Henry, I think it's very tough to imagine frazier outslugging rock at close quarters when he has only one powerful hand, compared to rocky's two fisted knockout power.
Rocky said many many times that he didn't like boxing on the inside. He stated that he needed room for his haymakers. I just think that they were pretty much equal, the only thing is that Frazier was 20 pounds bigger and Rocky never fought any contender besides Louis that was that heavy, unless you count Cockell. He never fought anyone that was that aggressive or as hard as Joe did. I honestly wish I could agree with you but I watched every tape there is on both, and I have to favor Frazier.
This is a real interesting quote, because rocky had a 68" reach. I mean how much room can he get before he just completely misses you with those T rex arms? I think rocky had greater leverage punching on the inside because of his short reach.
I have to agree with hhascup's take. Frazier was the best in-fighting Heavyweight of all time in my view. I wouldn't favor more than maybe a handful of Heavyweights in history to beat him.
That's a well informative opinion. but in this case don't you see this battle becoming a slugging match? Wouldn't you want to favor the man with the two fisted power, over the fighter who relies solely on his left hook? Frazier was a great infighter. But rocky with those short arms 68" reach, it gave him a lot of leverage punching on the inside.
I respect everyones opinion, both were Great fighters and I happen to pick Frazier for the reasons I stated before. Rocky's left hook wasn't that good according to the experts that I talked to, so it would be Frazier left hook against Rocky's right cross. I just think the left hook would win over.
The only fights Frazier lost was when he couldn't get inside, so when he did, he would have the advantage because he was one of the best infighters ever.
I only see Henry pop up in Marciano threads. 90% of his posts have to be in Marciano threads and it's not like he's saying the most positive stuff. I respect Henry but it's hard to not think he doesn't have some anti-Marciano agenda. I think people should watch the Layne and Louis fights. Rocky was great on the inside, with his short-reach. Layne tried out-slugging him but got absolutely brutalized. Power, conditioning, chin, and subtle skills. Besides, both fighters are somewhat awkward and unorthodox so one fighter won't feel like their facing a typical opponent. That uppercut and right hand will be a big key for Rocky.
No question. Don't get me wrong, I think the world of the the Rock. However, I just think Frazier's defensive advantage and strength advantage (arguable, to be sure) would win the day. Do I claim to be the boxing guru of all boxing guru's? Not a chance, but in this matchup, based on what I've viewed, I just don't think I'd favor any swarmer over Frazier. Rocky is right there, though, make no mistake. I think both perform a lot better against the more modern Super Heavies than some do, for example. Also, neither of these men is getting stopped. As a matter of fact, if either of them is losing by stoppage (barring a Marciano cuts stoppage) I think the Rock would be more able to deliver that scenario on his part. Essentially a 50/50 fight, really. I just don't like hanging on the fence.
This matchup like the Foreman fights would be a disaster for Frazier. Frazier was a slow starter who needed a couple of rounds to start smoking. Marciano's punching power is on par with Foreman and we know what the result there was. Marciano KO 5 Frazier
Marciano by late stoppage. This is the Bonavena fight, with a man 5 times as good as Oscar facing Joe.
Marciano is better defensivly, punches harder, is two fisted, is more durable and has a higher workrate. Frazier´s the better left hook, is slightly bigger and pressures a bit more. Willpower is about even. I take Marciano. He has more levels on his game. He can wear Frazier out over 15 and stop him late. He can decision him over 15 and he can knock him out early with one punch before Frazier get´s going. The only way Frazier wins is on points. Marciano late TKO. As good as Smokin´ Joe was, the Rock is better.