighter he was. He was 45 years old and been almost 15yrs retired.
Marciano was told that all headshots were to be pulled, but both Ali and Marciano said body shots were fair game. Marciano came into the gym for that whole week of filming with the mind set, that if Ali wanted to hit him hard, Marciano knew he was in good enough shape to make a true fight of it and beat Ali.
Of course, everything was fine, up until one of the last few days of shooting. As the story goes, by Ferdie Pacheco and Murray Woroner and Angelo Dundee, Ali jabbed and knocked Marciano's hair piece off. The Rock was understandably embarassed and believed Ali was doing it on purpose. Ali knocked off his wig again and Marciano told him out right "DONT DO THAT AGAIN".
Ali knocks the hair piece off again, and without hesitation Marciano slams a body shot into Ali's gut and not only makes Ali double over but drops him to the canvas, supposedly after that had happened, Marciano offered a challenge right there and then, that if Ali was game they would have a legit bout right then and there.
Woroner claims that Ali was so badly hurt that he asked for additional money to continue the process of the film, else he would not do it. Ali of course apologised to Marciano, and the for the rest of the shoots Ali never dared to make Marciano mad.
Ali would later say that Marciano was alot harder to hit with a jab than he would have thought and that Marciano's body punching, even at 45yrs old, was astonishing. And of course that, he truly respected Marciano and never been so close to a white fighter ever.
The film came out in over 600 locations across America, and the ending was Marciano knocking out Ali in the 13th round, much like he did to Joe Walcott. Marciano died before ever seeing the film in a fatal air plane crash.
Everyone from Jack Dempsey to Bert Sugar, to Marciano's own KO victims, have said that Marciano was undoubtedly the most dangerous and hardest punching champion---if not the most ferocious and toughest of all.
In this modern day of giant heavyweights, there is no doubt in my mind, despite Marciano only being 5'10" and 185 pounds with a 69" reach, that he would stop many of the big men, if not be Heavyweight champion all over again.
My own personal bet, put Marciano in any era, and undoubtedly he would be in the top 5 contenders, if not champion.
His defense is under-rated, he was far more harder to hit than people think, he was hell with both hands, had a chin of steel, and a heart and iron will that broke all molds. Sure there were flaws in his style, but Marciano could take a few and really he could end a fight or turn a fight over at any time...all he needed was just one clean solid shot.
I rank Marciano #1 with Jack Johnson, as the greatest Heavyweight champion of all time. Why? He dodged the lower ranks and beat the top men to become champion, and stayed champion beating the absoloute best of his era, his KO percentage increased in his championship reign, rather than most fighters whose KO percentage drops after becoming champion---and hell, Fighter of The Year 3x's and well as holding fight of the Year a few times, and as well as being one of the most legendary names in all sports, not just boxing---not many can beat that. And he didnt do it with showmanship and flare like Ali or even with skill---he did it all with the power of the human spirit and the ability of take a few and give much more. He over came a late start, small size, and at first a very clumsy and sloppy style, to become the king of the ring.
Oh and...he did retire undefeated.
My Predictions of Marciano vs The Greats:
Marciano vs Dempsey- 12th round KO win over Dempsey in a violent and bloody battle
Marciano vs Ali- I think the computer fight did it accurate in alot of respects, but I think myself it would have been a KO in around the 15th
Marciano vs Frazier- KO win inside of 12 rounds, Frazier had a similar style, but he only had a left and couldnt take a punch as well as Marciano, plus Marciano threw in combinations greater than Frazier and hit harder
Marciano vs Louis- KO in 13th Prime Louis would have lasted longer, but throughout his career he had an iffy chin, and even Louis and Walcott said Marciano was a greater puncher in terms of power.
Marciano vs Roy Jones- Yeah I know Jones is back down to Light Heavyweight, but he did win the WBA belt (whatever its worth) and if Ruiz could knock Jones across the ring...imagine what Marciano could have done...KO inside of 5 rounds.
I would go on and on, but its getting late. Btw I was wondering if this Marciano rumor was true.
I had once heard that Marciano's body was examined by doctors after his death and they discovered his skull was 2" (inch thicker compared to a normal man), and that was why he could take a punch so well. Is this true?