Muhamed Ali vs Rocky Marciano prime for prime

As long as Ali keeps this at distance he would dance and jab his way to an unanimous decision

 

Unless someone has a predetermined mindset - unless you have a crystal ball it is very hard to say how one ATG would do from another decade - I hold Ali- Marciano- Louis- etc. highly - they were all great but everyone has their flaws or shortcomings - when you take a snapshot of their primes, its very rare that you actually see 2 prime fighters face each other- Ali-Frazier FOTC may have been one of those rare cases.

I am old enough to remember and see Liston as Champion and old enough to have spoken to some of the great boxing people of decades before me and through the years. When I was younger I thought a young undefeated Foreman was the greatest but now I think Walcott and Tunney and others would beat the version Ali beat. The Fury of the last Wilder fight beat that Foreman but its my guess.

Its pure speculation to be of the strong opinion or think you know for certain when picking a winner when it comes to the era's so I dont think its political - Its just an opinion and I have seen everyone on this board even minds I respect pick wrong in upcoming fights so what would make me think they would be so accurate picking from era that have long past.

I take a snapshot of the fighter in his prime (hard to do when you have end of career fights) but pick who was great in their era and rate them. It takes a lot to be a dominant champion especially when you are fighting champions that still have some life in them.

 

Ali has too much speed, height, reach advantages for Marciano. Marciano has to close allot of distance and if Ali starts clinching him and leaning his 210-220lbs of weight on him and that will tire Marciano out and take away his stamina advantage down the stretch.

Ali was more dominant than Marciano in his own era. When you consider the closeness of some of Rocky's fights compare to Ali being more in control, at least before his second career.

Also while people point to the Frazier comparisons, Ali adapted in the subsequent fights winning a clear decision and ofcourse the Manilla stoppage

 

I tend to think they're both a bit small and their low guard would probably see them come unstuck

 

Much the opposite I would say.

Ali is the greater fighter, and would typically do better against like for like opposition, but Marciano is bringing the stylistic advantage to the table here.

 

This

 

I'm guessing that's a Frazier comparison. But while Ali was open to left hookers like Frazier and Cooper he wasn't tagged by right hands very often and Marciano's was definitely more of a overhand right hand guy than a left hooker.

 

Shavers, Norton, Lyle.

 

Norton had much longer arms, used the jab and left hook extensively and much faster punches. Ali has something like 14 inches reach on Marciano, who do you thinks going to land their right first?

Past his prime too, Ali should of retired in '75

 

Frazier didn't give Ali problems because of his left hook, he gave him problems because of his pressure.

He smothered him, and didn't let him do what he wanted to do.

Marciano would do the same.

 

LOL, Ali was never the same after the exile......

Why dont you put Marciano on ice for a few years and lest see how that works out....

Ali pre exile will do a number on Marciano, the difference in foot speed, fast jabs and crosses will land at will, marciano will never close the distance, the jab alone will him see double.......this is the same Marcinao who had to get of the deck against stone old has beens or needed the eleventh hour hail mary to bail him out against a journeyman, and yes, in bis time walcott was called a journey man.

Clay demolished a prime Liston vs marciano went life and death against Walcott.

Heart and will have nothing to do with it, skills pay the bills........Corrales and gatti had plenty of heart/will but a superior fighter in mayweather made them look stupid and Clay/Ali would do the same to Marciano.

 

Yeah washed Gatti who was also punch durnk!Gatti from late 90s would have a chance of beating Mayweather!
Walcott was guy with great footwork,punching power and punch dodging quality equal to Ali while Liston was flatfooted,slow and easy to hit!

 

Prime Muhammad Ali, 1964-1967, vs Prime Rocky Marciano, 1952-1956, good fight, but my pick s Muhammad Ali by unanimous decision. There would be no Rope A Dope for Ali as this move would be suicide as Rocky had enormous power and stamina. Ali would dance and use his God given attributes to defeat and befuddle Marciano. Ali had footwork, cat like reflexes, stamina, and speed. In those days he could move for 15 rounds without missing a step. Rocky was a good pressure fighter, who could beat up a stationary target by punishing him to the head and body. Marciano did have brittle skin which could prove his undoing against Ali's snappy left that cut up Henry Cooper in their rematch on May 21 1966, easily won by Ali, TKO 6. Ali knowing Rocky's power. would not fight him like he fought George Chuvalo, on March 29 1966, by letting himself get hit by body blows. Ali cuts up Rocky badly during the bout, not even can Al Weill sway the referee during this bout, as in past bouts.

 

No, the left hook was an issue, a right hand without a jab with a 68 inch would be less of an issue. Marciano was very different to Frazier and didn't have the same tools. Ali cleary won the next 2 Frazier fights, so where's the style advantage?

 

Interesting alternate universe you live in