True. But no doubt the last thing you lose is your power. And although Louis had lost two steps by the time Rocky faced him he still landed (at times) I agree with ya'.....for once:good
I would submit that Ninoi Valdez or Bob Baker or even sombody like Earl Walls could have beaten most of the fighters put forward on that list. Are you suggesting that the only thing that stood between these fighters and the title was Archie Moore?
Marciano did not beat Louis the all time great Champion, but he did beat Joe Louis the aged contender. Working his way to another title shot, Louis was still beating Ring Top 10 fighters like the slick 6'2" Cesar Brion who would not be stopped until the end of his career despite facing punchers like Charles and Baker..was also robbed against Rex Layne. Louis also brutally stopped the tough Number One Contender/British Champion Lee Savold. Declined is a more accurate description than "shot," he wasn't prime but he was good enough to still be a game contender. Shkor was said to be an unsually agile strong man, he was a decent well schooled fighter with potential but perhaps was thrown to the wolves too eagerly. He was also criticized for lacking a mean streak, only showing aggression when he claimed he was being fouled or roughed up too much. From the Sun: This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected
Rocky fought 12 guys in his pro career who were 200 pounds or more. Jackson 254 4-2 KO1 Hardeman 207 1-4 KO1 Connolly 213 8-5 KO1 Donato 202 9-6 KO1 Eatman 207 20-19 KO3 Buonvino 200 22-11 KO10 Shkor 221 29-18 KO6 Wilson 230 42-11 KO1 Simmons 201 8-8 KO8 Louis 214 66-2 KO8 Savold 200 96-37 KO6 Cockell 205 66-11 KO9 12-0, 12 KO's Averages of the 12 Weight: 212 Record: 31-11 Result: KO5
Nino or Baker beats which ones on the list ? It seems like Valdez lost a lot of fights that could have launched him into a title bout. I wish I can see more of him on tape. I do feel that his size and skill set may have been a challange for Rocky we did not see ... neither he or Baker seem too impressive to me ..
Even though many cruiserweights, light heavyweights, and even middleweights have held HW titles? :think
Looking at Valdez on film I see him as sombody who could well beat Peter or Briggs and I would pick him over sombody like Williams in a heartbeat.
While many of these guys are not world beaters these results do not suggest that Rocky strugled particularly with this type of fighter. I do note that Shkor gave him a cut that troubled him for the rest of his career.
Jones, Fitzsimmons, Spinks, Toney, Haye. Am I Missing anyone? As far as I know only one of them, Haye has fought a super heavyweight.
Holyfield and Moorer off the top of my head. Where exactly is the line drawn between heavy and super heavy?
You could add Loughran, Conn, Carpentier, H. Johnson, Moore, O'Brian, Greb, Walker and many others who established themselves as top contenders even though hey didn't win a title - and actually I think every one of them would hold a title today.