Marciano at his best (around the time of the Charles/Moore fights) would have put old Foreman into retirement. Old Foreman was too slow. Way too slow to catch Marciano with a knockout punch. He'll get countered and beaten to a pulp by the 10th round. Brutal beating.
Old Foreman not too slow. He takes a beating maybe before landing the punches to put Marciano away, but he still gets it done. After seeing Foreman eat 2500 clean punches in a row from Holyfield still on his feet, I think he survives Rocky's onslaught and lands a well placed punch or two to change Rocky's mind... It will look as if its going one way until all of a sudden it goes the other way. For Foreman. That probably takes 6 or 8 rounds.
He took Holyfield’s punches. Not exactly a Louis/Dempsey/Marciano puncher. This fight can not be won by George imo. He’s dealing with waaaay too much.
Old Foreman was very easy to hit.Sometimes he looked like a fat punchin' bag. I prefer a Marciano UD win.
Marciano could batter out a decision but I wouldn't bet on it. Foreman's strength and his ability to use it to wear down his opponents would take its toll and gas Marciano. I'm not super confident but would lean that way.
I`d take Foreman probably by stoppage. He could push back and or smother Rocky whenever he felt like it. What`s Marciano going to do about it? From the outside Older George used his big jab much more consistently than in his younger years. Foreman was slower but Marciano wasn't exactly fast either. On the inside Foreman`s most potent punches were the uppercuts. Rocky would be in harm`s way in George`s wheelhouse.
He hit hard enough to drop Mercer , and Bowe, and I'd say he compares very favourably with Walcott and Moore for power!
If some 25 year old fighter had emerged in that era, and got identical results to old Foreman, nobody would be giving him a chance against Marciano!
True, but i think Pep fought significantly faster and smaller fighters than the extremely slow 257 pounds fat mountain. In 1991 Holyfield landed 355 punches (including 130 jabs) against Foreman.I think every decent fighter has better defensive skill than the old Foreman's.It was a very poor performance by the 42 years old George.
Have you been honest in your evaluation of old Foreman? The man was slower than molasses. He has a good chin but Holyfield wasn't a puncher like Marciano. Marciano has a higher work rate and hits harder with every single punch. Marciano isn't Moorer. One punch won't save Foreman. If you want to get Marciano out of there you have to bring a sustained attack. That's just my theory because nobody managed to get him out of there ever or even close to out of there.
Rocky is too fast. Way too high paced. One of the hardest punchers ever. Too smart, and would break him down. No way imo Foreman will be able to deal with the angles, mobility, and pressure. Can't see it. He starts having trouble catching Rocky, Rocky continues not having trouble tagging George. Foreman, who will have his moments, eventually covers up and sits down.
Yet he was still able to hit a prime Evander Holyfield quite often. George did have his moments in that fight.