Old Fogey and Hhascup have put up some great stats regarding Marciano's record , his era and contempories.A startling revelation ,[at least to me] , is how successful LH Harold Johnson was ,beating ,among others Charles Valdes Henry Bivins Satterfield Holman Moore[once] Only half an inch shorter than Rocky ,but conceding around 8 lbs ,could this defensive wizard hang in there with Marciano,the Man -eater?
Johnson was a very good boxer and I believe he would have given Rocky some problems BUT I believe Rocky would have caught up with him in the end. Johnson was rated in the top 10 from 1949 to 1969 for a total of 195 months. He mostly was rated in the Light Heavyweight division, BUT he did make it to the Heavyweight class at one point. I ran into him early last year at the Penn. Boxing Hall of Fame affair.
Sums up my feelings. Johnson was a great fighter, and a great fighter to watch if you are really into skill.
Very interesting fight and Johnson could make it interesting for a bit. I think Marciano was too strong and relentless and would have pressured him for a late stoppage, unless he lands a bomb before that. Still Johnson had some solid wins over heavyweights and it was unfortunate for him to be in the same era as Archie Moore who beat him in 3 out of 4 the last being a stop.....Johnson was a up there with the best
I think Marciano gets to him eventually ,even if he has to break more arm blood vessels to bring down his defences.Johnson was a marvellous boxer ,and respectable hitter ,but not enough to keep Marciano off of him,imo.Late stoppage.