Good interview with Rocky in which he touches on his aborted comeback and the abilities of "Cassius Clay". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFUJ3KDjrlI
Seen some of this before, where he talks about Clay not yet having had his chin tested at that point. Fair point. Interesting stuff regarding Clay having been bad for boxing for a couple of years already, although it was only 1966. Marciano wasn't a bigmouth so maybe it's no surprise he said that Most of the footy guys standing around looked mesmerised by having such an esteemed former sportsman in front of them :good
I remember John Wayne being heckled at a university about his toupee. He retorted " it's real hair,it's not my hair, but its real hair!"
Agree with him or not, Marciano was a very intelligent guy who was very well spoken and gave interesting interviews. He was great on that one show he hosted. I disagree with his assertion that Ali's chin had not been tested, for clearly it had against Banks, Jones, Cooper I (which it seems Rocky had not seen, only the second fight), Liston, Patterson, and Chuvalo, all guys who could punch and who did hit him on the chin on occasion, some more solidly than others. Though I agree that for the most part hitting Ali solidly was a rare occurrence, but it did occur. Marciano was one of the few who did not delude himself into thinking he could successfully come back after a long absence from the ring. Clearly he knew his body and mind very well. His style was such that a long absence would hurt him very badly, because to do it the way he did and do it successfully you need to be in razor sharp form and shape to blast away so relentlessly and powerfully with that nonstop forward attack.
Adam I thought his commentating on fights was very good, his work on the Robinson v Basilio match was outstanding. As you say an intelligent man ,and a perceptive reader of fights. He comes across as quite modest, confident ,but self effacing. PS Will your first volume on JACK JOHNSON ,"THE RISE" be available on Amazon? Just booking my Xmas presents in advance!
