Marciano v Ali v Liston

I agree Marciano was a “light hitter” compared to Liston and would flat out quit after being hopelessly outclassed by Ali but show some respect.

 

Ali

Liston

 

Prime Ali wins either UD or late round stoppage

Prime Liston KOs Rocky within 3-5 rounds.

 

Ali and Liston would win although not without a couple of scares along the way

 

He'd probably tko him on cuts in the late rounds imo.

 

Marciano gets stopped by both, Ali and Sonny: KO or TKO.

Anyway, as already mentioned Marciano is not a quitter, so he is going to keep the fight interesting for a while... but he is going to absorb a lot of punishment and the end of the fight is not going to be pretty.

 

Marciano had a steel chin according to Goldman and I believe it. Liston is a different animal but Marciano might be the rings ultimate animal. I favor liston by late stoppage or more likely unanimous decision but no way does he stop Marciano early. Marciano was an absolute maniac and wouldn’t be scared like Patterson was

 

Ya know marciano would be outgunned here by a prime Ali and prime liston who were two of the best heavyweights ever and enjoyed monster physical advantages over Rocky.

That said, it’s amazing how many posters feel the need to downright attack everything about Marciano when pitted against other heavyweights. Let me say this…P4P, I couldn’t name more than 1-2 fighters 185lb or below who I would favor over Marciano in a head to head matchup…which makes Marciano one of the greatest fighters who ever lived p4p. And if you don’t believe me, pop in round 6 Vs Archie Moore and name me 5 men in history below 185lb who could handle that type of work rate, punching power, toughness, and unorthodox assault…you can’t.

 

185lbs and below? Maybe Langford?

 

Steel can still be dented, especially if it's a bad matchup, there is a considerable size difference, and the opponent has battering ram punches.

Doesn't matter if you're scared or not when you have so many things going against you. Gene Fullmer wasn't scared of Robinson and had a steel chin but was KOd. Shawn Porter wasn't scared of Crawford and had taken tons of punishment in other fights without being stopped, yet Crawford stopped him. Bonavena wasn't scared of Ali and was a durable as a boulder and yet he got stopped.

Liston might be one of the worst opponents in history for Rocky. The only thing Rocky has over Liston is fighting spirit and that can only take you so far.

 

I know people don’t want to hear it but Marciano probably beats one of them. I don’t think both but I’ve been around long enough to realize many fights don’t go the way you’d think they’d go.

 

This i actually agree with. I think there's probably very few people under 190 lbs who could hang with Rocky. When it comes to fighters his own size he was devastating and top 5 p4p.

I just don't see him beating tall guys 30-50 lbs heavier who also have speed and skill advantages. He'd struggle just to get in range let alone win. I don't give him much of a chance outside of a punchers chance unless the guys glass jawed and/or doesn't have the tools to keep Rocky off of him.

 

That of course is no reflection on Rocky,I'd pick Dempsey to beat him and make him and Langford a toss up,can't think of anyone under that weight range I would make favorite to beat him.