Taking the version of Robinson that stopped LaMotta (155lbs) and the version of Marshall that out-pointed Burley (158lbs). Who would you be picking to win?
Ray via decision.. around about 11 - 4 in rounds although Marshalls hands down style means you can't rule him out from a KO. I mean Marshall is naturally the bigger man but I dont think he has the chin to walk in and impose his size and strength the way La Motta did. I think Ray is too good in most areas for Marshall to pull out the win, Marshall was a great fighter but Ray is the GOAT.
It is really hard to guess on this one...In the very brief clips of Marshall he looks like he tries to draw an opponent to lead, then slip and counter with POWER. I'm totally guessing but would say that Robinson's mobility might mess that up a bit by not allowing Marshall to find his range. Because it looks like Marshall tries to get you close, then unloads. Robinson might have to fight an atypical fight (not as aggressive), but he has the ability to do that...perhaps try to catch Marshall out of position. Interesting to ponder...but I can't really say anymore(?) I just wish more Burley footage would surface.
This would be a very tough fight for robinson and Marshall may well pull the upset here. We havent seen enough of Marshall to make an educated enough pick. We know he is a great counter puncher, with excellent balance and footwork, fast counters, excellent technique, big and strong at the weight. We know he has some of the best wins of any MW history with Ezzard Charles, Burley, Lamotta, Holman Williams, Overlin, Yarosz, Chase, Maxim.
Well in my opinion the Robinson V LaMotta IV fight is the greatest boxing performance ever captured on film, I would'nt be confident in picking any fighter in history over that version of Robinson, so my answer to the thread question is, Sugar Ray Robinson
I think Robinson would be able to out box marshall by not letting him have a chance to counte rby stepping in with fast shots and getting back out. But saying that Burley could not manage it. An intriguing match up to say the least, perhaps Robinsons power might spell the difference
I think Marshall has a great chance of winning. From what i've seen he's slick and offers movement and variability in his attack. One thing i think is good for Robinson though is how the fight will be fought, he is plain better imo and would certainly be able to hit with multiples in bunches, no doubt. Fast paced fight this would be. Marshall's bona fide and bigger naturally. Great thread.
I tried to nit pick further but it couldnt be done. This is actually a fascinating fight as Robinson IMO would have to get off with fast flurries and get away to render Marshall's ,slick counter-punching but aggresive almost Canzoneri esque, style ineffective. However, that style of getting in and out quickly was what Burley excelled at yet got beat by Marshall, so maybe it is not the best way to go about things. Perhaps you would have to get in and throw your combinations and force Marshall back, and with his dodgy-ish chin this might be the way but Ezzard Charles took a minute to do this and took a fair load of punishment back from Marshall in doing so.
Good post there. I don't reckon the backing up of Marshall would be going on that much here. Robinson just needs to box for combos like you say, and land them clean and try and make them as explosive as possible i'd say.
Charles tried that and got caught up in a war with Marshall, who IMO was alot better inside fighter than Robinson and he managed to coax Charles into an inside fight. Although in the end he couldnt take Charles's punch but he was past prime.
At their best weights, Llod Marshall, about 170lbs. vs Ray Robinson,about 156 lbs,I would pick Lloyd Marshall, not because he was the better P4P fighter, Marshall foughtvand beat lightbheavies like Charles, Maxim, Burley ,Jack Chase etc.He was a great light heavy puncher, who I believewould be too strong for the better BUT smaller Robinson...I recall Robinson in 1946, in his prime was almost Kod by Artie Levine,who dropped Ray and the ref gave Ray about 15 seconds to recover Levineweighed about 7 lbs more than Robinson...Artie Levine was no Lloyd Marshall...Marshall by tko...Too big for Ray...