Did Marciano avoid Nino Valdes?

Rocky didnt avoid anyone ,I'm convinced it would never have occurred to him to do so.That doesn't mean Al Weill wasn't very pleased to see Archie Moore put Nino out of the picture!

 

I’ve posted a lot of stuff on this topic. Use the search feature you can find my postings on this matter


I’ll give you the rundown

1. Valdes gained number 1 status at the end of 1953

2. Valdes Lost Number 1 status to Charles in April of 1954

3. Charles knocked out satterfield in a final title eliminator

4. Charles was the number 1 contender by nba and ring when he fought marciano in June 1954

5. Valdes regained number 1 status in October 1954 by both nba and ring

6. Valdes was named nba most logical contender October 1954

7. Marciano fought number 2 rated cockell instead of most logical number 1 rated Valdes in May of 1955

8. In May of 1955....Number 1 rated Valdes Lost title eliminator to light heavyweight champion Archie Moore

 

A lot of advantages in Rocky’s favor too...

Strength, power,, stamina, heart, durability, and consistency

 

I think Valdes was a trifle overated.

 

Charles was a fine title defense but Weill places obstacles around Valdes’ path that made it very hard for him to get to marciano. No way should cockell have been selected over Valdes, and no way should number 1 most logical Valdes have had to fight Moore in a title eliminator

 

We agree on this.

 

Actually marciano avoided jack johnson

 

Does anyone think Marciano wouldn't have fought Valdes provided he defeated Moore in the eliminator?

 

I dont think Rocky was afraid to fight anyone but these were the days when the managers made the call and the fighters fought who the managers put in front of them.

 

I agree with that. It's such a shame boxing for the most part has to make business sense when it comes to match making. I think it's reached a new low in the modern day though. Eddie Hearn came out the other day and pretty much said Bellew won't be fighting against the winner of the Cruiserweight tournemant, to make a 3rd of the money he did for fighting Haye, even though his guy wants the fight and could cement his legacy with a win. For what's it's worth Bellew would get his ass kicked and Hearn probably knows it

 

This is what I was saying when the topic of Tony Zale and his lack of black fighters on his resume came up. Zale like Rocky wasnt afraid of anyone IMO very proud confident men. But back then managers got a bigger % of the fighters earnings so they went where the money went for what they perceived the smallest risk against the most popular guy in most cases.