I don’t think the Marciano that fought Louis wins but the one that fought Harry Matthews does. Marciano was still learning his style when he fought Joe. Which was obvious from the fight. Just wanted to clarify my stance
Rocky would have been outworked and overwhelmed. Louis might get knocked down, but comes back for a fairly wide UD.
It's really a toss up for me. Louis in his prime had amazing combinations, arguably the best in heavyweight history, yet Rocky had the power to bother Louis and the balls to throw with him. Normally this would make life easier for Louis, however Rocky had the right blend of awkward rolling pressure and the power to disrupt the combinations by landing his own punches inbetween. Really would be a fantastic fight and one where it's hard to imagine the hype wouldn't be lived up to. Ultimately I think it's most fair to say that Louis would win a 2 out of 3 situation.
Um a shot Louis went 8 with Marciano, so you think a prime Louis does WORSE, than his old broken down counterpart?
As I quoted, Louis would be aggressive and coming in to Rock, unlike the old Louis, thus giving Marciano more opportunities. But also as I quoted, I have no idea who wins between certain guys as each has GREAT arguments for best ever. Savvy?
Marciano was able to beat the odds every single time, so I think it's unfair to pick anyone from around that time to beat him, he got back up from knockdowns, he fights through cuts, he stops people from behind, he overcomes size advantages, he wouldn't stop until he got the win, obviously it's unfair to match him with the likes of Lewis, Bowe, Klitschko's, Fury etc, but people from around his time who he could be matched with, you have to pick Marciano to grind out the win
Personally, in my opinion this fight wouldn't be as competitive as some like too think. Marciano loads up and loops his punches (especially the right hand) he walks in in a crouch,with very little head movement. Joe Louis was the greatest offensive fighter in heavyweight history in his prime. Especially after his loss to Schmeling, where he learned not to come in to a fight assuming he would win and not properly prepared. Prime Louis would see those loaded up looping punches and unlike the version Marciano faced have the ability to counter him cleanly,or anticipate and beat him to the punch. Louis's jab, never his greatest weapon, was little more than a push when he fought Marciano at 37yrs old , he was much more effective with it in his prime. His jab would be able to offset Marciano, punish him for his defensive lapses. Marciano's best chance would be to" blitzkrieg" Louis early on, take advantage of Louis's less than stellar chin. Usually though , he was more a patient stalker , setting up his punches with subtle steps, trapping opponents and closing distance before they actually realize he's on them. This worked great with opponents that didn't have the complete arsenal of punches, power and speed of prime Louis. Louis though was a different animal and had the ability to hurt/ko opponents with any punch in the book, from almost any angle and range. Marciano wouldn't be able to hide his chin as effectively from power punches against Louis. After some ruff early rounds, Louis's overall better ability would began to show. Marciano would have his moments, but their wouldn't be enough to to offset the barrage of pinpoint power shots he'd be receiving. By the 10thrd a battered Marciano would be saved by the referee after a prolonged beating from rd6. on until the stoppage. .
Rocky wouldn't be out of chances, but I don't think there are convincing arguments for Marciano win. Louis was simply too good at his peak for someone like him.
Rocky is tailor made for Joe always comes forward, short arms, cuts easy. Louis would stop Rocky in 5.
Marciano's trainer Charlie Goldman was asked after their fight in October 1951 how Rocky would have done against a prime Joe Louis. Goldman said that the fight would have been over sooner. When he was asked why...he said..."Because you don't come AT Rocky Marciano!"
Louis has some of the best combination placement I've ever seen. His combos were so beautifully placed. In my opinion he came close to being heavyweight perfection. Im a big Marciano fan. But Louis would win this fight. Mid round stoppage
Yea, go with this, all day long, I see the fight ending with RSF due to either extreme punishment, or multitude of cuts.
