Could Marciano have fought at 175?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by RafaelGonzal, Apr 11, 2009.


  1. RafaelGonzal

    RafaelGonzal Boxing Junkie Full Member

    10,844
    12
    Mar 7, 2006
    I know the Rock fought as low as 181 yet all the big money was at heavy which is why he campaigned there. Could have Marciano squeezed off the extra 6 lbs and been as effective at 175 pounds at lightHeavy. With his power it would have been awesome but realistically could he have done it.In todays boxing world of weighing in a day prior he could do 175 and show up 182 or 183 fight night. I could just imagine a Calzaghe vs Marciano fight and the scorching Marciano would give this fraud.Thoughts, opinions?
     
  2. Cachibatches

    Cachibatches Boxing Junkie banned

    10,261
    12
    Nov 12, 2006
    No. He walked around at well over 200 (according ot Peter Marciano) and got to 185 by training like a demon.
     
  3. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

    12,227
    1,247
    Feb 6, 2009
    at his best(51-56) he would have had no chance at making 175lb
     
  4. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

    97,070
    27,907
    Jun 2, 2006
  5. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    23,640
    2,108
    Aug 26, 2004
    He trained himself down to the lowest weight for stamina...He was a heavy boned guy, no way
     
  6. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

    111,919
    45,753
    Mar 21, 2007
    Yes, he could have made 175. He would have been desperate at the weight, though.
     
  7. MrMarvel

    MrMarvel Well-Known Member Full Member

    1,792
    15
    Jan 29, 2009
    Easily. He fought on several occasions less than 181, so your fact isn't accurate. He fought as low as 178 lbs on more than one occasion and these were in the late 1940s. It is a myth that he walked around at 200+ as some people claim. In fact, I reported here an AP story that had him weighing 193 pounds months in between fights late in his career (1955). I also reported here a New York Times story reporting that during training he tried to gain weight to get over 185 lbs for the first Walcott fight! So, yeah, light heavyweight wouldn't have been a problem. Today, he would have to fight at light heavyweight - if he wanted to be successful (not guaranteed, though).
     
  8. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

    71,214
    26,515
    Feb 15, 2006
    In his own day he would not have had a cat in hells chance of making 175 lbs. There was nothing left to cut when he was 185-190.

    Today he might theoreticaly be able to sweat down to 175 lbs asuming that he aplied the same training regime as he did in his own era (highly unlikley) and that having done so there was anything left to sweat off (uncertain).

    If he were fighting today he would almost certainly be a cruiserweight until he decided to step up.
     
  9. MexicanJew

    MexicanJew Jajajajajaja Full Member

    7,315
    3
    May 19, 2008
    He might have been able to get down to 175 today with a proper nutritionist and training.

    I think he would be best suited for Cruiserweight however. He was an extremely stout man, dense muscle and heavy boned. Cruiserweight would be ideal for him.

    With his reknowned stamina and power today, he would undoubtedly dominate
     
  10. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

    71,214
    26,515
    Feb 15, 2006
    It rather underlines how weight classes have become distorted these days.

    We have one thread discusing Marciano fighting at 175 and another with him bulking up to 210 or 220 and frankly neither sound particularly implausible.
     
  11. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

    37,067
    3,694
    Sep 14, 2005
    the most critisized fighter of all time. such a shame. what did he ever do to deserve it?
     
  12. 196osh

    196osh Mendes Bros. Full Member

    14,565
    11
    May 10, 2007
    The vast majority of fighters get critzied because of overbearing chest beating fans who make clams people find unreasonable.:good

    I think Marciano could have made 175, he would have been very tight at the weight, but fighters regularly put on 10-14lbs after nowadays. I dont think it would be his best weight. He would be a much more comfortable CW.
     
  13. China_hand_Joe

    China_hand_Joe Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,217
    12
    Sep 21, 2006
    No, but I can imagine him lumbering around, constantly being countered and kept of balance as he swings wildly at the superior boxer.

    Calzaghe would have no trouble outlanding him 2 to 1, with most of Marciano's shots being glancing blows. These two fighters are incomparible.
     
  14. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

    71,214
    26,515
    Feb 15, 2006
    What did he do to deserve it?

    He didnt have the courtesy to loose at least one fight to apease the insecure.

    There is unfortunately a racial element as well in a small number of cases.
     
  15. Ted Spoon

    Ted Spoon Boxing Addict Full Member

    3,201
    956
    Sep 10, 2005
    The vast majority of fighters do not possess the commitment to the attain the fat to muscle ratio of Rocky Marciano.

    In no way, shape or form could he have afforded to lose another good 10 pounds. It would have stricken him with staleness.