Lennox Lewis v Rocky Marciano

maybe I should have said Mercer was not as potent or as capable as Rocky Marciano. Disagree?

That's right, here we go again, get the tape measure out...
Ever heard Angelo Dundee talk about reach during the Holmes Witherspoon fight? Among world class and great fighters this kind of thing levels out. was Mercer as great or effective? Nine times out of ten Put Rocky and Mercer in against the same guy Rocky would land more punches. He was a little shorter but a lot better. Levels out. Rocky only has to land half as many times as Ray did.

Don't have to get round that. Things like work rate, creating openings, feinting and counters, inside game, knockout power eclipse Mercer.

At no point have I favored Rocky in this match up I agree entirely with BCS8 on this. However, Lewis inside game was almost entirely and blatantly illegal like you say is it worth counting?

 

Fighting at a time When the established traditional training and dietary methods would make most modern heavyweights 20-30lb lighter than they would be now....

 

That again? For all we know, someone like Marciano would be sucking weight to make 175 if he fought today.

 

Doubtful. but exactly my point. Nothing in the last 30years would weigh the same in the 1950s and vice versa.

 

Marciano ran 12-15 miles a day and still weighed in at 185. His walk around weight was 215. How is he going to make 175 with his frame?

 

Dieting... and sweating out the 24 hours before weigh-ins?

BTW, have any neutral sources confirmed that Marciano ran 12-15 miles a day, every day?

 

That guy who knocked out the baddest man on the planet also beat a certain Oliver McCall. You know, a few years before McCall knocked Lewis the **** out.

Just saying

 

I have never believed that. I'm sure he ran that far sometimes but not everyday.

 

What frame? He has narrow shoulders and short arms. Many LHWs have been taller, broader, and longer.

 

It's more like the last week before the weigh-in, not just 24 hours.

 

Quote from Jersey Joe Walcott after being asked who hit harder Louis or Marciano: ' Louis was more skilled with combinations and was the greatest finisher in the history of heavyweight boxing, once he had you hurt it was all over. I'd say that in terms of single shots Marciano hit harder, he had no finesse but it was like being hit with a baseball bat.'

Also people seem to think Marciano small reach is a disadvantage ITS NOT. Marciano's small reach allowed him to hit punishing shots on the inside more effectivley. Depsite that it depends on what Lewis turns up for the fight if Lewis performs the way he did against Rahman - Rocky has a good chance of winning if he can land with his suzie Q - if Lewis is focused and in shape then Lewis has a big advantage not because Lewis was necessarily greater than Rocky but because of his obvious physical advantages. This could apply to other past champions though as heavyweights became bigger from the 70s onwards.

 

But... nevermind.

 

Marciano slow feet and never fought any big moveable guys with elusivemess is the end here...even guys like 41 year old tough moore dropped him and gave him hell..this debate is dumb to think the rock beats the majority of actual talent and size after 1960.To address the actual topic on Lennox,well only a fool thinks Marciano wins this and only nostalgic brains would argue..both boredline stupidity,lets be real ...5'11 Marciao with an 68 or so reach vs super strong hitter 6'5 250 with an 83 inch reach why is this even a question when we can see Marciano struggle with guys who wouldnt even be a 17 year old Lewis sparring partner?:hammertime

 

I never said Marciano would win but to discount him on the basis of his size and having slow feet ( despite beating JJW and Ezzard Charles twice who could both move pretty well) is to discount Joe Louis, Jack Johnson ( only 1 inch taller than Marciano and won the heavyweight title at 192 pounds -) and other greats who weren't able to reach the size of Lewis. Marciano is no exception to other greats of the past in being way inferior to Lewis's physical advantages. If anyone from pre-1960 has a chance to beat Lewis though I would go for Marciano or Dempsey. Joe Louis was great but he was vulnerable to knockdowns more easily than even Marciano. and although Louis was past it when he fought and lost he said of Marciano ' He doesn't fight by the book but he hits you with a whole library - the hardest puncher I've ever faced in the ring'

Its not all about size at heavyweight - did you see the problems Frazier gave Ali and Buster Mathis and Joe Bugner ( 6ft 4inch and had an 84inch reach!) - did you see what Dempsey did to giants - did you know Muhammad Ali said Marciano would give him more problems than Frazier would.

Lewis would win but Marciano was a tough fight for any ATG. If you dismiss Marciano you might as well dismiss every heavyweight before Ali.