floyd patterson vs rocky marciano in 1956

Then why did nobody ever repeat the feat?

He also lost to Marty Marshal, who was no better than some of the people Marciano fight in the way up.

I see it differently, but we will never know.

 

Rocky would have KO'ed Floyd. Patterson had a weak chin and would never have been strong enough for Rocky.

 

Not in 1956. Patterson looked fantastic vs Moore but Floyd’s biggest weaknesses’ were masked because of a perfect stylistic matchup. A young Floyd lacked confidence, had a weak chin, and was unproven when taken into deep waters. If Marciano in 1956 was anything like the one who fought Moore in 1955, he would have broken Floyd down and finished him off. Definitely some early struggles with Floyds handspeed and combinations providing a huge challenge that Marciano had never seen before. Marciano would have risen to the occasion and by round 9..Floyd would be hanging on for dear life and Marciano would smell blood in the water

A young Floyd would have been a huge scalp on Marciano’s resume. Unfortunately D’Amato didn’t really make his move until Rocky was ready to get out.

 

Floyd KO4. Too much speed, too much youth, too much athlete.

 

I agree with you in general about Rocky in '56. He's no longer the specimen who knocked out Louis and in his final two knockouts he looked sloppy and old. I agree that he probably knew he was slipping and he figured he could make a living as an ex-champ. Guys would offer him business opportunities just so they could be seen in his company.

Cus D'amato had a plan to wait Rocky out. He knew that time was on Floyd's side. If they could wait until 1957, Floyd would continue to mature and gain weight and strength. Then he'd be ready for Rocky. Young Floyd trusted his manager and agreed to be patient. But then Rocky retired and never second-guessed his decision -- UNTIL Johansson upset Patterson in 1959. Only then did he decide to hold some secret workouts, to see if he had enough left to stage a comeback.He tried to explain this later as coming from a feeling of patriotism, which I never found convincing. I believe Marciano didn't relish the thought of risking his perfect record against someone with Patterson's speed but thought that he could beat Johansson if he was anything like his old self. But then he found he didn't have the hunger he would have needed.

Oh, and by the way, I agree that Eddie Machen also would've given Rocky trouble. He was a good defensive boxer, strong and fearless, with quick hands and decent power. In 1956 Machen was accumulating knockouts and seemed to be on a collision course with Patterson, but had he fought Marciano that year when he wasn't yet considered ready, I think he might have surprised the world. But Eddie never had much luck. He fought many years as a contender but never got a title shot.

 

If Marciano could have gotten into his usual condition,he ko's Floyd .

 

For whatever it is worth, I don't think that Patterson was going to be fight number 50.

Opponent # 50 would have been someone pretty underwhelming, such as Pastrano or Jackson, and it would likely have drawn a disappointing gate.

Very often when dominant champion retires, it is not obvious who the key names of the next generation are, and it only becomes obvious much later.

 

Hello, combatesdeboxeo.

If Rocky had decided to fight Floyd Patterson as #50 in 1956, and Floyd's people had agreed to the fight, then that is a little too soon for Floyd and a little too late for Rocky. Under those circumstances, and considering the styles, I will go with the more experienced fighter and pick Rocky to win. A stoppage would be the most likely outcome in Marciano's favor.

 

Not happening.

IIRC it was stated by Patterson and others that Cus deliberately was waiting for Rocky to retire before moving Floyd into HW.

So, nope, Floyd is not fighting Rocky, never ever. Too risky a fight.

 

Rocky fought his number one contender all but once. Not sure why it would be different for 50.

 

Marciano wins by a brutal knockout, which is why Cus D'Amato waited for Marciano to retire before Patterson moved up to heavyweight.

 

Probably depends on when in 1956. Floyd was very young and improving all the time. Rocky was probably on the downside of the hill though still close to the top. He started to have bad back issues which even if it held out for the fight it could have affected how hard he trained.
If it’s January Floyd lands early and often but Rocky recovers and stops him mid or late rounds. If it’s Nov or Dec Floyd is too fast and is landing a lot of hard shots while keeping his balance and defending well. Rocky rallies and has his moments maybe even a kd but Floyd wins the decision if fight isn’t stopped late due to Rocky getting cut.

 

Yeah; but this is "Classic Boxing", where petty grudges live forever!!!!

 

I don't think that Patterson would have been the #1 contender at the time when contracts would have been exchanged.

Marciano's retirement effectively fast tracked his rise up the rankings.

 

Hello, janitor.

I am curious. Do you think there would have been any chance at all that Floyd Patterson could have experienced anything resembling his fear of Sonny Liston, when looking at fighting the legend of that era? Or do you think that reaction was unique to Liston, and later, after the Johansson experience, maybe?