What is your opinion of the Cockell-Marciano fight?

But a #2 is not a gimme. It just isn't. There continues to be this weird inversion of values around here where guys like Larry Holmes that bragged about ducking are lauded, and Marciano is accussed of a "gimme" for fighting his #2.

#2 is not a gimme.

 

Cockell might have done better than been just a tough punching bag for Marciano if he tried harder to get into shape for his one an only shot at the title

 

I’d have to rewatch but from what I recall, it looked like a very messy fight, with Rocky committing fouls like there was no tomorrow.

 

Exactly, and why did “The Rock” have to resort to even dirtier tactics, against a non - threatening, light punching opponent with an inflated ranking. He did everything, but kick him on the head!

 

So you base the credibility of the match on the NBA ranking Cockell no2? Not on his actual results.
I'm accusing Marciano of nothing ,I'm flat out stating the defence was a gimmee and that's why the US press totally panned the match.
Here are the rankings for that year.
Marciano Champ
1.Valdes .The fight Marciano should have taken.
2,Cockell.
3.Charles.
4.Baker.
5.Walls.
6.Neuhaus.
7.Layne.
8.Jackson.
9.Norkus,
10.Slade

Cockell fought just two of them ,Valdes and Slade, both bombed him out with ease.
Of the other 7 ,how many do you think Cockell would have beaten?

 

Well what does it tell you that the current #2 contender was seen as a gimme defense?

 

I see in the Cockell fight the first signs of Marciano's decline from his peak. It's quite possible that Rocky saw this too. I theorize that his next fight, with Archie Moore, confirmed to Rocky that he was slipping and he retired. He had other reasons for hanging 'em up. He said he wanted to be with his family more. But then he quickly got bored with trying to be a family man. The Rock liked action. He enjoyed the benefits of being in the public eye and in those days a man's indiscretions weren't reported much, especially those of sports figures.

 

One thing is for sure...Cockell stood up at took it. Sonny Liston QUIT for a hell of a lot less!

 

When you have a bulldozing style like Marciano had...you can't stay around forever...he retired before his powers had left him! 49-0

 

Yes, but again, that's who the ratings board put in front of him. For right or wrong, those are the guys he has to beat.

 

That Cockell achieved such a ranking shows the paucity of talent in the era, and why Marciano was as successful as he was.

Still, had the bout been in London and not SF Rocky would have been DQ'd.

 

He looked pretty average against Don and this sped up his decision to retire no doubt, he didn't look like the same Rocky and he knew it.

 

Liston lives rent free in your head doesn’t he?

 

Would like to note that Cockell had a kidney condition that caused him to water retain. His bloaty appearance was not necessarily indicative of his overall conditioning.