Rocky Marciano: Could he have beaten anybody?

[Crease]

"I give him a puncher's chance" DD

-perhaps this quote was made for Rocky Marciano... But how would the undefeated "Brockton Blockbuster" fare against the greats of other eras?

It is a question forever asked and second-guessed... Here's my views:

MUHAMMAD ALI
Rocky might have ever fought a Muhammad Ali...BUT Ali never fought a Rocky Marciano!!!
Look the Ali-Frazier trilogy and notice that Ali barely came out alive against Frazier.
Plus:
1. Rocky punches harder than Frazier. :)
2. Rocky can go longer rounds and still have KO power in his fists.
3. Rocky has a better chin, (look at Frazier-Foreman I + II).
4. Rocky could slug it out for 15 rounds and still deliver the KO punch.
Yeah, I can see Rocky defeating an arrogant, dancing Ali...

JOE LOUIS.
They did fight but it can't be used as a guide-line as Louis was "over the hill". However, Max Schmeling did KO Louis in his prime, so he wasn't unbeatable.
And Louis himself said that Marciano punched harder than anyone he ever encountered before:
So a Marciano KO is visible in my opinion. LOL.

JACK DEMPSEY.
Marciano and Dempsey have often be compared to one another. If they fought one another it would be one of the most destructive heavyweight match-ups ever seen.
(With similar styles and strengths)
There would be very little to choose between them. However, Dempsey did lose to Gene Tunney (and Rocky punched harder than Tunney).
Also, Dempsey only ever fought 10 round fights, whereas Marciano could keep the pace up for 15 rounds. So for Stamina and endurance, Marciano would win by late KO. But both boxers could be hospitalised... ;;-)

JOE FRAZIER.
Again, both fighters are very similar but I'm under the impression that Rocky punched harder and had a better chin than Smokin' Jo, and was surpremely fitter than him.
Frazier also relied on his KO punch (the big left hook) whereas Marciano had KO power in both hands.
Marciano could also take punches better, so Marciano would win in my book.

GEORGE FOREMAN.
This would be a tough fight. Foreman would give Marciano a lot of trouble, as I don't think Rocky could hit as hard as Foreman. Foreman's punching power would certainly startle Rocky, but Rocky had a fantastic chin.
Foreman also tired after 6 rounds of punching, whereas Marciano could still dish it all out for 15 rounds.
Plus, Ali KO'd Foreman, so it s conceivable that he would fall before Marciano, Rocky victory by a late KO. :P

MIKE TYSON.
"Iron Mike" on his day was a great puncher, but again Marciano punched harder. Tyson on his prime was humbled by Buster Douglas, so I see no reason why Marciano couldn't do the same. Tyson could be intimdiated and frustrated easily,
(look a the Holyfield fights).
Plus, Tyson often lost heart after being floored (he's never got up from the floor to win a fight) Rocky could sustain that pressure for 15 rounds.

LARRY HOLMES.
Larry Holmes is the greatest jab puncher of all time! Marciano could possibly find it hard to get near Holmes. However if Rocky did pin Holmes in the corner he would expose Holmes vulnerable body to a savage barrage of blows. Holmes only has his jab to fight Rocky with, and that's just not enough to beat Marciano.

LENNOX LEWIS.
Lennox Lewis has borrowed a style by Holmes, however Lewis can't do it as well as holems and subsequently often calls upon a formidable right cross. However, Marciano would be able to take the worst of Lennox. But Lewis wouldn't be able to take the worst of Marciano.

SONNY LISTON.
Sonny Liston was a formidable brute of a boxer, he intimdated his opponents and drew fear in them. Rocky would be unfazed by Liston and just rely on his superior punch power to break Listons spirit, (like Ali done in Liston-Ali I). I can see a Liston retirement or a Marciano KO.

JACK JOHNSON.
The intimdating Johnson could give Rocky problems... But Johnson has never met anyone like Rocky...
Who just keeps coming at him... & coming... & coming.
Rocky wins by KO in my opinion...

**********

What you guys think of my opinions... (No doubt I will receive some scrutiny for this)... D

[Ezzard]

In my humble opinion Rocky loses to all those guys.

I'm not saying he wasn't a great fighter...he was... But I can't see him chasing an Ali down. And I can't see him beating the big punchers who have big size advantages and who bang just as hard.

His best chance is outlast a Foreman or Tyson and get them into the later rounds. It's highly unlikely that he'd be able to do this, but if he could then he would beat them.

He could catch Dempsey and he could catch Frazier but i think they were better fighters than Rocky and would win more than they lose against him.

[Goodnight, Irene]

He'd be an underdog in my book against the lot as well, however, there are a few I cannot see him ever beating...

Foreman
Louis
Liston.

Varying chances against the rest.

[BoxBuzz]

I can't give Rocky the edge over Bowe either.

[elmersalsa]

Marciano loses to all of them...too small.

[observer1]

Marciano Loses to all fighters mentioned above except Jack Dempey

[dempseyfire]

Marciano-Frazier could go either way.

If Rocky isn't busted up too bad early he can stop Lennox late.


He loses to Holmes, Johnson, Liston, Ali, Dempsey and Louis.

Riddick Bowe?? Bowe is very over-rated on this board. One excellent fight vs Holyfield who chose the completly wrong style in that matchup. Watching Bowe vs Tubbs, Coatzer, Holyfield II and III, GOlota . . .I am just not seeing a great fighter at all. Marciano would tear Bowe to pieces over the long haul.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Marciano-Frazier could go either way.

If Rocky isn't busted up too bad early he can stop Lennox late.


He loses to Holmes, Johnson, Liston, Ali, Dempsey and Louis.

Riddick Bowe?? Bowe is very over-rated on this board. One excellent fight vs Holyfield who chose the completly wrong style in that matchup. Watching Bowe vs Tubbs, Coatzer, Holyfield II and III, GOlota . . .I am just not seeing a great fighter at all. Marciano would tear Bowe to pieces over the long haul.

I made an error. I would slightly favour Marciano against Frazier, in a near-pick 'em fight, but that's it, among this list.

A war with Dempsey would be just that, & Marciano's chances would be pretty good, IMO, but I'd still favour Dempsey to pull it out. Much quicker & more explosive, & with his power, that counts, even against someone as tough as Marciano.

[SteveO]

I totally agree.. From that list he could possibly have beaten Joe Frazier, but I don't think he would have beaten any of the other names on there.

[overhand_right]

I think your list and break down of how the fights would go is delusional and quite embarrassing for you. I doubt, like everybody else here, Marciano could beat any of those guys listed.

From pounding a selection of old relics like Walcott, Louis, Moore et al to knocking out George Foreman, Lewis, Dempsey, Frazier, Tyson... Dear oh dear, what planet are you on?

[andyc6665]

ROCKY VS ALI
This one could go either way but i think Rocky wins 2 out of 3 fights against Ali.

ROCKY VS LOUIS
RockY wins by late KO

ROCKY VS DEMPSEY
Both were very similar fighters but i think Rocky had the better chin so im going to say Marciano wins by a late TKO

ROCKY VS FRAZIER
In my opinion Rocky was better than Joe in every single department, and i think he would win by TKO in the 8th Round

ROCKY VS FOREMAN
This would be a very tough fight because in this particular match-up Marciano would not only be facing someone who hit harder than him but also a guy who dealt with pressure fighters extremely well. If they were to fight each other 3 times i think Foreman would win 2 and Rocky would win 1.

ROCKY VS TYSON
Rocky would beat Tyson easy. This fight is all wrong for Tyson

ROCKY VS HOLMES
Holmes had problems with guys who could pressure him for 15 rounds, he only just beat a past prime Ken Norton by a split decision and Marciano was better in every way than Norton so i think Rocky knocks Holmes out.

ROCKY VS LEWIS
This would be an extremely hard fight for Rocky he would be facing a guy who is bigger than all the other opponents and unlike the rest of the guys on this list Lewis had incredible power and great boxing skills. It is of my opinion that if Rocky could handle Lewis power and at the same time manage to get under Lennox's long arms he might actually have a good chance of knocking Lennox out but i think the majority of the time Lewis wins.

ROCKY VS LISTON
Although Liston is similar to Foreman i think Rocky beats Liston because Liston lacked heart and despite his great power if a fighter showed he was not afraid of Sonny then like all bullies he would back down. In this fight Rocky would not be afraid and i think his determination and chin is what would be the deciding factor in this fight. Rocky wins by KO

ROCKY VS JOHNSON
This is probably the second easiest fight for marciano and i think he would knock Johnson out in between the 6th and 9th round.

[observer1]

[BoxBuzz]

I notice that young Andy did not include Bowe in his analysis. Wise move attempting to preserve the Rock's lustre. Based on Andy's sound clinical reasoning I would assume he would be in agreement with me that Riddick Bowe wins by KO4 over Rocky. But only after knocking the Rockster down between 8 to 12 times along the way. (This assumes this is taking place with no 3 knockdown rule...or it's over in 1.)

How can I be so sure that we agree? I read his contribution carefully, I then went back and watched hours of tapes including both men, came back and read his contribution again and factored in the quatum physics holigraphic universe equations and then reached my conclusion.
(Only after conferring with granberry)

But could Rocky beat anybody? Anybody off the street...yes. And he did beat everybody he fought in the pro's......but then so did Bowe.

[Robinson]

I think he beats Jack Johnson and maybe Dempsey.

Frazier and him would be a sensational fight...

He does well with a 1976 onwards Ali. Or a pre Liston
ALi.

[theone]

JOE FRAZIER.
Again, both fighters are very similar but I'm under the impression that Rocky punched harder and had a better chin than Smokin' Jo, and was surpremely fitter than him.
Frazier also relied on his KO punch (the big left hook) whereas Marciano had KO power in both hands.
Marciano could also take punches better, so Marciano would win in my book.

I've watch substantial film of both fighters and can not understand the sentiment above that so many share. There s nothing I've seen that would lead me to believe that Rocky punched any harder than Joe. In fact I can easily envision Frazier knocking out fighters Walcott, Moore and Charles as easily as he did Foster or Ellis.
Same goes with the chin. Why is Marciano's chin considered sturdier exactly?

Anything Marciano could do Frazier could do. Plus he was bigger stronger and didn't cut like Marciano.
In some respect Marciano would be fighting a better version of himself and would lose everytime.

Although Liston is similar to Foreman i think Rocky beats Liston because Liston lacked heart and despite his great power if a fighter showed he was not afraid of Sonny then like all bullies he would back down. In this fight Rocky would not be afraid and i think his determination and chin is what would be the deciding factor in this fight. Rocky wins by KO

The popular misconception that all you have to do to stand up to a bully and he will back down has probably lead to more brutal ass kickings than anything else. You know what really makes a bully back down? Someone that has the ability to kick his ass. Ali beat Liston, Douglas and Holyfield beat Tyson, not because they weren't afraid of them. They won because they had the ability and style to beat him
Besides heart,( another overrated attribute in these type of discussions) Marciano has no pugilistic advantage's over Liston to work with. His "heart" wouldn't come into play as this fight would end quickly decisively and brutally.

[Crease]

Boxbuzz gives a hell ot a lot of credit to Riddick Bowe... Far too much in my opinion...

And Bow KOing Marciano in round 4 is laughable indeed....

[BoxBuzz]

Boxbuzz gives a hell ot a lot of credit to Riddick Bowe... Far too much in my opinion...

And Bow KOing Marciano in round 4 is laughable indeed....

I pride myself on my irreverent and eclectic humor.

However to be serious....Marciano was not as remarkable as the times he fought in. And the times he fought in were only remarkable in the fact that they were well....not remarkable.

Marciano gained a great reputation based on no losses...but he was pitted against aging talent and no up and comers to take their place....well except for Rocky.

I think Bowe beats him. I also think the rest of this group beats him as well including the K brothers. However he always has a punchers chance. But he's just too small for most of them AND a fight between him and Joe would be painful beyond imagination....and I think Joe would likely if not surely come out on top.


When I speak highly of Bowe it is because of potential that was left unachieved.

Marciano? He was a man who squeezed every gram of potential out of himself. I have great respect for his work ethic and "never say die" mentality. But against these other guys mentioned on their best nights....I'm afraid it might not do the trick.

[observer1]

Boxbuzz gives a hell ot a lot of credit to Riddick Bowe... Far too much in my opinion...

And Bow KOing Marciano in round 4 is laughable indeed....

I don't see Boew KO'ing Marciano withing 4 rounds, but i do see Bowe winning by stoppage in the latter rounds

[AngryGoon38]

Marciano loses to all of them...too small.

Bonovena,like Rocky,stood only 5'10-1/2,but look how he gave fits to both Frazier and Ali.

He could'nt hit as hard as Rocky either.Plus,the Rock had better stamina than Oscar and likely,a better chin as well.

Bonevena was easier to hit than the crouching and bobbing Rocky as well,despite the awkward style he himself possessed.

Also,Frazier was only 5-11.Tyson's height is 5-11.Dempsey stood 6'0-1/2.

I would certainly Give Rocky a Very Good chance to beat any of these three.

I certainly think that Rocky would give Ali the fight of his life,win,lose or draw.I think the styles would coincide to make a great matchup or matchups,quite similiar to Ali-Frazier.

There are four that i feel have a definite decisive edge on Rocky by an overall aspect,and they would be Lewis,Liston,Foreman,and Holmes.

"Rocky vs J. Louis" prime vs prime would always be 50/50 imo.

"Rocky vs. Ali" as well.Ali vs Rocky would look like a combination of how Ali was against Frazier and how he was with Bonevena in the earlier rounds,except,unlike Oscar,Rocky would'nt tire out like Ringo.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Goon,

Ali was a lot more unconventional, as boxer-movers go, but stylistically he is not a huge departure from Holmes. What, in your mind, gives Holmes a decisive edge, but Ali a near-pick 'em result against Marciano? Just curious.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Also, I don't know why people on this board bring up Frazier-Bonavena I, over & over & over again. Few other fighters who've had a mere dozen pro bouts seem to have to justify a difficult fight against a top contender who was in their pomp. Frazier was a complete greenhorn, & won. This is actually a credit to Frazier --- not a detraction, & people need to wake up & realise that. Bonavena was everything I stated of him above --- at his peak, a top contender. Strong. Hard-hitting. Resilient. Experienced.

It's ludicrous.

[Ambling Alp]

Agree. Why some guys like Frazier get singled out out and ripped for close calls against good opponents early in their career, and most others don't, is silly.
Foreman somehow gets ripped for the Peralta fight from time to time.

Why is it that Marciano's dubious decision over journeyman Ted Lowry always gets swept under the rug?
You could just as easily say something like "If Marciano has that much trouble with Ted Lowry, he couldn't beat Frazier, Dempsey, Johnson" (or whoever.)

[Crease]

Ambling Amp,

As you may (or may not) know... "Tiger" Ted Lowry was a survival specialist... He prided himself on the fact that he almost NEVER got KO'd... Usually he would just lose on points.

Some fights Lowry never even FOUGHT... He punched then ran... and ran... and ran... and clinched... adn scraped.... and held on.

[man]

He'd be an underdog in my book against the lot as well, however, there are a few I cannot see him ever beating...

Foreman
Louis
Liston.

Varying chances against the rest.

i disagree on foreman. george had way too weak defense to last
against marciano. well and "ever" in the case of louis is a little
stretched since marciano fought - and beat - him.

[man]

....but then so did Bowe.

no.