Well he was touted as the next Dempsey. Dempsey himself said he would be the next HW champion. And he did beat Walcott, Charles, and Satterfield. I would say he wasn't that bad, and actually a good fighter till Rocky concussed him pretty bad. Not sure if he was ever the same mentally after that.
That's the key right there though, a good fighter no doubt, but not a great one. Great fighters are going to beat good fighters even if they have a stylistic disadvantage. Essentially, Marciano is tested against multiple top notch boxers, but not nearly as tested against top end swarmers. Make of that what you will. We don't have enough information to really know for sure imo.
I wouldnt doubt it Louis was landing some shots on the rock. If he had the power of his former prime self, he probably could have taken Rocky out fairly quick
That's my whole point. no good/very good slugger/swarmer is beating Rock. This included David Tua, Cleveland Williams, Ron Lyle, Earnie Shavers, Razor Ruddock..I think it takes a great one to beat him. I do pick Tyson, Foreman over Rocky. I think Rocky would tire out many big sluggers throughout history, and some he would flatten right away. But the very best ones, who hold a signifigant size advantage over him, will beat him. But only the VERY best.
I think a slugger like George Foreman would have the best chance against the Rock. Another swarmer would have to be able to match Rocky in power, heart, and stamina. That's hard to find. The only one, similar to that style I can think of who, would have a good chance, is Dempsey...and he wasn't strictly a swarmer.
I agree with you, but in a sense it's kind of not fair. You could probably say the same for Liston, Dempsey... hell even Frazier. And just say, "Well there was no one truly great enough to test that theory out." Doesn't make it any less peculiar.
Well, it's gotta take a GREAT slugger/swarmer to beat marciano. Like Liston, Tyson, or Foreman. Shavers or Williams wouldn't cut it imo.
CUS KNEW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT AND TED lOWRY MAIMTAINED THAT THE WAY TO BEAT rROCKY WAS TO GET IN CLOSE AND HE WAS NO KEYBOARD WARRIOR.
ali had the perfect style to beat marciano, but only because he had the chin and stamina to get himself out of trouble. foreman also had the style and tools to give marciano problems. just a case of a great big man betaing a great smaller man.
Anyone that cared about Rocky's health would not like to see him enter the ring against David Tua ...
I do not share the same sentiment about David Tua, I seen him with Jeff Wooden, Rahman and even Maskeav all not known for concrete Jaws. Dave had some good KO's the 1-rounder vs Ruiz but he looked slow and impotent in other fights.
Very difficult style to fight. It takes some natural abilities, mostly speed, to master it. Tyson was successful because he had not only speed, but power to go with it. Rooney was pretty slow, and had little power, but he was gritty and tough.
:roll::roll::roll: David Tua was not a great fighter. He had many flaws. They could be exposed by any great fighter, and that includes swarmers/sluggers. Tua would not beat Frazier or Marciano.
I think for Cus a fighter like "Iron Mike" this style would work. I don't think Marciano could take too many of Tyson's hard, crisp combos before he goes down.