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

2 out of 3? Other than Joe Louis(if he counts)...then no one. Gene Tunney might outbox him once, but he ain't going to do it 2 out of 3 times. If a 165lb swarming Harry Greb and a older Jack Dempsey can get to him, then Marciano would. I think Marciano defeated enough 185-195lb ATG boxer types that it is hard to pick against him vs this size/style.


Mendoza, Why do you think Dempsey beats Marciano

 

Gee I wish I wasn't on KenNorton804/Chris Warren's ignore list..I'd love to tell him once again how much the forum benefits from his uniquely racist outlook...it makes everyone else seem so thoughtful and intelligent.

 

Muhammad Ali was under 200 for about his first 15 fights and 201 1/2 when he fought Henry Cooper the second time in his 24th bout.

Ali would have done to Marciano what he did to Liston, and probably would have stopped him on cuts.

So along with possibly Louis and Holyfield, the correct answer is Cassius Clay.

 

If he was 201 1/2 for the Henry Cooper rematch, it stands to reason that he could have sweated off a pound and a half to face Marciano. Remember, he was trying to gain weight at that time, and probably could have stayed around 200 for his first 30 fights if there had been a need.

Jones-Clay was a style/hand speed thing. Just because Jones gave him problems doesn't mean he wouldn't carve a slower Marciano up. You can cite the first Lastarza fight as the standard for Marciano and make a pretty good argument that a lot of guys would have beatem him the same way you can using the Jones fight at a measuring stick for Ali/Clay.

 

The Ali who fought Cooper in 66 was a pound or so over. He probably could have dropped the pound or two, but didn't need to, given the fight was at HW.

But if he had, I would pick the 1966 version at 200 over Rocky two times outta three.

Also a sub 200 Louis.

Apart from that, probably nobody.

Someone mentioned Spinks.

No.

Just No.

 

CW versions of Holyfield , Spinks (Tyson is not a relevant indication) , Moorer (could also slug with sluggers as shown against Cooper , and his performance against Tua is in no way an indication to how will perform against Marciano , he also stopped Jirov , another tough slugger while being removed from his prime himself).
Against O'neil Bell I think it is anyone's fight , maybe a slight better chance for Marciano , remember the top of Marciano's opposition was older than himself , and somewhat naturally smaller than Bell in the sense of mass.
Toney , Langford and Qawi would have lost a decision against him IMO.
Langford has a good chance however , he KO'd much bigger men .
Juan Carlos Gomez is another worthy mention.

 

Tunney had the durability and the skill to outpoint Marciano over 15 and Dempsey could KO him early.. and I would also give Holyfield a good shout. Other great light heavies like Michael Spinks could be given a shot as well.

 

Seamus, do you believe the Charles and Walcott that fought Marciano were at their heavyweight prime ?

The Charles that fought Rocky was better than the one who defeated Louis ?

The Walcott who fought Rocky was better then the one who fought Louis four years earlier ?

If not, why use that analogy ?

 

In my opinion, NOBODY, as in NOBODY in the long history of boxing under 200 lbs beats Marciano.