Rocky Marciano vs Floyd Patterson (1957)

[Tony1244]

In the 60s, 70s, many considered Marciano the GOAT because of his undefeated record. Patterson was stopped 5 times by Ingo, Liston, and Ali so he was way down the list.

Ironically though, did Floyd have a chance against Rocky? Floyd obviously was much younger than Rocky's best wins against Moore, Walcott, Charles, and Louis.

[tiny_acres]

I'm a huge Floyd Patterson fan. I find him to be very under rated. I am also the guy that thinks Marciano is over rated because of his undefeated record and 6 title defenses.
But i see no way on hell that Floyd could beat Marciano. Marciano's style is all wrong for Patterson. I would venture to say if Floyd made it past the 5th round it is a moral victory.
But I pick Rocky by knock out in 1 to 3 rounds

[DrDuke]

I can see Patterson being ahead against Marciano, but it's extremeny hard to see him finishing the job. Rocky kayos Floyd.

[Tony1244]

If Rocky got into any kind of shape I think he'd stop Patterson in mid or late rounds. I don't think FP could keep the Rock from KOing him for 15 or even 12 rounds.

[gilgamesh]

I think Floyd would've been outboxing, and cutting up Marciano before getting knocked out in all likelihood. It's possible that Marciano would've slowed down enough by now to lose to Patterson, but considering he would've only been what 33? I'm gonna say he'd still have enough to get the job done.

[HomicideHenry]

Marciano would've gotten the golden 50-0. The fights with Charles were evident that Marciano had an incredible engine, he could brawl it out for an entire 15 rounds. And as evident with the Moore fight, a strong offense constantly keeps the other man on the defensive never scoring back.

[Joson]

Marciano was in decline when he retired in 1956. That's what I read. People in Rocky's camp supposedly saw bad signs during the Cockell and Moore fights. How far over the hill, I don't think anyone knows. But he was starting to slip.

Floyd, on the other hand, was a 21 year old speed demon with a crackling left-hook. Patterson threw blazing combinations. Dude had lots of energy and ambition at that stage of his career.

Nonetheless, Marciano would have KO'd Floyd had they fought in 1957. The only question is how long the fight lasts, and how much punishment Rocky takes before breaking Floyd down.

We all know Marciano, even an aging version, could have crumpled Patterson like tin foil anytime he connected with his sledgehammer power punches. IMO, though, Floyd would have been smart enough and sufficiently elusive to dodge Rocky's shots for a long time before getting clipped.

My guess is that Marciano stops Patterson sometime between the seventh and tenth rounds. Rocky probably suffers severe facial cuts in the process. Maybe he's even behind on points for much of the fight. But sooner or later Marciano lowers the boom and it's lights out for Floyd.

[scorpio83]

What everyone thought Marciano would KO Patterson in 10 rounds.