BoxRec

If Max Baer had fought Rocky Marciano, who wins and how?

Baer, as we know, can punch but Rocky is probably a little too relentless.

Not the sublime beat down that Louis put on Baer but more a war of attrition.

I'd probably tip Rocky, by late, late stoppage.

I think Baer at his very best would give Marciano a hell of a battle, but over 15 rounds I agree, Max gets stopped late via accumulation of shots. Rocky might go down more than once here.

..marciano ALWAYS came into the ring in terrific shape...maxie almost never did. he even had to coast between his knockdown rounds against carnera . max had one of the greatest chins in boxing....i think better than marciano's.....so i think he'd take a lot of shots, clown around, hold and lose a fifteen round decision.

dempseyfire wrote:I think Baer at his very best would give Marciano a hell of a battle, but over 15 rounds I agree, Max gets stopped late via accumulation of shots. Rocky might go down more than once here.

I have Baer in vintage form for this fight, & almost ending the contest with two vicious knockdowns in round three. Marciano staggered about in uncharacteristic fashion, & had to fight his way back into the contest the hard way after wearily surviving the torrential third. He courageously stops Baer along the ropes (while Baer is still punching back, but clearly sickened by Marciano's brutal blows) in round 12. A fun fight.