March 8, 1971, FOTC, Ali vs Marciano

60's Ali beats Marciano.
Marciano I think beats 70's Ali.

 

Longer legs and reach means little in contrast to Marciano's range with his punching technique.
Rocky was more explosive with leaping hooks and 'homerun' overhand rights.
Frazier could close the distance with his wide hook too, but not nearly as well.
Rock was harder to jab coming in, because he closed the pocket with constant pressure.
Frazier often fought toe to toe, bobbing at jab range. Using head movement to offset and counter. He gives you room to move.

Not a mauler like Rocky who threw punches so that if he misses, his body will press into you. A perfect style for 70's Ali.
He had a much better sense of the opponents positioning, and how to nullify it.
Frazier had less tools to use effective pressure than Rocky. And he was more vulnerable setting up his punches.

Plus Rocky hit harder at a higher pace.

 

When asked who would win if he faced Marciano in his prime Ali said that the fight could go either way. This was after the sparring they did for the computer-evaluated match filming. When Marciano was asked the same question he said he would have won.


In this Ali interview Ali said that Marciano was tougher than Frazier.

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Ali's describes Marciano as the toughest opponent he would have faced of all HWs.

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Here is one possibility which the computer evaluated match considered.

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Here is the other possibility:

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Another view on Marciano by one who personally saw him fight:

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Well Ali's not getting knocked out, that's a definite. Frazier s face had swollen so possible rock gets cut. Frazier hurt Ali later on so if rock survive s till the Last few rounds then he could have him in trouble but he won't stop. So therefore I see it been all Ali for at least first half, then marciano getting to him more as the fight goes on. A desperately tired Ali survives the last round s to clinch a split decision.

 

Ali wins but in a bruising fight.

 

SSDD...."Same ****...Different Day!!!

 

Easy unanimous decision for Ali.

 

This would not of been an easy fight for either fighter. Ali himself sparred with a really over the hill Marciano and said he hit pretty damn hard then. Ali as we all know wasn't prone to be gracious of his opponents. He knew a prime Marciano would give him all he could handle and said so in numerous interviews. For Marciano he never fought someone as fast as Ali and I think for him to be successful he would of had to crowd Ali not let him dance around otherwise he would of been outpointed pretty bad


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Agree. Both men take a lot of punishment and beat each other up. I think Marciano probably floors Ali at some point.

 

Joe Frazier had the perfect weapon to exploit Ali. A good in close lefthook. That was the punch Muhammad was most open to. It was quick and it was powerful and Joe worked it overtime. Like a whip. George Foreman and Ron Lyle had bigger right hands than Frazier too {who by the way was never a 1 handed fighter} it means little because Ali had a tight defense generally to right hands.

 

ETM. Disagree. Here is why.

At times during fight 1 Ali was in very serious trouble. Watch round 11. Ali was out on his feet after one brutal left hook. All Frazier did once he hurt Ali was chase him throwing one hook after another. IF Frazier had a right hand equal to his hook in efficiency and coordination and power he would have had a balanced attack. A balanced attack means being able to attack a hurt Ali from all angles. A balanced attack means not having to exhaust his left arm by relying upon it continually. A balanced attack would make it more likely that Frazier could score a stoppage win.

 

This guy's come back a few times with a new identity, but the racial crap shines through.

 

Favorite fantasy matchup

 

Marciano ain't beating Ali,,ever. Marciano couldn't close the distance the way Joe did.