Bob Foster vs Rocky Marciano

Bob Foster, one of the greatest World Light Heavyweight Champions to have lived, deadly left hook, lean body frame, and tall. Champion from 1968-1974. He ventured into the heavyweight ranks, lost to Doug Jones, and Ernie Terrell. Foster got dismantled against World Heavyweight Champion Joe Frazier, on Nov 18 1970, in round 2. Foster tagged Frazier with his vaunted left hook, Joe just smiled, and unleashed his left hooks on Foster to produce a fast knockout. Foster was also stopped by Muhammad Ali, in 1972, in Lake Tahoe, by TKO 8. Rocky Marciano, was an all time great World Heavyweight Champion, 1952-1956, retired undefeated, 49-0, 43 KO's. Again, he fought the the best fighters of his era. A short fighter with enormous power when he struck his opponent's arms and shoulders, to set up his SUZI-Q right hand punch to produce a brutal knockout. He busted the veins in Roland La Starza's arms to score a KO11, on Sept 24 1953, in New York. Rocky, shorter than Foster, would take quite a few left jabs, and get tagged by that devastating left hook by Bob. The pressure would get to Foster, and his thin arms would take a horrible beating trying to protect that very thin rib cage. Foster would not be able to hold up his arms, and tastes the famous SUZI-Q, falling face first in round 3, for the full 10 count. Heavyweights are not for him.

 

Good post.Just one point ,Lastarza had elbow problems going into the fight and, in a Ring interview which I have ,denied he had arm injuries after the bout.
Frazier went back to his corner after the 1st round against Foster and asked Durham what he was doing wrong? Durham told him to keep his head lower,he felt those punches.
ps Foster had most success in the opening round with his right cross.
N.B.Frazier was 209lbs Foster 188lbs, a 21lbs weight advantage for Joe.Marciano would not have that advantage.

 

Good Post, Thanks for the info.

 

This would end suddenly and brutally like his fight with Matthews did. Foster would be moving and jabbing, looking for his chances to uncork his hook or chop Rocky with a right hand. Even if he got those chances, it wouldn't cause Rocky enough pause to not launch his own punches in return. Bob doesn't have the durability to stand up to Rocky's punches and like I said originally, I think he would be brutally knocked out rather abruptly.

 

I'd imagine everyone is aware of this?

 

Foster fought as heavyweight in mid to high 180s. Marciano would have no weight advantage. Foster was tall fast skillful and powerful. Im afraid a prime Foster would have been more dangerous then the 38 yold Walcott or 41 yold Moore. And they both decked Marciano and had him clinching for his survival. I think foster would have torn Marciano up in early rounds. Lets face it Rocky wasn't hard to hit and thats a bad trait when going against a fighter with offensive weapons like Foster. Rockys only chance is if he survives and works the body he might wear down Foster and have opportunity for late stoppage or decision. I would say however that chances are that Foster would have inflicted too much damage and Rocky would be stopped mid to late or lose a decision. Don't be fooled by Fosters early heavyweight losses that was earlier. The Foster that fought Frazier and Ali would have beaten a Doug Jones maybe some others guys he fought like Terrell who were best in division at the time.

 

Bob Foster was a great World Light heavyweight Champion but he always failed against bonafide heavyweights, he could not take their punches, they could always take his. Foster lost to heavyweight fighters like Ernie Terrell, Zora Folley, Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. But sadly I have to agree that Rocky Marciano who took heavier blows than Foster's would win, TKO 4.

 

Marciano would sometimes frequent Martin Querns' Whac-A-Mole Arcade Emporium Spectaculatarium Centre in Missoula, Montana. I don't know if you can frequent something only sometimes, but, if you can, Marciano certainly did. He knew Querns, knew him well, knew him like the back of his hand, which was usually gloved, so that's only modest amounts of knowledge. But knew him, at any rate. He'd say things like "Can you change this from moles to fighters so's I can feel like I'm scoring knockouts?" and Querns be like "You worried about losing your percentage record?" and Marciano be like "Oh, you! Teehee!" Anyway, Foster actually came in one day and challenged Marciano. Not to a fight and not to Whac-A-Mole, which was the sole reason Marciano sometimes frequented this place to begin with which to beganning. He challenged him to see who could spread orange marmalade on an English muffin faster and more neatly. Well, Marciano wasn't going to have that happen unanswered so he took Foster back into Querns' private privacy lounge that was secreted away behind the curtain, away from prying eyes and big-legged thighs.

I won't say who won that day but I will say this: If you know what happened, you'd most assuredly have some thoughts on this match-up. I know I would...because I DO.