Muhamed Ali vs Rocky Marciano prime for prime

Wladimir and Joshua seem pretty coordinated and fast to me. As far as big heavyweights in the 70s go they couldn't even make it into the top 10 and beat fringe contenders. Theres pretty obviously a big gap in ability between them and the guys today. Roy Williams and Al Jones were the best of the big men and they usually weighed under 240 so I'm not sure they even qualify.

 

Ali's stamina wasn't too shabby and he wasn't fighting 37,38 ,and 39 year olds!

 

67 Ali by unanimous decision

 

78 Ali by UD

 

Haha. If Marciano proved one thing, he proved he could breakdown and destroy aging legends...a 78 ali would be no different.

 

There is a huge gulf between Ali and Walcott/Charles... at least at heavyweight. Margheggiano crushed a couple mid-level greats in their dotage not THE GREATEST. Not even that close, actually.

 

Well actually Joe Louis is considered by many as the greatest or near par with Ali and Marciano crushed him. Louis was well past it in 51, but guess what so was Ali in 78. Ali in 78 lost to spinks. He was toast. His reflexes were gone, his conditioning was gone. Spinks got outboxed by Scott LeBum for crying out loud. Could Ali of 78 have even beaten a 51 Louis? That would be a competitive but sad fight


I pick the first fight versions of Charles Moore and Walcott to defeat the 78 Ali. They definitely would have all beaten Leon Spinks

 

Ali is overrated H2H and in any case wasn't great at all in 1978

 

Can you imagine what people would say about Marcianos era if Spinks had become champ? But since it happened in the 70s people gloss over it.

 

Prime Marciano beats every version, except for the mid-late 60's Ali.
Prime Ali beats him on decision or on cuts.

I think prime Ali beats everyone.
This would be one of his closest, and toughest matches.

 

I'm trying to imagine a 36 years old Marciano against2 5years old Spinks and a 35 years old version against32 years old Ernie Shavers.
It would make a change from a 32 years old Rocky against a 39 years old Moore!

 

Can you imagine what people say about Don Cockell being the number 2 contender,and a 38 and a 39 year old being challengers for the title?

 

Would a 36 years old Marciano, who had barely trained have beaten him?

 

Haha

 

74 Ali beats rocky easy