'80 Lawrence Holmes Vs. '53 Rocco Marciano in a 15 rounder. WHO?

why would we imagine him at 220 though? if he was 220, he would not be the same force of nature he was at 190....he would lose speed, endurance, etc.

in these you cannot magically add weight to their advantage without considering what effects it will have. we can only judge rocky as rocky fought: at 190. otherwise he's not the same fighter

 

This fight can be a tough one to pick but I do have to disagree with those that are saying Marciano cannot win a decision. I feel he most certainly can. He has a very high workrate and is an extremely underrated ring general that is quite capable of winning on points.

 

As much as I love Marciano I don't see him beating a prime Holmes. Larry of 1980 was big and mobile and sported one of the best jabs in HW history. All of Marciano's opponents were there to be hit. Holmes wouldn't be. Rocky would be eating jabs and combinations in a desperate attempt to land anything of consequence on Larry and Rocky would be punching up all night on a tall mobile target. This is not a six foot 185 pound opponent. Larry was six feet three with an 80 inch reach and utilized a fast punishing jab alomg with fast footwork. Add it all up and that spells trouble for Rocky. The Holmes that beat Shavers the first time would not be "walked down" as others have posted. He'd be up on his toes all night moving and sticking. Rocky would make him miss at times with his crouch but then what? He'd be winging right hands with his 68 inch reach and catching air. Shavers had an 79-80 inch reach and caught Larry once...and Larry got up and stopped him later in the fight. Holmes by decision or late round stoppage due to cuts.

 

'80 Lawrence Holmes.

 

Much like the Walcott fight without the miracle finish. Easton Assassin UD by paint job

 

Holmes decisions Marciano in a competitive and action-packed fight.

 

I think Holmes wins a close but clear UD.

I can see him landing lots of jabs but missing a lot of shots early with Marciano's low crouch and roll. Rocky may catch Holmes early, offset his timing and put him on the floor with an early round right hand. Larry had good recovery skills, escapes danger and likely survives the early Marciano beatings. All this is predicated on how close the Rock gets to Larry's body. I think Rocky would have a hard time staying with in the fight as the rounds go on, to do enough significant damage. Even the slightly past 30 Larry Holmes could move and unless the Rock slows him down and builds a huge lead in the early rounds, he's not winning on points chasing him. All this time Marciano is eating shots moving in on Larry and getting countered on the outside. That's how I see it.

 

Marciano wins by Murder around the 6th round..And it would be the hardest we've ever seen Larry hit.( That includes the Tyson KO ).