What if Tarver fought Rocky in 1955 instead of Moore? Would his southpaw stance make Rocky 48-1 or 48-1-0?
If they had met on Sept 21 1955, Rocky Marciano would have not had the grueling battle he had against Archie Moore, who was more experienced as a professional. Tarver would not be fighting Roy Jones Jr, but a swarming aggressive fighter who would not back down to anyone in the ring. And he would not be fighting a light heavyweight, but a heavyweight who weighed 182 lbs. I think Rocky stops Antonio in round 5, Tarver would not knock down Marciano as Moore did. Rocky had longevity on his side, Antonio did not.
Lmao at Tarver going in 2, but also at any case for him winning. Marciano would pour pressure on with little respect for Tarver's power. Tarver froze up in the first fight with Jones, and wasn't comfortable fighting in the centre of the ring with Roy, he's gonna **** himself in that situation with Rocky. Rocky probably grinds him down and stops him around the 6th. I don't think he can survive that onslaught.
6'2, 75 inches reach. Entered the ring around 190 in his 175 days. He might enter 200+ if he had to fight a heavyweight. Marciano's opponents were not typically that size. He's about the size of a prime Joe Louis.