As an old fighter Louis couldn't put away those guys he would have given short shrift to when prime, its not even debateable. I'm saying Shavers hit harder with his right hand than Rocky did. I'd expect many here to agree with me,but if you disagree make a poll!
How many top punchers do you think Marciano actually met? I've never said Marciano did not have a solid chin.I think it is a bit overated because he never met a superheavyweight with power ,in fact he didn't meet that many top level punchers period! I dont think Moore was top drawer as a puncher at heavyweight,perhaps you do? If Marciano had faced; Witherspoon Houpe Arrington Shaversx2 Norton Weaver Smith Cooney Williams I would expect a few more kds on his record.
Walcott was a solid puncher as was Layne when he fought him (Layne fell off terribly after). Solid point Holmes had a few more power punchers on the list. And moore was a solid puncher even at HW though not as effective still plenty respectable. The actual average punching power of Marciano opponents is above average but he didn’t face any monsters like Foreman Liston or Tyson...he was the monster generally
We're talking about amateur fights from the early 70s?? LOL. By the way, what's your source for the stretcher part? I've read that Holmes quit toward the end of the first fight with Wells and lost the second fight via ref stoppage.
That is why it is not being debated. A reasonable assumption, but not one that has very far reaching implications. It is plausible that Cleveland Williams or Frank Bruno hit harder with their right than Marciano, but it doesn't mean that they would have a better chance of stopping a given opponent.
I'm saying if Holmes could take Shavers right hand punch ,one of the hardest I have ever seen delivered in nearly 60 years of watching fights,I think he would survive Marciano's.I really cant put it any plainer than that!
Solid punchers not top drawer. Who is the best man Layne stopped? Marciano never fought a real power puncher so his lack of kds is meaningless. BTW you brought it up not me!
Shavers had a lot of power wasn’t always the best finisher. Two different fighters two different styles. Tyson didn’t have shavers power or Marciano but they were better finishers.
I wonder if opinions would differ if Larry's surname was Pacino. We can add George Deniro or Sonny Balboa? Damn would it be a stretch too far with Muhammad John Paul 11.
Just because he can take one big punch from Shavers, it doesn't mean that he couldn't be broken down by an accumulation of punches by somebody else, over the duration of a fifteen round fight! I can't put it any plainer than that!
Really desperate not to say stupid post. Wells was a huge puncher in189 winst as an amateur he stopped 110 guys 72 in the 1st round! He had 16 profights and won 15 by ko! Now lets have the proof of the stretcher story,because it isn't in Holmes book ! Nor in Wikipeadia! Or Box Rec!
Probably Satterfield but let’s be real he was done after Marciano. And solid punchers not top drawer is how I’d describe it. Believe his top competition has an average KO rate of 44 pct. as compared to about 36 percent for most top fighters. Idk Holmes rate at the moment because I don’t have it in front of me.
So you think it likely that a 3 inches shorter Marciano with 11 inches less reach is going to be more successful landing power shots on Holmes than Shavers was?