A prime Joe Frazier vs A prime Marciano.Does Frazier even have a chance

Frazier had a far more extensive amateur pedigree than Marciano. Of course he stepped up earlier.

 

True, but Marciano started later and had less amateur experience. Frazier had already won a Gold Medal at that point. The difference in the analogy between Sonny Banks is that Ali definitely filled in more as a man by his next fight against Liston and later defenses. At least in my view that's how he looks which helps explain why his chin seemed to improve.

Frazier was also hurt more often on film as another poster stated. I don't think it's unreasonable to believe Marciano was a little more durable.

Beat me to it. :good

 

Now that I finally saw those rounds, I'm not exactly sure how serious it was the problem. In Frazier's case, even though he didn't face a hard puncher, he received more punishment than Rocky did in my opinion, at the end of an exhausting fight. And it was serious enough for them to stop the fight. So my statement still stands, I'm not sure if Rocky would have gone through the last few rounds in Manilla as Joe did.

About Clay's power, isn't he the guy who knocked out Sonny Liston with a single short punch?

 

Fair enough its not unreasonable. Marciano was tough as nails no question about it.

I just think the first Bonevena fight gets made too much of. It was a huge step up for an inexperianced young pro. Evidence being the rematch where Frazier took it to him for 15 rounds.

On the other hand we dont have as much film on Marciano either so we dont know how many times he got shook on the way up.