Rocky against fighters Frazier beat

Marvelous_Iron · Apr 30, 2026

Obviously Ali, but I think Bonavena would be entertaining and exciting, possibly FOTY material, he's been in deep water with the best of them, Marciano wins but it would be a great slugfest with technical inside moments

MaccaveliMacc · May 1, 2026

Marvelous_Iron said: ↑

Obviously Ali, but I think Bonavena would be entertaining and exciting, possibly FOTY material, he's been in deep water with the best of them, Marciano wins but it would be a great slugfest with technical inside moments
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Hell yeah, Marciano vs Bonavena would be a barn burner!

Bokaj · May 1, 2026

Dynamicpuncher said: ↑

As I said in the other thread these fantasy scenarios don't work because realistically Marciano wouldn't be in his prime for every single one of these fights.

It took until Marciano's 25th professional fight until he started fighting notable Heavyweights.

Marciano got a gift decision against journeyman Ted Lowry in his 21st professional fight.

You don't think a pre prime Marciano having to fight the likes of Oscar Bonavena, Eddie Machen, Doug Jones. In his 12th, 13th, 14th, professional fights back to back couldn't pick up a loss somewhere ?

And then when Marciano does reach his prime he has to face Ali in FOTC who he's not beating.

Then he has to face arguably the worst stylistic match up ever for him in Foreman who he stands 0 chance against.

How does a past his prime Marciano react to losing to Ali and getting KO'ed by Foreman ? and then having to face a 6'4 220+ pound Bugner who fought the fight of his life vs Frazier ?

So to answer the question if we're following a realistic timeline of Frazier's career.

A pre prime Marciano could pick up a loss to some of the tough opponents Frazier fought early in his career.

Marciano would definitely lose to FOTC Ali.

And a past his prime Marciano could lose to an in form Bugner.

Marciano would probably have more wear and tear than Frazier aswell against all these opponents.

He's smaller, cuts easier, and is easier to hit.
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Yes, if Rocky would replicate pro Frazier's career he'd certainly pick up losses early on. Bonavena. Jones, Machen and Chuvalo within about his first two years would be very tough.

But due to his lesser amateur pedigree there's little reason to believe he'd be matched like that. More that he would be matched in the pace he was in real life, so he doesn't mix up with ranked contenders until 69-70.

InMemoryofJakeLamotta · May 1, 2026

Dynamicpuncher said: ↑

As I said in the other thread these fantasy scenarios don't work because realistically Marciano wouldn't be in his prime for every single one of these fights.

It took until Marciano's 25th professional fight until he started fighting notable Heavyweights.

Marciano got a gift decision against journeyman Ted Lowry in his 21st professional fight.

You don't think a pre prime Marciano having to fight the likes of Oscar Bonavena, Eddie Machen, Doug Jones. In his 12th, 13th, 14th, professional fights back to back couldn't pick up a loss somewhere ?

And then when Marciano does reach his prime he has to face Ali in FOTC who he's not beating.

Then he has to face arguably the worst stylistic match up ever for him in Foreman who he stands 0 chance against.

How does a past his prime Marciano react to losing to Ali and getting KO'ed by Foreman ? and then having to face a 6'4 220+ pound Bugner who fought the fight of his life vs Frazier ?

So to answer the question if we're following a realistic timeline of Frazier's career.

A pre prime Marciano could pick up a loss to some of the tough opponents Frazier fought early in his career.

Marciano would definitely lose to FOTC Ali.

And a past his prime Marciano could lose to an in form Bugner.

Marciano would probably have more wear and tear than Frazier aswell against all these opponents.

He's smaller, cuts easier, and is easier to hit.
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An over the hill Henry Cooper did reasonably well vs a prime Bugner. I believe it was Cooper's last fight. I know you have the difference in styles a boxing math isn't perfect, but a prime Henry Cooper wouldn't beat the Rocky of 1955 who beat Moore and despite his size, can't see Bugner defeating Rocky.

Bokaj · May 1, 2026

InMemoryofJakeLamotta said: ↑

An over the hill Henry Cooper did reasonably well vs a prime Bugner. I believe it was Cooper's last fight. I know you have the difference in styles a boxing math isn't perfect, but a prime Henry Cooper wouldn't beat the Rocky of 1955 who beat Moore and despite his size, can't see Bugner defeating Rocky.
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But he's talking about a Rocky in his 9th year as a pro after fights against Ali and Foreman. So that would be Rocky in his final year, with the mileage of fighting those two.

Dynamicpuncher · May 1, 2026

Bokaj said: ↑

But he's talking about a Rocky in his 9th year as a pro after fights against Ali and Foreman. So that would be Rocky in his final year, with the mileage of fighting those two.
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Yeah exactly that's I'm trying to say.

Would a prime Marciano be a favourite over Bugner ? Of course.

But when you take into account Marciano would have 9 years of wear and tear if we're following Frazier's career path. Taking into account Marciano's actual career was only 8 years I believe.

So Marciano would be coming off losses to Ali, Foreman, and I think most people would agree Marciano loses these fights.

He then has to fight a Bugner who's alot bigger than him who fought arguably the best fight of his career vs Frazier.

There's alot of questions.

How does Marciano react to losing as a professional ?

How much wear and tear would he have at this time ?

It's not out of the realms a past his prime Marciano coming off losses with alot of wear a tear loses to an in form Bugner.

Bokaj · May 1, 2026

Dynamicpuncher said: ↑

Yeah exactly that's I'm trying to say.

Would a prime Marciano be a favourite over Bugner ? Of course.

But when you take into account Marciano would have 9 years of wear and tear if we're following Frazier's career path. Taking into account Marciano's actual career was only 8 years I believe.

So Marciano would be coming off losses to Ali, Foreman, and I think most people would agree Marciano loses these fights.

He then has to fight a Bugner who's alot bigger than him who fought arguably the best fight of his career vs Frazier.

There's alot of questions.

How does Marciano react to losing as a professional ?

How much wear and tear would he have at this time ?

It's not out of the realms a past his prime Marciano coming off losses with alot of wear a tear loses to an in form Bugner.
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Frazier had an impressive come back after Foreman. Sure Bugner was not a puncher, but he was very tall for the era, moved well and had a good jab. Then Ali and after that Quarry, who was on perhaps his best run. An old Ellis was more of a stay busy fight, but then Ali and Foreman back to back. Imagine a fighter today having six fights like that over three years after suffering one of the brutal beat downs in boxing history.

I think Rocky had the same mental toughness, but he would be older at the same amount of years as a pro.

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Rocky against fighters Frazier beat

Favourite over Rocky around his prime?

Bonavena

Quarry

Ellis

FOTC Ali

Bugner

Other

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Rocky against fighters Frazier beat

Favourite over Rocky around his prime?

Bonavena

Quarry

Ellis

FOTC Ali

Bugner

Other

None

Marvelous_Iron Active Member Full Member

MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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