Rocky Marciano with Ali's competition: Does he stay undefeated?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Rakesh, May 14, 2023.


  1. Rakesh

    Rakesh Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Put Rocky Marciano in the same time frame as Ali with his exact same opponents, from his pro debut in 1960 til 1981.

    What would his best performance be against? Does he stay undefeated? Who does he lose to?
     
  2. Nosferatu

    Nosferatu Corbett's thong is my proudest fap banned Full Member

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    Zero chance he beats Liston and Foreman, also wouldn't favour him against Frazier or Holmes either.
     
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  3. MAD_PIGE0N

    MAD_PIGE0N ... banned Full Member

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    Can't tell who he loses to, but put Marciano in any era and he'll be one of the best, so never giving him "zero chance".

    According to the computer simulation, he wins over Ali, but also loses to, according to another at the same time.
     
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  4. djanders

    djanders Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I agree that Foreman is his biggest challenge, followed by Liston, although, in spite of stylistic problems, I do give him a decent shot against Liston. IMHO, Foreman is a bridge too far for sure.
     
  5. Bronze Tiger

    Bronze Tiger Boxing Addict Full Member

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    That’s Pretty much my answer too
     
  6. Fogger

    Fogger Father, grandfather and big sports fan. Full Member

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    He definitely would not go undefeated and he would destroy Floyd Patterson.
     
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  7. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    No, and neither does anybody else.

    I am certain that nobody could do it, but given his style and the twenty year timeline, he is not even one of the more likely prospects.
     
  8. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Hell no.
     
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  9. Paul McB

    Paul McB Member Full Member

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    I think that’s a tough achievement for anyone, but I’d love to have seen him fight Chuvalo or Frazier. I’d narrowly lean to him in both but it’d be epic.
     
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  10. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Hmmm I think he could beat everyone but Foreman and Liston is a toss up. Now if he fights Holmes old he losses. Prime for prime he knocks him out. Frazier would be an all time classic. Now I think u prob get some surprises in there that may score a win. Think it’s impossible for anyone to go through that gauntlet w a zero.
     
  11. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Not a chance in hell I could see Marciano easily picking up over half a dozen losses.

    He doesn't beat Foreman, Liston, Holmes.

    Others that would be tough matches for him Quarry, Patterson, Lyle, Frazier, Terrell.
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2023
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  12. KINGWILDER

    KINGWILDER Well-Known Member Full Member

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    He was a great fighter but no chance, there's isn't a single heavyweight in history who goes through that resume undefeated (sorry Tyson Fury fans).

    I think Foreman would have beaten him by stoppage. As for the other, I would give Marciano the edge over Norton, but I think Holmes and Liston would have beaten him. Frazier would have been an extremely competitive fight although again I would give Joe the edge.

    Other names like Ron Lyle, Patterson, and Jimmy Young would have been tough fights as well.
     
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  13. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    The problem with the suggested time line ( 1960-1981 ) is that Rocky Marciano turned pro at a relative late age. That and he had a short prime. I also don’t think that his style was well suited to longevity in the first place. So based on those factors alone I’d have to say no.
     
  14. cross_trainer

    cross_trainer Liston was good, but no "Tire Iron" Jones Full Member

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    First career, maybe. Liston would be the problem. But who knows whether those fights were on the level, so...
     
  15. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Any version of Muhammad up to and including the Manila iteration beats Sonny.