Why Didnt Lastarza Fight The Following?

What's amazing is that, even before his big win against Layne, LaStarza had somehow climbed all the way to #4 in the ratings without ever actually beating a ranked heavyweight.

 

I think most can look on film and see Lastarza was a good fighter. He had a good amateur pedigree and was managed very well. Most good fighters are managed well. Are you suggesting most managers don’t have their fighters avoid certain kinds of fighters? If that’s the bar your setting you have a lot of posts to make as to why so and so didn’t fight abcde

 

You’re right. Perhaps LaStarza’s being given a title shot was largely prompted by the tough effort he gave Rocky in their first meeting and not so much based on what he did in the interim. I guess if nothing else Marciano at least rematched a guy who gave him a hard fight.

 

He was still fighting like an amateur when he fought Marciano. Stiff, very regimented on-guard style, etc. He didn't look relaxed, and he didn't leverage his punches like most accomplished heavyweights do. Not trying to knock him because that was the style which got him where he was, but I was struck by that fact when I re-watched the Marciano-LaStarza fight a couple of weeks ago.

 

Let's say a high point then.

It is understandable that his management were reluctant to risk his #1 ranking, by matching him against Charles or Valdez say.

 

He was discussed as a possible title challenger for Marciano, after Marciano beat LaStarza.

 

On 25/09/1953 Al Weill was quoted as saying that Marciano's next opponent would probably be "ex champion Ezzard Charles, Nino Valdez of Cuba, Dan Bruceroni of Philadelphia, or Don Cockell of England."