Was Rocky Marciano lucky in the contenders that he drew?

He's very lucky Primo wasn't around.

Typical Marciano, avoiding the best by being born 20 years too late.

 

Interesting way of putting it. I don’t think running into 3 top ten p4p greats in your career is lucky but what do I know. I just wish he had a defense against Nino before retiring just to shut up the height and weight is everything guys. Then again they’d use the same excuses they do for Joe Louis. So really a no win situation for some. Looking forward to reading some of the results.

 

From 1970-1972
1970, Rocky Marciano, Champion

1. Muhammad Ali
2. George Foreman

He's stopped by both Foreman and Ali imo.
1971, Rocky Marciano, Champion

1. Muhammad Ali
2. Jerry Quarry

Imo he'd lose again by Stoppage to Ali and beat Quarry by KO

1972, Rocky Marciano, Champion

1. Muhammad Ali
2. George Foreman

Again loses to both by stoppage.

Marciano does well in most eras besides the 00s, 70s, 80s and 90s. And even then he'd beat guys like Byrd, Page, Norton and Moorer who were all pretty big players in those decades.

 

I'd say Marciano was somewhat lucky that he fought older versions of Moore, Charles and Walcott and especially Louis. On the other hand that might be doing a disservice to him as a fighter and its quite possible that he'd have given the prime versions hell too. On the other hand we could speculate how good he'd have been if he'd had a bit of an amateur career first before going pro.

I suppose he'd have been luckier still if he'd had an amateur run up and his career had been shifted up 3-4 years further up so that he fought totally shot versions of those four and got a chance to add Johanssen and Patterson's scalps to his resume while still avoiding Liston.

 

It's lucky he met them when they were past prime

 

Luck had nothing to do with it. They lose no matter when he meets them imo. Moore was cleaning out the division I guess when he met rocky he suddenly was an old useless man. Charles was 32 and was maybe a year out of prime but certainly formidable. Louis was old but Marciano was green. But I suppose this isn’t what the threads supposed to be about. I suppose Marciano’s biggest problems would be Foreman. I don’t see how he wins that fight all wrong for him. Against literally everyone else he has a chance. Not saying the favorite every time but against a say 70s Ali I think he wins (looses to pre banishment Ali IMO). Anytime Liston or Lewis is on would be damn interesting bouts as well.

 

Marciano wouldn't beat every other champion, he had noticeable flaws, and he's a man, he's not unbeatable, but he was the best in his era and that's what you have to credit him for.

 

But they'd 100% represent harder fights and better wins.

And what you've said is speculation

I never said useless, but he was clearly old and not physically prime. He was just a beast. I also didn't say it wasn't a good win.

Charles prime was put to bed when Walcott walked into him with a huge hook. He was being rolled by Satterfield and losing to people like Valdes at that point.

Marciano was no where near as green as Louis was old (if that makes sense).

I agree so I think we should not detail the thread. As that would be typical Marciano fashion

In history? Nahhhh
I don't think he has a prayer against Vitali and he'd have virtually no chance against Holmes, Ali, Liston and Bowe.
He has a slight punchers chance against Lewis and Wlad, but I still favour both heavily.

Again I disagree, I feel like Lewis from the Rudduck fight (as a contender) and 59 Liston both beat Marciano by early KO, Lewis in 2/3 and Liston in 4/5

 

Twas a poor era for the average HW in the rankings

 

Some good points in the beginning just don’t agree with you on contending with other fighters later on. Lewis lost to lesser fighters then Marciano as did Wlad and Vitali. Liston would be a tough one where I’d put him as the under dog. And as I put Marciano in a league above Holyfield who took Bowe to the limits I’d certainly think he has a lot more then a chance against Bowe. I can’t see Rocky going down in two to anyone except maybe Foreman. Just my opinion and yes speculation

 

Well that's all fine obviously

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree

 

I think fighters did meet 3 ATGs in there primes.

Greb, Armstrong, Duran, Langford and Robin's come to mind.
So considering 5 were the only ones I could name without research I'm inclined to agree