I know this one has been done before and probably multiple times but what the heck... - Both had great infighting skills - Both had great power - Both had fast hands - Both had good upper body movement - Both could go 15 rounds - Both had tremendous heart and other intangibles Frazier had the slight edge in size while I think Rocky might have had a better two fisted attack.. I think this is a very tough fight to choose a winner. I’m almost thinking it’s 50/50. What do you guys think ?
I have always felt like Frazier Marciano and Holyfield are as close as I can find to a 50/50 fight. I like Frazier (not just the Philly thing...but it does make it easier) to nip a narrow decision. But to me this would be electric! now the Marciano haters can bust the door down! I’m out...it’s about to get heated in here!
I pick Marciano by stoppage in the championship rounds based off more overall punch power and a better chin versus perhaps Frazier's better defense The workrate of this fight would be insane
Both prime fighters had great corners, Rocky Marciano had Al Weill, and Charley Goldman. Joe Frazier had Eddie Futch and Yank Durham. Both fighters were somewhat on the smaller size, but they could hit very hard. Frazier's best punch was his signature left hook, and Marciano's, was his paralyzing Suzie-Q right hand. Both fighters fought out of a crouch, but Joe bobbed and weaved, looking to hit the body like a punching bag. Frazier was susceptible to a hard right hand, Marciano's facial tissue was scar laced around the eyes, had a history to suffer cuts. This fight would resemble two Mack trucks crashing into each other as one writer once said about the two. Marciano would be down early in the fight while Joe continued to smoke, ravaging Rocky's body. Marciano tags Frazier with a hard right hand, sending him tumbling to the canvas, late in the bout, Joe gets up to finish the bout, as the two fighters facial features are grossly disfigured at the conclusion of this historic match, Rocky by a majority decision. Time for a trilogy, with these two doing it again.
I think Marciano's two fisted power is the difference here, in a fight of monstrous wills and workrates. I'd expect Frazier to be winning early, landing his snapping left, and Rocky to start accumulating damage, and points, later on, slightly slowing Frazier and rocking him. I think you'd see a Marciano decision and a stoppage is quite probable. One of the fights for all time!
Frazier is bigger, faster, stronger, more skilled, better defensively, less prone to cuts, better left. Heart, Stamina, and chin just as good. Better resume. Rocky: Better right. Hmmmmm this is a tough one.
Mr. Magoo! I have not seen you for a while, que pasa? It is great to have you around. This fight is about the Ultimate test of ATG HW swarmers. You can argue either one very convincingly. Marciano's advantages: 2 fisted power. Punch variety. Slight edge in chin & due to more economy of movement, endurance. Frazier's advantages: size, accuracy, foot speed. Defense may be a wash. Both took punishment to get in, but could be surprisingly elusive, due to unpredictable attack & the rhythm method, respectively. Both have unsurpassable heart & a great workrate. Joe swelled & Rocky cut. Marciano a greater pro record, but Frazier as an amateur, Olympian, & fought in a greater era & against better sluggers, the bane of swarmers. With no confidence I would pick Frazier. The greater connection rate might make the difference. I do not think that Marciano has the Foreman-esque power to stop Frazier, & while both fighters would be off their feet... I actually see a decision, though admittedly either fighter could get a late mercy stoppage.
Fraziers bob and weave style depends on straight punches thrown in rhythmic fashion, preferably from taller opponents. Rockys odd, unpredictable barrages will eventually break Frazier down. Frazier was better on the inside, but Marciano was crazy strong and might be able to overwhelm him there. Either way the Rock is too unorthodox for Frazier, the Suzie Q will land over the left hook too many times. Marciano TKO 12