'19 Dempsey vs. '52 Marciano.... Take it or leave it?

I think you under-rate both unless you have some special criteria.

Head to head, I believe Marciano wins. He was not exactly Dempey's favorite cup of tea, i.e. bigger, slow-footed targets. He was actually quite shifty as Walcott noted among others. And he hit like the bejesus.

 

I've always favored Dempsey here. Both men are similar in size and punching power. Both are fearless with excellent chins. Both were in tremendous shape and could fight a solid 15 rounds if neccessary.

The advantages Dempsey has here is that he is less prone to facial cuts because of his rhinoseros-like skin which is somewhat attributed to soaking his face in prickle brine. And he has way faster hands than did Marciano. If Dempsey jumps on the Rock early like Walcott did that could spell doom for Marciano. I think Marciano makes it out of the first few rounds but takes a terrible pasting. No one could have taken the assault that Dempsey delivered on Willard and survived the distance. Rocky, of course is much better than Willard but he was not all that difficult to reach - especially from a puncher of Dempsey's accuracy and preciseness. Rocky has his moments but is stopped by TKO in seven due to corner stoppage. He is not kayoed but too busted up to continue. He protests vehemently but is not allowed to answere the bell for round seven.

Dempsey TKO (corner stoppage) 7

 

Marciano every time.

 

Well...a prime Jack is faster on his feet, has faster hands, hits just as hard as the Rock, can take a punch as well as Rock can, and has just as much heart when the going gets tough...in my opinion. On top of that he can box some when he wants to. Head to head, I would go with Jack, but it sure wouldn't be an easy fight for him. I would pay big bucks to watch this one. Who has the time machine?

 

When Marciano was champion the Ring Magazine polled boxing writers in 1956 .The question posed to the boxing writers who saw Dempsey at his peak was "who would win
between Jack Demposey and Rocky Marciano "?.
the large consensus picked Dempsey,because Dempsey when young hitvwith tremendous
hand speed, beating Rocky to the punch and koing Marciano...I agree with them...
Dempsey was the roughest and toughest infighter in history,and would stop game Rocky Marciano...

 

Dempsey does not take a punch as good as Rocky.

Basically, Dempsey is faster, and Rocky has a little better stamina and durability. I think Dempsey is a more accurate puncher, so splitting the power difference is splitting hairs... although I think Marciano hit harder.

I feel Marciano has the style edge here and KO's Dempsey.

 

Dempsey fever would make a great song lol.

 

Great point

 

i'd take rocky in the battle of the overated not very heavies

 

Marciano, he'd have a speed disadvantage but he nearly always did, he mad up for it with great timing and a crouch defense that made him hard to hit clean. Marciano is just the better overal, stronger man, more proven, bigger puncher of the 2

 

Dempsey via bloodsoaked TKO7.