Marciano's 49-0 record, is it legit??

Amateur and professional fights are different events - different distances and rules. The amateur defeat coming after a professional bout should not have any effect on his pro record. If Rocky's record were 49-1, I believe it would tarnish his legacy some, depending on when and to whom it occurred. I don't believe the amateur defeat should count; if the one defeat were at the end, say to a Floyd Patterson, it would be more detrimental to his reputation.

 

by all acounts he lost to lastraza in there first fight.

 

Its legit cause the Rock put 49 fighters out..without suffering a loss. Probably one of the most legit in the history of the sport..

 

If you're looking to dispute his undefeated record look at primary sources regarding the first bout with Lastarza.

Still, he 'avenged' that 'loss' so he'd probably get the 'Lennox Lewis pass' anyway.

 

"Tiger" Ted Lowry too.

 

Oh, yeah. Back when 'journeyman' wasn't a derogatory remark.

 

You can pick holes in any record.

He did what was required and did it in exciting fashion.

 

I don't think that's the question being asked mate. Not really 'picking holes' either IMHO.

 

By some accounts, not all accounts. There are plenty of close decisions on even the best fighters' records.

To suggest that Marciano was a protected entity early in his career is just silly. He wasn't even considered a contender worth protecting.

 

It wouldn't make me think of him as lesser or detract from his achievements but it would take away his mythical 'zero'

 

Marciano is not in the top ten imo because he had a "Zero" on his record. Had he lost a early fight or fought past his prime and lost to say Patterson or Liston if he got that far, he would still be a top ten guy because he clean out his era as champ, and lost to the next gen of fighters. Like Louis or Tyson imo.

 

Always found this quote amazing about Marciano's punching power.

If Marciano had fought Patterson and had beat him before retiring at 50-0 do you think that he would be respected more highly as an ATG? Or should Marciano be respected mroe because he understood that he was declining and retired at the top of his game?

 

well, 43 of those men were legitimately KO'd and from all the 1st hand accounts I have heard from eye-witnesses Marciano won the other 6 decisions pretty convincingly, although at this point in time people are making the closer wins losses. When he fought Lastarza, Roland was a big star in NY, my uncles were rooting for Roland but they all felt the knock-down and the harder punches won the fight for Marciano. As far as tough Ted Lowry... Marciano was a clear winner but Lowry was a winner also by going the distance vs the young green star. Charles was a competitive fight but Marciano was a clear winner.

 

Marciano was smart getting out when he did. And yes,his record in the pro ranks is legit.