Anyone saying size is not a factor needs to watch more fights. Or maybe actually get in the ring and try boxing.
And I've seen lots of guys quit sitting on their stools that went through a lot less than Rocky did...how many guys today would continue after having the snot beat out of him like Rock did against JJW in '52...and winning the title by KO in the 13th?...or not quit after having you nose split open down to the BONE in the 2nd Charles fight in Sept.1954?...In day and age of "safety first" boxing?....not many!!!
i did...back in the 1960's. You don't need to have boxed...it's like telling a college history prof."You can't be an expert on Abe Lincoln because you didn't live in 1864 ".....again...this is all a matter of opinion!!!
Has anyone suggested that Marciano did not have a great deal of courage and will? That does not mean he had a monopoly on it!
Size should be the last thing to consider. So many more technical issues to explore and compare which really separate the men from on the boys or the good fighters vs the ATG.
Boxing is a skill sport. Thus skill and styles need to be considered first. There is a long history of smaller hwts beating much larger Hwts. It's all about relative skill and style. A great swarmer can completely negate a size and reach difference. Reach in fact does not mean you out jab a smaller opponent. Not at all. Landing a jab is all about speed, timing, and skill.
We are talking hwt not lighter divisions. Your obsession with weight reveals your lack of boxing knowledge. Lighter fighters did well for numerous reasons on Jeffries time. Rings were generally huge and canvas fast. Plus excessive road work was the main staple of conditioning training so 20 plus rounds could be completed. All these fighters in their prime were ridiculously cut to a very low body fat %. Learn the sport before writing MMA and WWF jibberish.
What are you then, a pro? From where did you get this "come back to win" criteria? Do you really believe that a fighter isn't an ATG until/unless he comes back to win a fight he's losing?
ATG is defined by exceptional abilities. Beyond the ordinary. Among these attributes are Will to win Toughness Ability to take punishment and not quit no matter what These attributes are best exemplified during the toughest of encounters where a fighter is badly hurt, punished, losing and via intrinsic abilities that are over and above learned skill they find a way to win. Examples of this? Ali beating Frazier in Manila. Louis coming back to KO Conn Dempsey coming back to beat Sharkey Jeffries coming back to beat Fitz and Corbett. Beating Sharkey. Holmes beating Norton
Joe Louis proved that he's an ATG heavyweight by being outboxed over the course of 12 rounds by 174-lb Billy Conn?