What makes Marciano so special against sub 190lbers throughout history?

[SuzieQ49]

What makes him so effective fighting against men his own weight/smaller?

[Manassa]

Because he was massively strong and powerful for his weight, owing to what I think was a naturally brilliant physical structure. Though short of height and reach, Marciano was a human tank with thick, short bones that lent themselves well to absorbing and supporting big forces. As evidenced by his post-career weight gain, Marciano was naturally more than just a bit portly - and his fighting body was trimmed of nearly all fat - but he still looked stocky. Also characteristic of this robust build are mechanically advantaged tendon insertion points and long, thick, if not very defined, muscles. Rocky could have been a power lifter.

When you add huge amounts of stamina you end up with a physical monster. If that physical monster will not back down for shit, then it doesn't need skill to be good. As it turns out, once honed, Marciano was cagey enough to maintain a good hit ratio with anyone, and he, if nobody else, fought fighters who were easily capable of re-teaching him some old textbook stuff - Moore, Charles and Walcott.

[LittleRed]

End thread.

[john garfield]

Is the thread subject a question or a statement, SQ?

[Nightcrawler]

Originally Posted by Manassa

Because he was massively strong and powerful for his weight, owing to what I think was a naturally brilliant physical structure. Though short of height and reach, Marciano was a human tank with thick, short bones that lent themselves well to absorbing and supporting big forces. As evidenced by his post-career weight gain, Marciano was naturally more than just a bit portly - and his fighting body was trimmed of nearly all fat - but he still looked stocky. Also characteristic of this robust build are mechanically advantaged tendon insertion points and long, thick, if not very defined, muscles. Rocky could have been a power lifter.

When you add huge amounts of stamina you end up with a physical monster. If that physical monster will not back down for shit, then it doesn't need skill to be good. As it turns out, once honed, Marciano was cagey enough to maintain a good hit ratio with anyone, and he, if nobody else, fought fighters who were easily capable of re-teaching him some old textbook stuff - Moore, Charles and Walcott.

well fuck...ain't gonna bother trying to follow this

[Caelum]

What Manassa said

[SuzieQ49]

Originally Posted by john garfield

Is the thread subject a question or a statement, SQ?

Statement, however I would love to hear your opinion on the matter.

[SuzieQ49]

Originally Posted by Manassa

Because he was massively strong and powerful for his weight, owing to what I think was a naturally brilliant physical structure. Though short of height and reach, Marciano was a human tank with thick, short bones that lent themselves well to absorbing and supporting big forces. As evidenced by his post-career weight gain, Marciano was naturally more than just a bit portly - and his fighting body was trimmed of nearly all fat - but he still looked stocky. Also characteristic of this robust build are mechanically advantaged tendon insertion points and long, thick, if not very defined, muscles. Rocky could have been a power lifter.

When you add huge amounts of stamina you end up with a physical monster. If that physical monster will not back down for shit, then it doesn't need skill to be good. As it turns out, once honed, Marciano was cagey enough to maintain a good hit ratio with anyone, and he, if nobody else, fought fighters who were easily capable of re-teaching him some old textbook stuff - Moore, Charles and Walcott.

[Seamus]

Suzie, I have stated here before that I take Marciano to beat all sub 195 pounders in history with Holyfield being his sternest challenge.

However, the physiogamy lesson that Manassa gives is such utter tripe it makes me want to change my stance entirely.

[PetethePrince]

Originally Posted by Seamus

Suzie, I have stated here before that I take Marciano to beat all sub 195 pounders in history with Holyfield being his sternest challenge.

However, the physiogamy lesson that Manassa gives is such utter tripe it makes me want to change my stance entirely.

We're used to that from you here. Thanks for teaching me a new word at least.

[Seamus]

Originally Posted by PetethePrince

We're used to that from you here. Thanks for teaching me a new word at least.

Who is the "we" you speak for?

[SuzieQ49]

I would pay big money to listen to Seamus on a talk show. The guy is a riot and I agree with most of his opinions. His descriptions on pre 1920s fighters had me laughing for days

[Manassa]

Originally Posted by Seamus

Suzie, I have stated here before that I take Marciano to beat all sub 195 pounders in history with Holyfield being his sternest challenge.

However, the physiogamy lesson that Manassa gives is such utter tripe it makes me want to change my stance entirely.

There was no lesson, just some observations. Everything I wrote rang true with Marciano; he had a combination of attributes that made him a real physical force for his weight. Not everyone built a certain way will display the expected characteristics, otherwise Carlos Monzon would have been stopped a few times, but if you somehow had a natural, neural ability to soak up punishment more than the average man and on top of that you were blessed with a thick skull and neck, you will probably possess some kind of durability. Musclularly, Marciano might have been strong anyway, but with short, thick bones and full muscles this would only have been enhanced (thinner, longer bones with shorter muscles and smaller joints generally do not lift as much). There is no way to prove this now, but from witness and fighter accounts we can gather he was high on the scale for strength, stamina and durability and conversion to punching power. I say it owes a lot to his physique and mentality. Marciano was a natural athlete.

[he grant]

Originally Posted by john garfield

Is the thread subject a question or a statement, SQ?

Perfect ... This guy does not have objective debates , ever ... he states his own positions and attacks anyone who offers a difference of opinion ... be it on Marciano, Vitali or any of his pets ...

[he grant]

Originally Posted by Seamus

Suzie, I have stated here before that I take Marciano to beat all sub 195 pounders in history with Holyfield being his sternest challenge.

However, the physiogamy lesson that Manassa gives is such utter tripe it makes me want to change my stance entirely.

To give Marciano a nod offer any 190 pounder that ever fought based on his record and level of opposition is a huge leap of faith ... I feel Sam Langford would have iced him and there are at least a few others that would have had terrific shots at beating him as well ...