Ali is his own words on how he'd do against a prime Rocky Marciano

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by MixedMartialLaw, Jul 5, 2025.


  1. MixedMartialLaw

    MixedMartialLaw Fight sports enthusiast Full Member

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    "Even in his prime, Rocky [Marciano] had no chance with me. First thing, he is too little. Less than five foot ten to my six foot three inches. I’d overwhelm him. I’d lay on him in the clinches like a big old grizzly bear, and I’d smother his insides out. He was too small to reach me from outside. I’d jab him twenty to one. Rocky had a face that cut easily. Can you imagine what my stinging jab would do to those weak eyes? By round three. Rocky would look like he ran into a lawn mower. How could he beat me? No way, is how."

    This is quoted from around the time he was set to film the "Superfight" with Rocky.
     
    MixedMartialLaw, Jul 5, 2025
    MixedMartialLaw, Jul 5, 2025
    #1
  2. The Undefeated Lachbuster

    The Undefeated Lachbuster On the Italian agenda Full Member

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    Ali said something inflammatory in order to sell a fight, who wouldve guessed
     
    The Undefeated Lachbuster, Jul 5, 2025
    The Undefeated Lachbuster, Jul 5, 2025
    #2
  3. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He spoke very differently about it later.
     
    Bokaj, Jul 5, 2025
    Bokaj, Jul 5, 2025
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  4. MixedMartialLaw

    MixedMartialLaw Fight sports enthusiast Full Member

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    Is there anything he said in the initial quote that was incorrect though?
     
    MixedMartialLaw, Jul 5, 2025
    MixedMartialLaw, Jul 5, 2025
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  5. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Who knows, when it's a fight that never happened? All we know is that he changed what he said about it.
     
    Bokaj, Jul 5, 2025
    Bokaj, Jul 5, 2025
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  6. MixedMartialLaw

    MixedMartialLaw Fight sports enthusiast Full Member

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    We can certainly infer it based on how Ali did against other smaller stature fighters, when it came to imposing his size with the clinch and his outside jabs. Doesn't seem like an outlandish statement made by Ali.

    I'd assume he likely downplayed his boastfulness following the passing of Rocky, out of respect. He was likely more honest in this comment.
     
    MixedMartialLaw, Jul 5, 2025
    MixedMartialLaw, Jul 5, 2025
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  7. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He genuinely liked Ali and Ali liked him. Ali attended his funeral.He told Belinda he would "never retire" because he had the bug.
     
    ThatOne, Jul 5, 2025
    ThatOne, Jul 5, 2025
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  8. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Who are you thinking about? Frazier was about the same height. Jones wasn't big. Cooper neither. Ali had an easier time with many bigger fighters.

    His second statement came after Marciano's death, but also after he had done some work in the ring with him.
     
    Bokaj, Jul 5, 2025
    Bokaj, Jul 5, 2025
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  9. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He did indeed. He said that,out of all the previous world champs,Rocky would have given him the most trouble.
     
    Stevie G, Jul 5, 2025
    Stevie G, Jul 5, 2025
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  10. nyterpfan

    nyterpfan Member Full Member

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    IMHO not one single solitary thing!
     
    nyterpfan, Jul 6, 2025
    nyterpfan, Jul 6, 2025
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