Very Intelligent man and despite the opinion of the many, Rocky utilized an excellent defense. one of the best of the Swarmers lb for lb and the best of the Heavyweights. If one would assume a swarming style, Rocky would be the one to copy but it may be hard because despite his size, the man was a freak with extraordinary power,stamina,and chin and he had incredible determination and work ethic. Great Big man beat Great small man is the rule but Marciano and a few others would be the exception. He also had a brilliant trainer Charley Goldman (perfect for Rocky) and Rocky was a great student. Hard man to beat. most boxing sages think highly of Rocky and the less learned eventually get a taste for his subtle greatness.
I've seen this. It's on the Superfight DVD. I think Marciano was a little naive if he actually believed that there was no prejudice because it was done on a computer. Right after he says that the interviewer asks, "You saw Clay fight?" :-(
Always a very gracious man Marciano. Soft spoken and intelligent, it is hard to imagine the ferocity that lurked within.
Ali would stopped Marciano....Marciano is so overrated....he wss a great fighter though. Where the rub comes from is he never faced another prime great so I dont know where he would stand head to head against the top 10 p4p but what he did do was fairly impressive. Ali is a big man 6'3" and 215 in his prime.......Would be waaay taller, stronger, faster, more skill, he has all the advantages exept power...add into all this that he survived harder larger punchers like Foreman, Liston, and Earnie Shavers so a kayo would be out of the question. Ali would Toy with Marciano and stop him late on cuts with one or two knock downs in the mix
Ali would have to fight 3 minutes of every round against Marciano...something he never did! No clowning...no Ali shuffle...no waving to the crowd..Ali would be in for the fight of his life. Marciano gave you everything he had for all 3 minutes of every round. Pressure..pressure...pressure...Ali said that Rocky hurt him during the filming of the Superfight in Summer 1969..he also said that Marciano was harder to hit then he thought. Marciano was also tough mentally..no headgames with The Rock....Rocky hurt you no matter where he hit you..he broke bones and blood vessels....nearly killed Carmine Vingo in 1949...SI said of Marciano.."He hurt you constantly...he never sought refuge in a clinch..it must have been a hellish experience to have to fight him!" Rocky had no concept of pain...as writer Everett Skehan said"He was the fiercest...most determined and relentless fighter that ever lived!"....You don't beat a fighter like a prime Marciano with a left jab....this has always been my "Dream Fight"....if anyone beats Ali over 15 rounds..it's The Rock with his heart....will to win..power...chin....stamina...and conditioning..and his "kill or be killed" attitude.....I'll take Marciano
I echo Rocky Jim...I saw the Marciano/ Vingo at MSG in 1949.. Vingo was close to death after Rocky kod him...I remember vividly Vingo's leg twitching after the last knockdown...Vingo never fought again...I don't believe, with Charley Goldmans help, that Marciano would be such an easy target for Ali...Marciano would get lower [ala Godoy], andbe a difficult target for a straight left jab from Ali...Unlike Louis/Godoy 2,when the murderous punching Louis ,threw uppercuts on the bending Godoy,stopping Godoy, Ali would be constantly be hit wherever Marciano landed...Rocky could put on surreal pressure for 15 rounds, eventually wearing Ali down...I saw Ali/Frazier at MSG, 1971, and I believe Marciano had a better defense, not classical than Frazier did...Also Rocky's punches even on the arms, hurt more than Frazier's did...Rocky dec. or late stoppage over Ali, I suspect.....
:shock: What was Vingo's fighting Style like? Did he dwarf Marciano? Did you think he would make it on the world class stage if not for the career ending injury?
Ali and Marciano knew both were All time Greats. There little sparring session gained eachother a lot of new found respect for their abilities. I like Ali by close unanimous decision
Rocky knows his boxing and has underrated skills but there would be too much for him to overcome here. Alis speed, accuracy, combinations would see him land and do some damage. Its like facing a bigger/stronger/faster version of Walcott with more stamina and a better chin. Rocky would push Ali similar to Frazier at times, although Rocky wasnt quite as fast/intense as Frazier. Marciano would murder David Haye though