Larry Holmes vs Rocky Marciano

Anyone who thinks this is a one sided fight for Holmes just doesn't understand Marciano's style, his ability, and his greatness. Larry would have to be mentally and physically prepared to go to war to win this one...and Larry usually was prepared.

Great Fight

 

I've seen it and a hell of a lot more .

 

Maybe because Holmes would be bigger, stronger, faster, and younger ?:think

 

And dropped by before.

 

Err, if you read it again, you will see McVey was quoting Marciano. It was him who said " I couldn't avoid Louis' jabs. I just had to take them."

 

I'll say one thing if a prime Holmes couldn't beat someone as small and crude as Marciano, he doesn't deserve anything like a top 20 ranking. It is beyond stupid to compare a prime Holmes with Walcott, Moore, Charles, LaStarza, and Co ckell, at the level or time in their careers when Marciano fought them. 3 were old and past it. One was Euro level, and the other one was good. None of them were anywhere near resembling a prime Holmes.

 

Yes indeed!:good

 

Prime Holmes' legs didn't get tired the 38 year old Walcott's did. He maintained the distance he desired for 15 rounds. Watch the Walcott fight (the one that matters) and see how he slows, gets lazy on the ropes and starts to have balance issues. His old legs were betraying him. Holmes, even when rocked, gathered his balance quickly. Watch how quickly he got back to moving against a relentless Snipes. Watch him dancing in the late rounds against Shavers.

At what price? When discussing Marciano, people often forget the price he would pay for his attack, which seemingly always is supposed to end in a one-punch KO.

My real problems with Marciano here are his reach and his speed. He doesn't deliver his punches with the quickness of a Snipes or Shavers, two guys with 77-78" reaches who reached Holmes from mid-distance with quick rights. Any further inside and Larry was a master of stifling attacks and never really got in danger.

I just think that Holmes offense leaves Marciano at a standstill by round 9... if Rocky's face holds up that long. Until then, it would be a good fight.

 

Holmes could be a good in fighter. Holmes's uppercut turned the tide in many of his fights. Weaver comes to mind.

 

And two knockdowns in 49 fights is pretty good. Marciano got up quickly from both shots, and its not like Holmes hit significantly harder than Walcott or Moore.

 

Two knockdowns from men nearly 40 isn't so good.

 

Depends who they are.

Practically anybody can get decked by somebody like Walcott or Moore!