Who, under 200lbs., has the best chance of beating Marciano?

Tunney, Demspey, Langford, Louis, Corbett, Johnson, Holyfield, and Fitzsimmons alll qualify under 200 pounds.

I think Tunney, Dempsey, and Louis would defeat Marciano.

Langford, Corbett, Fitzsimmons, and Holyfield would have a chance to upset, though I would pick Rocky is the above were all under 200 pounds.

 

Greb did beat Tunney once, but the circumstances must be spelled out. In round one, Greb smashed the top of his head into Tunney's eyes and nose. The result was bad swelling and a cut that did not stop bleeding. In those days there was no enswell or modern past like adhesives to stop cuts. With his vision impaired, Greb worked Tunney over. In a modern day setting, this is your classic no contest fight due to shall we say an accidental foul.

 

198¾ Joe Louis from the Schmeling rematch.

 

No one has mentioned Michael Spinks. Forget the Tyson-Marciano comparisons Marciano wouldnt go through Spinks like that. I dont think Spinks would be scared like he was against Tyson . Bottom line Marciano wasnt as intimidating as Mike and he was the naturally smaller guy. They both might have been the same height but not the same size. Tyson was also faster and came out the gate faster, and yes he did hit harder.

I can see Spinks using his 4 inch height and huge reach advantage along with his legs and herky jerky style to give Marciano all kinds of fits. Marciano would put a couple scares into Michael and make a strong late charge, but dont forget Michael could still punch himself, any man under 200lbs is gonna respect Michaels thunder. SPinks would cruise to competetive but convincing decision, he might even stop Rocky on cuts late.

 

you mean apart from me.come on, pay attentioni'm the old fart here, not you

 

I didnt catch that until later. I was speed reading through the posts the first time. But you mentioned him last so my mention counts more

 

i only mentiond him last because he was the most recentso there

 

Yey whatever:roll: How would you see that fight going? WHo would win and why?

 

Big Faves

Muhammed Ali
Joe Louis

Good Chances

Holyfield
Jack Johnson
Roy Jones
Ezzard Charles (prime)
Walcott (prime)
Tunney
Dempsey
Langford

 

i could see spinks easily out boxing rocky.rocky had a huge heart but it wouldn't be enough.spinks would win inside the distance.
i don't know why rocky is eulogized the way he is.at the time he was champ none of the experts rated him the way thay did joe louis and the like.

 

Roy jones jr

 

Marciano is Greb with power minus speed.

 

This is where Marciano should be rated and he would be a brutal fight for any of them ...

I like Tunney in a classic, tough decision. I simply like Gene's speed, stamina, style in the match.

I like Langford. I think it's a bad match up for Marciano.

I don't know if Louis qualifies. If he does I like him.

The best pre-heavyweight cruiser like Holyfield I like. We know Evander's chin.

Dempsey is pick'em.

Fitz is pick'em.

 

Marciano was crafty in getting his punches to land. He used feints, baited his opponents well and connected. With that kind of height and reach, he needed all kinds of artifice to get those punches to connect. And I don't think he was all that slow.

There are half a dozen fighters in this category who have a reasonable chance to beat Marciano. However, having a better than 50% chance of winning two out of three 15 round fights, I think I whittled it down to Louis of Schmeling II and am almost ready to say Evander at cruiser.

Someone mentioned Ali, but he never weighed under 200. Some cat named Clay weighed 198 against Lavorante. No way that version beats Marciano.

 

Louis weighed 199 for Godoy II, the final time he came in under 200 at full strength. I see Joe ripping open Rocky's face the same way, and forcing a stoppage more times than not. However, I believe it must be the Louis of Godoy II, no earlier version, that should be favored to do this.

Toldeo Dempsey and the Tunney of the Heeney fight also prevail in this situation more times than not.

Conn might have a chance if he doesn't get stupid, but I dunno about Billy taking two of three.

Ernie Terrell circa 1965 may be a dark horse here. He weighed under 200 pounds for Williams II and Machen. (In defeating Machen for the WBA crown, I believe he became the tallest HW title claimant under 200.) Tough and wiry at his best, not at all fragile and weak. With his 6'6" height, 82" reach and jab, he might have been able to stay far enough away from Rocky long enough to nick a pair of decisions. Getting dropped and losing as he did to the 5'11" Spencer makes for a disturbing visual though.

Corbett had the skill and stamina to outpoint Marciano, but the Rock would need just one punch to put him down and out. Ditto Jack Johnson (who weighed 192 for Burns at age 30). I feel less confident about Johnson, because I think he would have been far more likely to meet Marciano at a closer range.