It's tough because Marciano is bigger and physically stronger. Fitzsimmons has style advantage, he destroyed all pressure fighter he faced. Rocky wasn't a defensive wizard and when Fitz found opponent, he hurt opponent. I could see similar outcome to Marciano vs Moore fight, after some tough rounds Rocky would overwhelm Bob. It's possible that after some shaky moments, Fitz would stop Rocky like he did against Sharkey.
Hard to call. For something like 15 years of action, only Jeffries was able to stop Fitzsimmons, and neither stoppage was of the early rounds variety. Rocky's chin above the level of Walcott and Moore remains untested, Fitz hit harder than they did and took punches from other men who likely hit harder than Walcott or Moore. I wouldn't say Rocky had a clear size advantage as he was slightly shorter with less reach. Fitz likely had faster hands and greater accuracy. Rocky was probably the more durable of the two, but its unproven. This would be a fight.
Does anybody remember the 2007 thread about this match up? And it was literally 150 pages? That **** was crazy.
It was mental. Someone wrote a poem about it. SOmeone else did fake newspaper headlines. There was one photoshop, I can't remember why, where someone had superimposed Fitz wearing a Santa hat onto that picture of Rocky on his arse versus Walcott. It just went on and on and on.
Here's something for sure .. it is a competitive match up .. far more than pitting either against huge 220 and larger men .. I may actually favor Fitz based on styles ..
One thing is, Fitz was just such a clinical finisher. It wasn't just raw power, he might hurt them with a head shot, then go to the body, then finish with the head. Rocky was certainly a lot more durable, and I think with much more raw power, but he could be hurt early. Rocky was the much better heavyweight, but I agree Fitz has some key advantages, and probably has the stylistic advantage. It'd be one for the ages however long it lasted, I suspect both would be going down. I think Fitz would need to be a lot more cautious than he was against the likes of Ruhlin and Dunkhorst. Then again he showed himself capable as a boxer at both ends of his insane career, against McCarthy, Maher and Gardner.
Well the funny thing about this match up is some people don't see why Rocky can't hang with 220+ guys but scoff at the idea of 168-175 pound guys fighting him.