Ali vs Marciano: 1950's style

Marciano would out hustle Ali in a close fight.

 

watching a prime Ali in with Frazier and Bonavena I see he had a rough time against both. I believe Marciano was better than Frazier and Bonavena, he had 2 fisted power over Frazier and Marciano was a harder puncher than Bonavena. What Marciano shared with Frazier was pressure and heart great stamina and late power and what he shared with Bonavena was that awkward aggression but Oscar tired late into the fight Marciano did not. Ali handled the bigger men but smaller guys like Doug Jones were a challenge

I think Marciano beat him prime for prime but could go the other way a series may go back and forth and kill both men by fight 3 or 4...Ali himself stated Marciano would be harder than Frazier and I agree...this would be a fight between 2 ATG top 3 heavyweights and they are matched up perfectly

 

And I think that my pick of Ali is consistent with that statement... as Ali was truly one of a kind also.

"Demolish" is obviously overstatement meant to counter balance the knee jerk pick of the usual suspects of Marciano. The problem with this match-up and why the Frazier ****ogy doesn't work is that Frazier was much faster of foot and had much better balance than Marciano. Given Ali's off-the-charts hand speed and light feet, this would be extremely problematic in any ring.

 

Well I picked Ali to beat Marciano. Especially the 64- 67 Ali who had blazing speed.

 

In this scenario, I wonder if the added bulk of a 70's version Ali wouldn't be better to absorb Marciano's power. Over 15 rounds and in this smaller ring, speed won't save Ali from punishment for long.

 

I would go for a younger Ali giving Marciano a very difficult target. Ali by a UD.

 

Ali all day, every day. Prime for prime? Who could really touch Ali in his prime?

 

Yup. We agree.

I think the comeback Ali beats him, also.... Too much toughness and guile to go along with still impressive speed.

 

We have the equivalent of MMA gloves being worn in a ring 5.5 yards long and wide over 15 rounds. How does Ali win. I'm not saying he won't, but what's his game plan? This is a swarmer's paradise, and Ali wasn't comfortable being pressed. That's why he insisted on a 21 foot ring or no fight against Frazier. How does he game-plan for a 16.5 foot ring, 15 rd, MMA equivelent gloves?

 

I keep reading how the gloves do not test out to make a difference.
Anyway do you know that the referre wondered why Ali fought Foreman in a
"phone booth"? And the bounciness favored Foreman.

Ali had great respect for Marciano, said he was better than Frazier.
And their fantasy staged fight happened many years after Rocky had retired.

Yet any ring permitted would be enough for Ali to outmaneuver him, even if the pressue would cause him some tough moments.

Yes the size, speed & accuracy gap would be too much to overcome.

 

You guys keep forgetting that Ali himself picks Marciano to win this fight. Just liste to the end

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RXFskvwKko

 

Marciano couldn't beat a prime Ali even if they fought in a phone box, never mind a 16' ring. Too much class, and too many super quick slashing punches, EVERY ONE of them landing on Marciano's face turning it into pizza.

Marciano. " I didn't believe a guy that big, could hit that fast."

Talking about Ali.

 

Quite possibly yes...the motivated 70s Ali. But if the version of Ali showed up trying to rope a dope Marciano...he would get battered. He better move, rope a dope won't work

 

Not advisable, no sir.

 

Although somewhat similar to Frazier the thing he lacked what Joe had was hand and foot speed, this is what troubled Ali the most.