I pick almost all versions of Ali to outpoint Marciano (or, possibly stop him late), but, I think prime Marciano would be a little too relentless for 1976 Ali. Not, sure Rocky stops him, but, he would probably put a pretty fair beating on him.
Since Marciano would beat a prime Ali, I fail to see why a 76’ Ali would present a major problem for the Rock!
Ali was more than ready to be taken then, and prime Marciano would have been the ideal fighter to do it. Expect Marciano to walk away with the title. What then makes things interesting, is that Foreman is still around at this point. Will Marciano run into that particular banana skin or not?
Ali squeaks by with a close but deserved decision. Still too much man and too much guile for the lil fella. When I see the Rock flailing away like he's on rollerskates I see a field day for any version of Clay/Ali up till the Spinks fight.
MARCIANO BY CLEAN KO IN 6. FRAZIER DESTROYED ALI WITH BODY PUNCHES IN MANILA. ROCKY TAKES RIGHT UP AND BRINGS ALI TO THE MAT. THE HOSPITAL. MAYBE, THE GRAVEYARD. RIH ALI 1942-1976
Never have i seen such a blatant disregard of Marciano's ability as someone voting for a 1976 Ali to knock him out oh what am i saying, yes i have seen worse
Muhammad Ali was far past his prime years, 1964-1967, and had a war with Joe Frazier in Manila, in 1975. During 1976, Ali won a hotly disputed decision over Jimmy Young, in Landover, Maryland. Ali lacking prime skills, footwork,reflexes, stamina, and speed. would employ the famed Rope A Dope, only to find that Rocky was not the dope that George Foreman was in 1974, Rocky beats on Ali's arms so much that Ali cannot hold up his arms, to cover up any more. Marciano beats on Ali's once muscular body as Frazier did in Manila. Ali cannot answer the bell for round 12, Angelo Dundee mercifully halts the fight, as Muhammad has nothing left, to continue into the next round. Marciano does suffer some facial bruising, Ali has contusions about the arms and midriff.
