What weight class would Rocky Marciano fight in in the present era?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by MixedMartialLaw, Oct 31, 2021.


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  1. MixedMartialLaw

    MixedMartialLaw combat sports enthusiast Full Member

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    Rock was only 5'10" with a 68" reach. It would be easy to think he'd probably just cut weight today and fight at LHW or MW even. However the other way to look at it is, he was a very solidly built 188 lbs. who had no access to modern weight training techniques. So you can perhaps picture him bulking up over 200 lbs with modern training.

    Where would he fight today?
     
    MixedMartialLaw, Oct 31, 2021
    MixedMartialLaw, Oct 31, 2021
    #1
  2. Fogger

    Fogger Father, grandfather and big sports fan. Full Member

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    I'm going to go with the less creative answer and say cruiserweight. As you said, Marciano was solidly built and while there is a better chance he would muscle up to 201 rather than cut to 175 I think he would be best served at his traditional fighting weight.
     
    Fogger, Oct 31, 2021
    Fogger, Oct 31, 2021
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  3. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    My guess would be 175 lbs. He'd make that no problem. Yes, he could bulk and fight at CW, but he wasn't that fast as it was so it would be tough to close the distance with some of the taller guys there and there's not more money in CW any way. With the helo of PEDs and weights he might even bulk up to 220-230 lbs as a HW, but he's till be small and fairly slow to boot.

    LHW is where I reckon he'd have the most success and make the most money, so probably there.
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2021
    Bokaj, Oct 31, 2021
    Bokaj, Oct 31, 2021
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  4. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    With today's nutrition and training, he would have grown into a solid 6' 220lber.
     
    TBooze, Oct 31, 2021
    TBooze, Oct 31, 2021
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  5. djanders

    djanders Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Who knows where he would start out? But I have no doubt that he'd eventually get to the Heavyweight Division, where the most money is. Rocky liked money coming his way!
     
    djanders, Oct 31, 2021
    djanders, Oct 31, 2021
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  6. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Haha this time again?

    168lbs then 175lbs, and no, that is not a controversial statement, and no, Rocky wasn't trained down "like a gazelle" and yes, it is possible he would be heavier and no, he wouldn't "leave it all in the sauna" if he trained down this far.

    And no, nobody can know any of this with certainty, but it is in no way controversial.
     
    McGrain, Oct 31, 2021
    McGrain, Oct 31, 2021
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  7. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    The highest paid fighter in the world hasn't been a heavyweight since Mike Tyson fought Evander Holyfield.
     
    McGrain, Oct 31, 2021
    McGrain, Oct 31, 2021
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  8. djanders

    djanders Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I doubt if Rocky could make it down to Welterweight.
     
    djanders, Oct 31, 2021
    djanders, Oct 31, 2021
    #8
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  9. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Haha, also not necessary though. He just has to be the p4p number one, p4p number one puncher, and a white American. He can make more money than any fighter in the world by a distance just by being himself at whichever weight boxing puts him in.
     
    McGrain, Oct 31, 2021
    McGrain, Oct 31, 2021
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  10. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    LHW because Marciano is in the 185-190 range although he'd be on the more robust side because large LHWs weight about as much as Marciano on fight night. He could fight at Cruiserweight too but he'd be small like he was in his own era
     
    MarkusFlorez99, Oct 31, 2021
    MarkusFlorez99, Oct 31, 2021
    #10
  11. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    Pretty sure he'd be cruiser. He's almost exactly in the sweet spot.
     
    BCS8, Oct 31, 2021
    BCS8, Oct 31, 2021
    #11
  12. Stiches Yarn

    Stiches Yarn Active Member Full Member

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    Rocky was over 200 pounds before he got into boxing.
    Since today we have better (but unhealthy if you know what i mean) nutrition ,no 15 rounds, i think cutting down to 175 would not be very smart,
    Oh and given the fact that the current crap,eeeeeee crop of heavyweight is IMO a sorry lot, he would do very well.
    Actually i believe Rocky even at 184 pounds would have whupped them all so it doesn't matter.
     
    Stiches Yarn, Oct 31, 2021
    Stiches Yarn, Oct 31, 2021
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  13. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I’m thinking cruiser. He’d have to pack on a lot of weight to fight in today’s heavyweight division
     
    mr. magoo, Oct 31, 2021
    mr. magoo, Oct 31, 2021
    #13
  14. Girlfighter

    Girlfighter New Member Full Member

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    I think his career spans a few weight classes. He starts at 168, moves to 175, then to Cruiser. And he gets a belt at each weight. Undeated.... I don't think so, but he'd be damn good at each stop.
     
    Girlfighter, Oct 31, 2021
    Girlfighter, Oct 31, 2021
    #14
  15. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    I suspect probably cruiserweight.
     
    janitor, Oct 31, 2021
    janitor, Oct 31, 2021
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