BoxRec

observer1 wrote: Which Tyson are we talking about though?

Tyson has a very under-rated chin. In his latter fights, many don't even look at those when thinking about Tyson's skill. He was notorious for just giving up in his last 2 bouts.

Marciano could take a beating, but Tyson could take a bigger one. Question comes to heart. Marciano had bigger heart.

But i agree Marciano would need a bigger heart to beat Tyson, on my opinion, Early stoppage

Agreed that Tyson's chin was underrated...but then again he was hurt by Frank Bruno and Buster Douglas during his prime. As for Marciano, there is no reason to question his chin whatsoever. He was down twice in his career, but never hurt that I can think of. Both Walcott and Moore caught him off-balance and he was up as quick as he was down. Then again, it's probably fair to say that he never took a punch like you'd have to assume Tyson would eventually catch him with. Joe Louis would have been a good test at that level had he been a few years younger.

marcianofan wrote:

observer1 wrote: Which Tyson are we talking about though?

Tyson has a very under-rated chin. In his latter fights, many don't even look at those when thinking about Tyson's skill. He was notorious for just giving up in his last 2 bouts.

Marciano could take a beating, but Tyson could take a bigger one. Question comes to heart. Marciano had bigger heart.

But i agree Marciano would need a bigger heart to beat Tyson, on my opinion, Early stoppage

Agreed that Tyson's chin was underrated...but then again he was hurt by Frank Bruno and Buster Douglas during his prime. As for Marciano, there is no reason to question his chin whatsoever. He was down twice in his career, but never hurt that I can think of. Both Walcott and Moore caught him off-balance and he was up as quick as he was down. Then again, it's probably fair to say that he never took a punch like you'd have to assume Tyson would eventually catch him with. Joe Louis would have been a good test at that level had he been a few years younger.

That's why they call it a chin.....the ability to take a punch, or punch(es). Every fighter got hurt during the course of their careers, the good fighters usually don't show it, if the the guy he's fighting cant see it then I doubt the audience will pick it up. Tyson was beat up for 10 rounds before he went down to Douglas, Bruno got lucky and caught Tyson swinging recklessly, but Tyson managed. The biggest test of Tyson chin was when Lewis caught Tyson with a uppercut (I think in the 5 round), Tyson legs buckled and he dropped half way to the ground and popped back up, the ref still counted it as a knockdown, but "true scratch" Tyson had. Tyson/Marciano would have been a good one to see, but, Tyson would have destroyed Marciano, especially when they get in close, Marciano heart would have kept him in the fight, but I his corner would have saved him from a severe beating. Marciano was a good fighter and had a great career, but he would have never been as successful as he was in the Tyson prime era (80's).

It was the eighth round you're thinking of with Lewis-Tyson. Between, "good," "great," "concrete," &, "all-time," I always felt Tyson had a great chin. Took some monster bombs from Ruddock, for instance. Granted, they were relatively few & far between, but when he landed, it wasn't by half-measure.

I don't think it's a stretch to say Marciano could hurt Tyson, though. I just don't see the smaller, slower man being quick enough to get off in this one. Tyson early.

Edit: I think Marciano would have followed much the same route as Tyson did in the 80's. He wouldn't have been as convincing, because Tyson's speed was as much a factor as his power (& let's not discount the fear he instilled in his opponents, whereas Marciano more likely inspired respect in his). Comparatively tall, rangy fellows with strong jabs (like Thomas, for instance) would have given Marciano some trouble, but, ultimately, I think he takes Tyson's path, undefeated, right through to knocking out Spinks (which he would do in six rounds).

Marciano would never waver in his focus, though, & I have a difficult time seeing him lose to even a primed Douglas in Tokyo. Marciano'd work the body, & that'd get to Douglas, who'd go out with a spirited performance, perhaps ahead on the cards. Tyson offered very little in offense that night, especially in regards to the body, & that wasn't Marciano's way. An ensuing fight with Holyfield would've been an instant classic, irrespective of the outcome