BoxRec

I was watching Marciano's biography on Sports Century 5o and Beyond and it said that Marciano was challenged by both Patterson and Liston after he retired.

Now come on! The guy Ali called "The Rabbit" could not beat Marciano, and I am speaking of Patterson. He was fast and a skilled boxer, but hardly in Marciano's class. He would be dropped like a stone quick. If he was dropped seven times to Ingemar Johansson, then Marciano would kill him.

Liston was a staler and had a powerful left jab, but hardly fast enough to catch the brawling Marciano, who would be on his ass from the start of round one.

As I see it Patterson loses by KO in 1st and Liston loses by KO in 7th

Marciano would have been too strong for Patterson, but Liston in his prime, which was before he won the title would have broken Marciano's head. Marciano never fought anyone of that quality IN THE OPPONENT'S PRIME.
Marciano gave a little thought to a comeback only once, because he didn't like Johansen's arrogance, but he gave up the idea, mainly because he knew condition was his strongest point, and he wouldn't have been able to get in his top championship shape. Even then, I think he would have taken the front running Ingo without much trouble, because he feasted on fighters just above that level.

Marciano kayo's Liston

Can you imagine what Rocky's face would have looked like after 2 rounds of trying to get past that Liston jab.

Of coursse they both only called him out after he was retired....they both knew they would only get their asses kicked by him...especially "glass chin" Patterson.

The only way Marciano would kick Liston's ass would be if Sonny bent over, put a sign on his butt that said "kick here." Futhermore, if Marciano had fought in the later era of Ali,Lyle,Holmes..and you know the rest of them, he probably wouldn't have even earned a title shot. Of course, that's assuming after he looked at those guys that he would have even wanted one. Had he signed to fight Foreman, God in his mercy would have intervened to prevent the fight from happening.

Liston was so much bigger and stronger. Liston would have been too much for Rocky. Patterson is not a joke either. THe guy had a glass chin but he could fight. Rocky most likely hit too hard though. Floyd was closer to Rocky's weight too so there would not be as big a difference as if he fought Liston.

Rocky would never have been champ if he fought in the 70's. ALi, Foreman, Frazier, Norton are all head and shoulders bigger than guys like Walcott, Charles and Moore. They were fresher too.

Foreman was way too big, and deservably so an all-time great who achieved alot.

ALi and Norton where also way too big and would have jabbed him silly. THough Norton had a weak so Rocky may have caught him.

Frazier was an animal. He got bombed out by Foreman as Rocky would have. But he beat ALi as Rocky would only dream of doing. Frazier over Rocky too.

Patterson is an under-rated fighter. I would hesitate to say that he had a glass jaw, but his chin was very reachable and very shaky.

Liston was only 14-1 (7 KOs) when Rocky retired. That is way too green. He had just gone 10 rounds for the first time and was about to start two years of inactivity due to being in trouble with the law. He didn't start facing top level competition until 59.

Marciano ko's Patterson. there is no way Maciano beats Liston. no way.

Marciano was knocked down by an old Walcott and a light-heavy: Archie Moore. He was fairly easy to hit. He gets knocked out by Liston.

But if he does get off the mat and keeps on fighting, Liston will get discouraged and give up. No heart. So Liston will win 2/3, maybe 3/4.

Liston was a bully like Tyson, and had no heart. Quit twice on Ali.

Why do you say there's no way Marciano would beat Liston? Liston's size is wayyyyyyy overplayed. 215, in his prime. Marciano faced a lot of 215-pounders, that in itself is no big deal. You hit on a good point about Liston getting discouraged. Rocky wouldn't, he would stick to it till Liston caved in, that's the way The Rock was. Marciano did very well against sluggers, he would beat Liston. The Rock was too busy, too active and too much of an inside body worker. He would out hustle Liston and dictate terms.

Patterson might do better than expected, as The Rock didn't do as well against boxers. He would catch Floyd in the mid to later rounds however, conditioning would be the key.

Liston was big for his era. Most heavies were about 190. Louis 205 in his
prime. Liston out-weighed Rocky by 30 pounds. Rocky was busy, but he was still easy to hit. Moore and Walcott knocked him down. Charles was really only a light-heavy, but he gave Rock a terrible beating, fight almost stopped. Marcino fought some big guys, but they were not good fighters. Size alone is not a big deal. Liston had excellent skills, jab, incredible power. Good footwork. Rocky never got hit by someone like Liston. Liston just would have taken him apart.

marciano was lucky he came along when he did, after Louis and before Liston. He was tough, but small, with very poor skills.

Look at Holyfield's stuggle with big guys who are good. But Liston was much much better than Lewis or Bowe. Liston's image tarnished by the Clay/Ali fights. But Liston was old by then, did not train for the first
fight, and fought Clay/Ali in his prime, when he could not be hit.
Clay at that time was as fast as Robinson in his prime. A movie was made comparing their handspeeds.