1936 Max Schmeling vs 1952 Rocky Marciano

Marciano wins a close decision. Max would give him a bit of trouble.

 

Rocky overwhelms Max and wins by either late stoppage or close decision.

 

Max will hit Marciano with sizzling right hands, and bust his face up. If Rocky can survive he could come back and win but if Max can beat Joe Louis he can beat Rocky.

 

Styles make fights.

 

Agreed, but Rocky's style entails getting hit very often.

 

Had Rocky ever fought someone as hard punching as Schmeling?

 

He didn't fight many big punchers.

 

I figure Archie and Jersey Joe were the biggest punchers he faced.

 

Rocky wins with a late knockout, in the hardest fight of his career, where he was on the floor more than once.

 

A prime Schmeling would probably be the best fighter he fought.

 

I have a lot of respect for Max Schmeling. He was a brilliant boxer who fought the vast majority of the best fighters in his day. I’m not sure I can favor him over Rocky Marciano though. I think Max would have a hard time keeping Rocky off of him and that relentless two fisted attack of Rock’s would most likely lead to a knockout or stoppage at some point

 

Rex Layne wasn’t a bad hitter either.

 

Certainly possible… but also not that simple.. Louis was barely in the pros two years when he fought Schmeling and was foolishly lured into a boxing match when he should have gone in for the kill. I don’t think Rocky would make the same mistake. This is one fight where the Rock’s undying commitment to a one dimensional style would serve him well