Marciano vs Langford

I enjoy this thread.

 

It totally rules!

 

Rocky is at a big disadvantage against most of the older fighters, imo, due to the changing skills required as boxing modernises. Most people make the mistake of talking about evolution of styles as if it is an improvement, but it isnt, it is mostly just a reaction to rule changes.

If you look at Rockys style (and imo, he is probably the most technically correct fighter i have ever seen), it is basic and simple. He holds his hands properly, distributes his weight properly, throws his punches, getting his weight behind every punch perfectly, and tries to knock out his opponent with every punch. after throwing his punches, he resets himself and then does the same thing again. Always technically perfect. He is not normally thrown by his opponent slipping and landing and because of his perfect technique, it makes it hard for him to be caught clean and even if he doesnt hit the target perfectly clean, he still has all his weight behind the punch and it still wears his opponents down. When you combine this with his great stamina it is tough to beat.

The problem Rocky has is that old fighters (and more so rules and referees allow it) will clinch Rocky after he throws his punches and they will wrestle with him, and even hit and strike in the clinches. This will break up Rocky's rhythmn, and mean that he wont keep the same work rate, and even if he does he wont have the opportunity to throw as many punches with his full weight behind it, like he normally does. I think this is a massive disadvantage for Rocky.

IN saying that though, Lanford is probably the most modern of the older fighters and he generally tended to rely more on striking than clinching from what i can gather. If this is true then it would definitely work to Rockys advantage. I think that this would help Rocky. One thing is for sure, this would be a great fight. I think Rocky probably nudges a close one, but it could go either way. I dont think Rocky would be able to wear sam down for the big knockout, like he did with so many others.

Jack Johnson, Jim Jeffries, maybe even McVey or some other earlier fighters may be even more stylistically advantaged against Rocky, imo.