Marciano v Liston's Best Opponents?

I also thought about if this spans over the same time period with development along the way, or just prime Rocky.

Over years, Rocky picks up a loss or three before being chopped up by Ali.

If it's prime, he probably beats all but Ali.

 

The same Eddie Machen that was knocked out in one round by Ingo?

I think you are being generous, here.

 

Marciano isn’t having trouble w Machen. He beats him handily. I actually think he runs through all and even gives a young Cassius hell. Maybe wins that one (I don’t think he beats a slightly older version that would destroy the division before being banished). Patterson’s the biggest threat besides Ali but his chin let’s him down here eventually

 

I definitely think Rocky would have trouble with Machen unless he caught him early ala Ingo which I don't think would happen here.

Machen approached Ingo without caution and had no respect for his power. He wouldn't make the same mistake against Marciano.

Marciano is definitely the favorite, and would likely get a stoppage but I doubt this would be a walk in the park for him.

 

I don’t think walk in the park. Machen was an excellent fighter. It’s only Marciano had beaten better. I think the Williams fight would have been better then Liston v Williams.

 

But Machen lost to Harold Johnson right?

Didn’t 38 year old Archie Moore knock out a better version of Harold in 1954?

and Walcott was 38 but heavyweight champion of the world with a one punch knock out over a hall of fame champion. Did Machen ever win a world championship?

 

True. If Ali said it himself after considering all the greats then its for a reason. Ali- size , speed , athletic , quickness ,agility vs Rocky- powerful, stamina, durable, relentless bull.
With these two having two completely different styles this fight could go either way. Imho

 

Again, timeline is an issue. Assuming close to prime Rocky in all fights, I guess he'd beat all of them outside of Ali and maybe Patterson in rematch (as he'd be older already). I think Machen is tricky, but not more so than what Rocky faced. I don't have a lot of faith in Williams or Valdes, they were too one dimensional for Rocky and had big weaknesses (chin for Williams, defense for Valdes) to survive 15 rounds with Rocky.

In more realistic timeline, Rocky would probably lose a fight or two before Ali fight. He was built for different career than Liston.

 

Not even if your God had a baseball bat.

 

I'd favor Rocky over all of them except Ali. That wouldn't be a foregone conclusion either as Ali definitely improved afterwards. Fair chance he might visit the canvas against the sharpness and power of Patterson but i'd back him to get home.

 

He was able to last with Liston the distance though. If he came in with the proper amount to respect for Marciano's power he could probably make it close. Eddie also took Joe Frazier into the 10th round on memory as he was shot.

 

You mean Roy Harris from Cut N Shoot Texas?

 

You don't think that Williams might blast him out early if he lands the type of shots he did vs Sonny? I guess it depends on how good Rock's chin truly was. I don't question his heart or stamina but we never saw him in with a puncher quite like Cleveland at or near his prime.

 

Marciano is a completely different fighter to Liston. Marciano would be far lower and a much different target. The converse is that Marciano could well get Cleve out of there early.

 

Yea it's true that Marciano would likely grind Williams down if it goes any length of rounds. Rocky was shorter but Cleveland could put together hooks and uppercuts in combinations pretty well for a big heavyweight. His hand were pretty fast as well. Rocky would be an inviting target.
I'm not saying it's a lock that he gets him but a possibility.