Marciano fought dirty

If you have not noticed boxing is a very rough sport. As a slugger/swarmer Marciano was especially rough. When you are rough sometimes you break a few rules. Goes with the territory.

 

Most of it seems calculated to me but that’s a very sensible assessment.

 

This. I don't think I've ever seen a world champion that didn't break the rules from time to time.

 

Harry Greb is considered as one of the dirtiest boxers but he's one of the GOAT. Being dirty is part of the sport even if you don't like it, just look at Andre Ward.

 

Greb liked to hold and hit. I’ve read that he did so in every one of his bouts.

 

Tyson attempted to break numerous opponents arms in clinches, but off an opponents ear.

Holyfield used his head like a surgeon.

Breaking rules is not uncommon.

 

It's amazing how shallow some of the attempts are here to bait people into an argument. Why didn't you just cut to the chase and come in here and say "Marciano was a big poopy-head?"

 

Wow what a Cokkell.
Fake hero.

 

Don't know how you can even begin this conversation without thinking of Gene Fullmer. He and Saddler get my vote.

 

Being dirty, and getting away with it, is an art form in itself.

In boxing, it's not cheating if you don't get caught.

 

If Fullmer is in the conversation then i also nominate Basilio

 

I absolutely, 1000%, as a boxer, agree with this statement.

If you're good at cheating its just another trait. If the ref isnt seeing it just return in kind, thats my philosophy anyways

 

Yep. Some inside moves are also very borderline.

I never push the boundary in sparring, however nasty it's gets, unless someone does it to me first though.

 

Fritzie Zivic once wrote an impassioned defense of fouling, in which he argued that all of the great fighters of history were dirty fighters, and that fouling was a sublime art of the sport!