Just wondering who you have ranked higher ATG wise at heavyweight? I see a lot with both as Top 5 guys, just curious as to who ranks over who for you personally. :smoke
Marciano is overrated. Maybe, you put him in the Top 10, maybe. Holmes is underrated. Ask yourself this... if Holmes fought Rocky's competition, does he go undefeated too? I say yes. In fact, I say yes to many great HW's - Ali, Frazier, Holyfield, Liston, Foreman, Johnson, Dempsey, Louis, etc., etc.. It's not Rocky's fault, he fought the best that was available. But the fact is that he fought light heavyweights and never fought a great, true heavyweight.
I currently rate Marciano at #3 behind Louis and Ali, but have Holmes right at #4. My reasoning is that Marciano defended his title against the #1 and #2 contenders regularly, never dodged a defense and ultimately retired undefeated. He also has multiple wins over hall of famers and for whatever its worth, has the highest KO ratio of any heavyweight ( not a fair comparison when contrasting him to a boxer, but still. ) On the flip side, I can see other people's arguments in support of Holmes. While he never reached 49-0, he had something like 19 title fights as opposed to Marciano's 7. He fought well into old age and defeated a lot of talented men in their primes. Both men have great legacies, but at the moment, I have the rock at 3 and Holmes at 4..
Marciano has a better resume than Holmes imo but Holmes is more skilled than Marciano. Its pretty much a toss up but I give the edge to Marciano.
Holmes is my number three for a long time. But, after one and two, I understand it goes from a little subjective to extremely subjective. I can see an argument for Marciano, Lewis, Frazier, Foreman, etc, all being in that same spot.
Marciano will ALWAYS get the better press from the reporters, but Holmes was the superior fighter on the whole.... IMO.... MR.BILL