Frazier VS Marciano

Thanks for posting a refreshing thread, unlike the rather tiresome ones, in reference to a particular short lived heavyweight from the 1980's. Joe Frazier and Rocky Marciano were similar in style. If we are talking pre George Foreman, yes, Joe was decked by Oscar Bonavena on Sept 20 1966 as he was climbing up the ladder, he arose only to win a controversial split decision. Rocky Marciano was floored also by Jersey Joe Walcott and Archie Moore, he got up both times to stop his opponent. I see both on the attack against each other, like two Mack trucks colliding into each other. Joe would be bobbing and weaving, looking to let loose his brutal left hook to the body, which lands with authority often. Rocky bullying his way in, catching Frazier with his famed Suzi-Q. I see a bloody affair, both take a trip to the deck early, but both are resilient. Joe is like an uncontrolled freight train steaming ahead on the railroad track, Marciano's uncontrolled will forging ahead. In round 11, Joe catches a hard Suzi-Q which deposits him on the canvas, he rises only to be met by the strong willed Marciano, who fires away at Joe, Yank Durham tosses the white Terry clothed towel into the ring, thus ending this very bloody battle in favor of a tired bloodied Rocky.

 

A war...an absolute war between two lions who fears nothing but quiting.
A battle that gets more brutal and exciting as the round goes on since both fighters gets stronger in the late rounds.
On the inside, Rocky has the advantages in power and maybe in chin, but Joe with his superior speed and greater defenses makes this a call it fight.
Vicious battle and if the fight was stopped, then i believe it would be because Rocky was subject to cutting, and Joe was not, atleast not as bad as the rock.
If i have to pick i would go with Smokin joe by TKO on cuts.
But i would never write rocky off.

 

Like all head to head match ups I look at, I bring them back, give them their prime bodies, with full knowledge of their entire careers, and the ability to watch films of their opponents, and train in a modern environment. Then I schedule it for 12 rounds in my mind and decide what I think would happen.

In this case I think Rocky would prevail, mainly because i think he could weather the storm better than Joe could, and this would definitely be a storm that both fighters would face. Both on the canvas is certainly a possibility, perhaps even probable. IMHO, The Rock stops Joe at some point in this war of wills.

 

Good way of doing it prior to these hypothetical fights. Good post by the way.

 

This is probably my favorite fantasy fight. Fight of the century with both probably scoring knockdowns. But Joe doesn’t see the final bell. Marcianos to good with both hands. The sustained beating both would give each other would be stupendous. It would seem Marciano was the more durable of the two. Joe would want to get up in the 14 round but after a few knock downs the ref waves it off.

 

I pick Marciano, one of the few times against a very good heavyweight champion.

 

And this is one of the best possible fantasy Heavyweight fights. What a fight to watch this would be!

 

It sure would be a great fight, my neck would be stiff from too much exercise from going from left to right all fight long.

 

Easy pick. Like a truck going against a freight train. The freight train being Frazier. Frazier has much better speed of hand and foot. Much better defense. Overall quicker in every department. Applies suffocating pressure. After a couple tight opening rounds Frazier starts beating Rocky to the punch and battering him in close with the hook and the rt hand to the body.
The ref steps in and saves a battered beaten Rocky in the 9th

 

I have to favor Frazier.
Rocky has a better variety of punches, possibly a slight advantage in endurance (since Frazier moved more) & chin.
The latter is balanced by getting cut a bit more than Frazier swelled.
Frazier could start quickly when necessary, like against Foster.

Both have incredible, almost unfathomable toughness & will.
Each capable of a huge workrate.
Both swarmers, but perhaps Frazier fought better fellow swarmers, Bonavena, Quarry...
Marciano awkward counter puncher, Frazier a rhythm fighter.

The difference in speed & accuracy would make Frazier the favorite.

 

This fight doesn't even go to the later rounds, let alone all 15.

You may be thinking due to them both having stupendous stamina that this would be a long drawn out back and forth war. It wouldn't be.

Neither guy knows how to fight backing up, and both were aggressive guys who tried to tear your head off. While it's true they weren't the fastest starters, this is sometimes overblown. Both have multiple early KO's and both have fights where they came out aggressive from the opening bell.

Doesn't matter how good your stamina is if your both standing forehead to forehead throwing bombs from the very beginning. Something's got to give, and they would both be tired by the 7th. They both throw nasty body shots and hit their opponents all over to chip away at them. By the 9th they'd be gassed, covered in lumps, and breathing out their mouths. Rocky's face would be drenched in blood from razor sharp double and triple hooks and Frazier's left eye would be completely shut from bludgeoning right hands.

The difference is Frazier was more clinical, accurate, and faster while rocky was a tiny bit busier and maybe hit a little harder with a more consistent assault with both hands.

I'd slightly favor Frazier 6/10 but they'd need a trilogy to settle things.

 

Marcianos defense was actually better then Frazier’s. Also had a better chin more power and in both hands. Not sure this is an easy pick

 

/thread