Can anybody give me some insight about former contender NINO VALDES?

Well you see Charles was pretty hot himself. Valdez on the other hand lost 4 times in 1953, then got one upset win over charles. After Valdez squeeked out a horrendous split decision over the obscure archie mcbride, he lost his # 1 ranking to charles, and charles knocked out two solid ranked contenders bob satterfield and coley wallace. Charles was # 1 at the time of june 1954, valdez was # 2. check monthly ring magazine rankings. Another issue that should be brought up, because charles gave so many title shots to vastly underserving IBC controlled fighters during his reign, Jim norris promised charles that he would pay him back for all the good work he did as a champion and promised him a shot at marciano if he beat satterfield and wallace.


Finally, charles put up the fight of his life june 1954, 15 gruelling rounds. Marciano wanted a rematch to prove he was superior to charles and that he could knock him out(something he failed to do the first time)



Marciano valdez was scheduled for jan. 2 1956, but elimination losses to bob baker ruined that bout. shortly after valdez lost to satterfield thus eliminating any possiblitlity of a marciano-valdez bout.

moore-valdez was a final title eliminater....valdez lost and moore got the shot instead.




Valdez might have given marciano a few problems, but no doubt by the 7th-8th round valdez would have been battered and beaten into submission.

 

Because the first fight was great, so they clamor for a rematch. Had Marciano ko Charles in a few rounds the FIRST time, Vlades would have goting his shot. Than the cut nose put the Rock out of action.

 

And why not Valdes over Cockell? It seems like Marciano did not go out of his way to give Valdes a shot.

 

They first needed to test the nose for it to see if it held up to a Cockell type of puncher first, Color film of Marciano in his later years still shows the scar.

 

I don't mean to criticise (let alone 'slam'!) Rocky. I am just greedy for more classic Marciano fights!

You are absolutely right that most champs take an easier defense now and then...and Rocky did it far less than most; and his management had reason to be cautious with his nose injury.

Some great information on this thread. Thanks to Marciano Frazier for posting the reports of the Moore vs Valdez fight. I had wanted more opinions on this bout for a while.

Mr Garfield's recollections are priceless as always.