Marciano doesn't retire.

well i have no idea, lol

however, this is a cool match up (been done a million times but whatever) ,,, this could turn into a death match with these two,,,,,

Liston has a bit of size over the rock and a lot of length but maybe the Rocks grit/stamina etc could overcome it?

i would take Liston in a 15rd blood bath thinking that at least Listons jab starts scoring against the rock.

 

I just can't see Marciano at that age surviving the onslaught from Liston, he gets battered and stopped imo.....

 

5 years is a ton of wear and on Rocky, dog years and Liston is still 7 years younger.

 

Yes, but Rocky won by attrition and relied on intense training. His back was already disabling him at times.

 

Considering Marciano's style, 37 is old. At that point in time, Liston by ko.

 

Liston by KO.

 

I think its likely that by 1957 or 1958, he picks up a loss somewhere down the line. And it wouldn't even necessarily have to be against some of the bigger suspects. Eddie Machen might have been a threat to him by that point. Rocky was already a few weeks shy of 32 years old and having back problems by the time he fought Moore in 55'. His fighting style and body type wasn't a good fit for old age.. He might have beaten a green Patterson in 1956.

 

Yeah I heard it mentioned several times. Trying to find a source to post. He apparently considered a comeback in 1959 when Johannson was holding the title, but after about a month of training decided against it.

 

With a bit of time on my hands I looked at this as if Marciano continued fighting in his usual pattern of 2 title defenses a year (probably March and September just for giggles and allowing for the fact the fight had to be signed and then the start of training) and looking at the top boys with all their real time results.

1956

-Bob Baker - a good fighter but a bit lazy in training. He would come in in top shape for Rocky and give a good account of himself, but I think Marciano would take him late.

-Floyd Patterson - I see Patterson way ahead on points and Rocky fairly cut up, but like the Baker fight, Rocky lowers the boom late.

1957

-Hurricane Jackson or Harold Carter - great fights but Rocky doesn't have an issue despite his advancing age.

-Nino Valdez - I think Al weill would have taken the Valdez match rather than a Willie Pastrano match because by this time everyone knew that Nino was fairly stationary and Willie could have been a bad fight with movement. Still, Nino puts in a good attempt but Rocky stops him in 11 or 12.

1958

-Eddie Machen
-Zora Folley - in both these fights Rocky's in a bit of trouble. He's around 35 years old taking on Folley, who handled the Marciano style in Chuvalo and Bonavena - and Eddie machen, whom I think is a bit more dangerous in this fight, although I think Zora had a bit more skill. But Zora didn't have as strong a chin as Machen. Both very talented and I'm going to abstain from a pick in this one because this is toooooo tight for the aging Rock.

1959

-Ingemar Johannson - Bombs away, but Rocky could still take this in about 5 rounds of real action.

-Sonny Liston - I think this fight would have taken place at this time. I am assuming a lot here but it's just for fun. BTW, Sonny would have been too much for Rocky at this point in time.

Again, so many variables at play. Would Al Weill steer Rocky clear of tough defenses? He did seem to steer him clear of Baker and Valdez and I went with the cream of the crop in the ratings. Anyways, that's my take.

 

Hate to pick against Marciano, but this post ^ is spot on. Marciano's style would not age well unfortunately. I suspect Liston would probably tear Old Marciano a new one. That's assuming that the wear and tear hadn't got him before that. Rocky was wise to call it a day when he did.

 

I actually always fancied that Marciano would have fallen somewhere between Patterson and Liston.

If I had to have a stab at it, I might guess Eddie Machen.

 

Rocky wasn't invincible. The punches that put Rocky on the canvas were ones he didn't see coming by crafty fighters. Liston wasn't a crafty trickster like Moore and Walcott. That being said I don't think Rocky goes 15 rounds with Liston but he doesn't get knocked out either. I say the fight gets stopped on cuts while Marciano takes a beating but never gives in.