Fair enough 180 is probably more realistic as a catchweight. And I overlooked the fact that Moore and Charles were past prime when fighting Marciano. Some drink was involved ha! Charles in particular in his prime would make it very close considering how competitive their heavyweight fights were. This content is protected
The more I think about the more I feel Dempsey would beat him although I used to feel Marciano would win. I think a prime Charles has a great chance as well as Walcott at his best like when he outboxed Louis.
Thoughts on Marciano vs. Fitzsimmons If the Marciano of his championship years actually trained down to 175 lbs, he'd be in a state where Fitzsimmons would be a very dangerous proposition. If Marciano came along in Fitzsimmons day, maybe Marciano would have been a smaller guy, as from the last third of the 1800's up to the 1960's there was a tendency of increase in average height. I'm generalizing a lot, but it's certainly plausible that Marciano coming along in Fitzsimmons day could ahve healthily made 175. But, again, Fitzsimmons would be dangerous to this slightly down-sized Marciano.
This is actually mythology. In fact, Marciano ate like a beast to put on weight. This was often noted by newspapers of the day. Marciano could have easily reached 175lbs.
Marciano would not do well against the best light heavyweights, just like he would not do well against a lot of good heavyweights, nevermind the best of them.
Marciano is an awful matchup for Fitz though (well maybe not if you think about a Sharkey comparison i suppose). But Marciano will keep coming forward and hitting fitz with combinations, whether they land or not. NOw i think about it, he isnt that fast so Fitz does have a good chance at landing the big counterpunch. I was going to give Fitz only a punchers chance but on second thoughts, i think he might become a live underdog. I give Tunney the best chance of all, he has the power and ability to stay away from him and land regularly. May even start a slight favourite or at least as close to a 50-50 call. Spinks also was a very, very good fighter who was very 'modern'. Despite the Tyson lost (he wasnt the only good heavy to get caught by Tyson) he had a heavyweight chin, and makes a fight of it. I favour Marciano but he is a good chance. I cant think of anyone else with a chance as good as these three, at the moment. Maybe a gamble with Choynski or Braddock, but i dont really think so. I just rememberd Greb. Now that would have been a good fight. Marciano the favourite, but Greb has a big speed and possibly workrate and even stamina advantage. Greb can take a punch too. It would certainly be interesting. Rocky probably would be favoured to pull out a late stoppage, but i dont think he can win on points and i dont think it is ever good to rely on a stoppage to win. Greb is a very, very live underdog.
A bit harsh on the man. I do think he'd give every light-heavyweight hell with his combination of stamina and power. What light-heavy would best diffuse his physical advantages? If you nulify his physical advantages you take a lot away from Marciano..
This may surprise you, Chj, during a conversation with JT, he mentioned Marciano as one of the few fighters he respected. The others were SRR, Burley, Moore, 'n Holman Williams
Also how would losing the weight affect his power ? We all know the Rock wasnt known for his technique or for being slick but relied upon his power.
I think Marciano would beat the LHW versions of Charles, Moore and Tunney. The prime HW versions of those same fighters would be a lot more trouble. I actually pick the Tunney of the Heeny fight to beat Marciano. Charles would be 50/50. I think Marciano beats any version of Moore, though never easily. I also pick 180 pound Langford over Marciano.