I think both beat Jerry ,but I do remember him saying,! I know I would have beaten Marciano."Possibly it was in the late lamented KO magazine?
If Quarry made it to the last round, he'd have atleast 90 punches to keep fend of to see the final bell. Marciano by stoppage is the only result I can envisage
Most of you guys have zero perspective about comparisons between boxers of different eras. You need to understand population size, integration that iccured after WW II the effect of high speed travel and mass media. Dempsey and Marciano were sub 190 heavyweights. Give me 1 good sub 190 fighter since Ali won title? Dempsey didnt defend sgainst blacks. If he had he would not hsve been considered great he would have lost some and won some. Maciano fought after the war when whites stsrted to move out of boxing snd blacks were just starting to be allowed to be real contenders. But didn't have a generstion brought up from the start to b. So you had old pre war retreds that had revitalized careers since they were better the white fighters and no young black fughters hsd been developed. Msrciano was also matched very carefully. Never fough a good big fighter even by 50s stsndards. The Quarry that beat Lyle and Shavers would have been the heaviest good figter marcisno ever fought (Forget Louis he was s shot 1 armed gighter when he fought Rocky). Also a prime Quarry was not an old shop worn fighter like Louis Walcott chatles and moore. Msrcisno wore those old men out is how he beat them. He could get caught or worn down but chances are quarry by mid to late round tko or decdion just cause Marciano was so tough he over comes 2 inch height 4 inch reach and 20 pound weigh advantage and makes a tough fight of it.
IMO, I don't think Jerry could 'bang' hard enough to hurt Rocky. I great fight but Jerry (as we all know) would opt to slug with Rocky. If no cuts, a Rocky UD. With cuts? It would take a Quarry early shot to cut Rock (imo highly unlikely) and Rock may well cut up Jerry early. In closing, lets not forget eras. An early 50's prime Jerry vs. a late 69 early 70's Rock? I'll take the Rock on a competitive UD or cut stoppage. My $0.02
We've had two light heavyweight champions take the lineal crown since Ali had the title and one who won a version of the heavyweight championship as well. Ali himself was also dropped by a sub 190 pound fighter
I've always been a Quarry fan, but this one ends very badly for Jerry...as in very badly....a brutal 7th or 8th round 2 kd stoppage. Quarry on his knees at the end.
If Jerry was capable of outboxing and outfinessing Marciano like he did Lyle, Spencer and Mathis, why didn't he do it vs Frazier? Marciano would have brought even more pressure, pain and power down on Jerry...and guess what? See my previous post for the answer.
And how much did they weigh when they fought for the heavy title? Spinks worked with micky shilstone a nutritionist and they scientifically added lean muscle and he came in over 200.
The Rock was a champion. Jerry, whether bad luck or not, had numerous shots at some form of the title and came up short. Marciano wins.
Marciano was champion in a weak era and was matched carefully and astutely. Quarry managed as carefully in that era is undefeated and the champ.
So these guys out weighed Rock by 10 to 15 lbs and were super quick superior boxers. They were world class before they had a pro fight. Not a slow 185er coming straight at you trying to win by over powering you. Guy who had 12 fights in the navy 8 - 4. C’mon guy your smarter then that. These Modern fighters are on a whole different level. People have to let go of this fantasy worshisp. Unless you arent interrsted in reality. Rock was grest love em. What he accomplished with what he had is inspiring but a great heavyweight????? Lucky he was s few years ahead of Liston that would have been ugly.