A Marciano comeback?

The Rock went and started training in secret. He wanted to see if he could get in shape and MAYBE fight Ingo for the title. Story is that he was working out with Lou Duva behind closed doors...he was running and doing other stuff...but he realized that he wouldn't be able to get himself in the condition that he needed to be in. 49-0 is a lot better than 49-1.

 

Passed it in 1955? He did pretty well in the Durelle fight up in Montreal in Dec.1958!!!

 

Probably odds 60-40 Patterson boxes to an upset win, but Rocky always has the late fight power to
trap Patterson and knock him out with one or 2 big punches.

 

Rocky could have beaten Patterson but when you are talking about back problems coupled with age it gets very questionable. The bottom line is that to fight the way Rocky had to took tremendous desire and discipline. If he lost even a hint of that it could tilt the result. Marciano always had the equalizer though. It wouldn't take that much with Floyd`s chin.

 

Suzie Q....the "Mother of all Right Hands".

 

Yes past prime at 40! He didn't do well in the Durelle fight, he was on the floor 4 times against a crude slugger that he would have toyed with in his prime.

It may be the greatest comeback ever in a fight ,but if he had been prime he would never have been in that position in the first place!

 

Marciano depended hugely on being in superlative condition, his style demanded it .After training in secret he realised the desire and dedication necessary to achieve that condition was no longer there,so he wisely walked away.

 

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Marciano explains the aborted comeback here.

 

nice post. Havent seen this before.

 

dunno, marciano was slowing up and too easy to both hit and evade, however tough and committed. Floyd would have had his number.

Its interesting that Marciano only got motivated when Johanssons name came up as a titlist - but lost interest when Patts owned it.

Marciasno had his legacy to think about , being undefeated meant a lot to him at that point. Towards the end it had been supplanted with victories over older men and he had no illusions as to what would happen if he was the one with faded legs and tank since he'd seen it many times, I would guess.

 

I see Rocky losing against Patterson after Patterson had won the title if only on basis that Rocky who we all know loved the dollar, knew he did not have the motivation, even after the offer of mega bucks by Norris to come out of retirement, to go through the spartan training camps that he had to do prefight.

Rocky won in title fights because he knew he was totally and absolutely in peak physical/mental condition, if he had a doubt in those departments, then he would have had chink in his own air of invincibility, confidence was everything for Rocky.

Rocky stated in his retirement speech that he promised his wife, daughter and his folks that he would do so and not return.

We cannot forget the value (both personal and financial) that Rocky put in being seen as a good family man, the 50s all American, loyal, patriotic, devoted to his parents etc etc. So a promise made to family and then stated at retirement announcement, was a big thing to the Rock, and he was not going to damage his personal image (it made him dollars in his post fight career) by being seen as reneging on this promise.

Rocky by his style of fighting was never going to have a long career, i think he knew he had been there, done it, made good bucks, got the fame and hero worship he sought, was suffering back issues and did not want to risk his 49-0 record.

We all know that Rocky enjoyed his retirement, still lauded by all, still making good money, but not having to put his body on the line and enjoying the fruits of his success in all ways.

 

He could certainly pull it off, even at his age and in his condition. Wilder would be a piece of cake. Joshua would be a test but nothing he would lose his head over.

 

A fight with Patterson is interesting because Floyd possessed speed like Marciano had never seen. Unfortunately, he also possessed a bad chin & a style that dictated he go in & mix it up with Rocky.

 

Bump

 

Fighters like Rocky never age well, he was right to quit when he did.