Joe Louis opponents over 200 in comparison Marciano

Yes and then he would come back and say stuff like that. I’ve heard him go both ways about Dempsey Tunney Louis Marciano.
The clearest opinion was from J Joe Walcott who fought Louis Marciano and Charles and refereed Liston and Ali and attended many fights. He said that Ali could beat all the old legends. He was too tall fast skilled and strong.

 

I ve followed his career since he beat Liston for the title and seen what he’s said. I know how hated he was up until later in his career when the tide turned and everyone even the old time newspaper guys starting loving him.

 

I’m telling you depending on the time and audience he could be more humble about what he said. 95 % of the time he was boasting about how he was the greatest. When he was filming the ‘computer fight’ with Rocky he said something about getting hit on the arms and Rocky fans were gloating about that but when you have to do take after take and part of the illusion is the shorter fighter hitting your arms full force it could have been you doing the punching it could get old for him after awhile. He also said at one point he thought Rocky was the toughest of the old timers and he wasn’t sure he could beat him. I’m sure he didn’t really think that and was just being an agreeable a that time. Why do I know that because I ve heard him before and after that saying he could have beaten all the old guys easily including Rocky. I’ve followed the heavyweights very closely from mid sixties thru early 2000s. Now if you don’t want to believe me that’s fine believe what you want.

 

Wrong about what? You think Ali thought Rocky could beat him?

 

No way Ali thought Rocky could beat him. One man’s opinion.

 

We re basically agreeing I’m just saying I don’t think Ali ever thought for a second he couldn’t whip Marciano or any of the old timers. Maybe you saw Mixedmartialaw ‘s
earlier post on how he said he would totally dominate Marciano. I’ve read or seen videos of Ali commenting on the old timers. One was an old sports writer had him watching Dempsey Tunney fight film and he was adamant they weren’t in his class.

 

Good then we re almost agreeing. I just believe people don’t always say what they believe you apparently think they always do. As far as the guys that were surprised that Rocky’s clumsiness wasn’t that big a handicap I agree but let’s be real those guys couldn’t carry Ali’s jock strap.

 

Very well expressed! Bravo!

 

Ali loved Rocky and I am sure he wanted to build up someone that he genuinely liked and admired. I remember reading somewhere that Ali's first wife said that they only time she ever saw then man cry was when he heard Rocky died.