Who should rank higher on the all-time Heavyweight list - Marciano or Holyfield?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by D.T, Apr 5, 2011.

  1. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2009
    Messages:
    58,359
    Likes Received:
    13,456
    Exactly! What kind of sense does that make? :twisted:
     
  2. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2004
    Messages:
    42,723
    Likes Received:
    275
    They're accomplishments are so different, Rocky was the greatest of his era though, Holyfield probably wasn't, although there are arguments that he was better than Lewis, Tyson and even Bowe

    Bowe/Lewis/Tyson were around 40lbs heavier and still arguably as good P4P as the versions of Charles/Walcott/Moore that Rocky faced. I'll cop some crap for that statement but Bowe/Lewis are the 2 best P4P SHWs ever. In boxing its obvious that this is a much greater challenge, its effectively stepping into a new weight class

    Could Holyfield go undefeated against Rocky's opposition? Walcott would be a tricky encounter for him for sure. Rocky ofcourse arguably didn't go undefeated in his era too though.

    Holyfield fought and beat Tyson aged 34, Marciano was retired for 2 years aged 34.

    Holyfield fought at world championship level for 21years!!! Rocky only for 3years!!!

    Both great men, great achievements, pick your favourite
     
  3. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2005
    Messages:
    37,088
    Likes Received:
    3,776
    Holyfield was able to fight well into his 30s and 40s at a high level because of steroids. Bank on it. Imagine Marciano with steroids?
     
  4. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2004
    Messages:
    42,723
    Likes Received:
    275
    Except his opposition were on steroids too and steroids do nothing for stamina/skill
     
  5. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2005
    Messages:
    37,088
    Likes Received:
    3,776
    steroids do improve strength and punching power though. I agree about his opposition.
     
  6. fists of fury

    fists of fury Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    19,297
    Likes Received:
    7,056
    11 Votes for Evander? I'm surprised.
     
  7. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    19,229
    Likes Received:
    258
    Keep on judging a fighter on what he might perhaps have done, I´ll stick with what they actually did. :thumbsup
     
  8. Valane

    Valane Active Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2010
    Messages:
    1,462
    Likes Received:
    3



    Physical strength, of course. Punching power, no.
     
  9. Valane

    Valane Active Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2010
    Messages:
    1,462
    Likes Received:
    3


    Given his obvious decline and his style, i think it's a pretty obvious conclusion that Marciano would have struggled past that point, more so fighting 220 lb plus punchers such as Holyfield did.
     
  10. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    19,229
    Likes Received:
    258
    It´s speculation. Nothing more. We simply don´t know, we can only assume, believe that something would happen. If that´s enough for you. Fine.

    Personally, I can´t rate fighter how they would have done in fantasy fight. I can´t rate fighter by what they would have done in another era. I rate them on what they did. Marciano proved himself the best of his era. Holyfield didn´t. Marciano beat his greats. Holyfield didn´t. Marciano deserves to be ranked higher. I have both in my Top10 btw.
     
  11. RockyJim

    RockyJim Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2005
    Messages:
    5,261
    Likes Received:
    2,477
    Marciano...
     
  12. Valane

    Valane Active Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2010
    Messages:
    1,462
    Likes Received:
    3


    Fair enough. Obviously it's problematic because of tha variance in talent in different era's, so it becomes difficult to quantify. But Rock had a great career, so it's not a particularly controversial viewpoint.
     
  13. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2004
    Messages:
    42,723
    Likes Received:
    275
    Most of the forum is speculation
     
  14. D.T

    D.T Guest

    Listen you dumb Marciano-nuthugger ****s....


    Holyfield's prime was between '86 and '91/'92.


    1999 WAS NOT Holyfield's prime.

    If you seriously think Evander was in his PRIME when he fought Lewis you need to have your head checked.



    FACTS:

    Holyfield FOUGHT AND BEAT the better competition.
    Holyfield has more title defenses against better competition.
     
  15. Marciano should not be on any heavyweight list to began with since he isnt a damn heavyweight and never beat one.