Prime Marciano vs prime Henry Cooper

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Steve Fero, Jun 15, 2025.


  1. Steve Fero

    Steve Fero Member Full Member

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    Marciano struggled to stop Cockell and Savold. How would he do against Henry who up to his time was the greatest British heavy ever only one close was Tommy Farr.
     
  2. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Marciano would walk through Cooper imo, both were bleeders,but Cooper was worse.I don't think he could take Rocky's pressure.
     
  3. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Rocky would batter Henry, and I'm pretty sure Henry knew that.

    Can't remember if it was Marciano or Frazier that cooper referred to, when he said at least you can draw breath against Ali but not that guy.
     
  4. PRW94

    PRW94 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Only a sadist or someone with a blood fetish would want to see this fight.
     
  5. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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  6. Devon

    Devon Boxing Addict Full Member

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  7. Twilson51

    Twilson51 New Member Full Member

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    Cooper had the jab a hook and the timing. Marciano was a bulldozer. Cooper’s cuts? Problem. But if he stayed clean, he could box Rocky Marciano’s power was real, but Cooper dropped Ali. I’d say Marciano by late KO.
     
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  8. Steve Fero

    Steve Fero Member Full Member

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    Al Weill as walking through a hotel and Brian London was sparring preparing for his shot at Patterson’s title. Press asked Weill about London and he said something like at least he looks like he can fight we had Cockell and he couldn’t fight at all. Sol if London was way better then Cockell and Henry was always London’s master then Cooper may have been a much tougher opponent for Rocky. Henry wasn’t in Ali’s league but hurt him badly in decking him. I imagine he’d be using that left hook against Rocky ya think?
    I think Rocky toughs out the win in the end but much tougher fight then you all are saying.
     
  9. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    The only end that I can possibly envision is Marciano winning by KO or TKO. Henry Cooper might give a decent account of himself for several rounds
     
  10. Twilson51

    Twilson51 New Member Full Member

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    A lot is made of Rocky's own Hagler "prison" camps I believe it he fought like a street goon whose only opponent was the mirror Henry would find a place for the hook and hurt Rocky a lot he caught Cassius Clay and who knows how the blockbuster would react to the same punch?
     
  11. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Cooper’s left was vicious and I thought about that too. A well placed left on Rocky could certainly get his attention. But I wouldn’t make Henry the favorite based on that alone
     
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  12. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    Good fight while it lasted but Rocky was simply too tough for him.
     
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  13. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Marciano beats him down. Badly.
     
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  14. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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    I’m surprised Henry remained perfectly clean shaven - no tell tale nicks, throughout his career without opting for and growing out a huge bushman’s beard.

    If I had poor Henry’s ultra tender skin, I wouldn’t have taken any risks whatsoever, including using a safety razor.

    Got to go with the Rock here but not impossible that Henry could get in a decent left hook hammer shot or two to great effect during the early going - see Walcott vs Marciano 1.
     
  15. Steve Fero

    Steve Fero Member Full Member

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    No way Rocky just bulldozing him. Rocky could be hit and Henry could fight and had a punch. This fight would expose Marciano for being from a different era. Henry not a great fighter in the sixties yet gives Marciano trouble before succumbing in late rounds probably taking some punishment and cuts would stop it.