Read on Espn them saying PBF could be the next Marciano and was wondering if there was any criticism of Marciano at the time for cherry picking.
He fought pretty much everyone, but didn't fight the SHWs Baker or Valdes but I wouldn't call those ducks He only fought at the elite level for 5 years before retiring He had 2 fights that were controversial decisions - LeStarza and Lowry
He only ducked the people he knocked spark out, when he ducked and weaved through them, to be unbeaten in that era is a fantastic achievement. One of the Legends of boxing and any sport.
The dream match at the time was Marciano and Moore. Moore chased and called out Marciano for most of his title reign, they did finally meet in Rocky's final match.
I don't think he ducked anyone. Critics might mention LaStarza or Valdes but a boxer can never face everyone. There's always going to be someone out there who wants a fight and yet it can't happen. Marciano fought the best and beat the best.
He fought in a era about as weak as this one so i dont really think there was anyone to duck. The noteble names on his record were fossils so yeah. Still you can not blame him he fought what was availeble much like the era we are in now.
During his career he fought four #1 contenders: Walcott (twice), Charles and Moore. They were old, but still had that ranking. The main contenders of that era lost to those #1 contenders, or lost to guys that lost to those #1 contenders. It's obviously impossible to fight EVERYONE, but Marciano did a good job.
Cus D'Amato claimed that Marciano ducked Patterson, but then again Patterson was his fighter so of course he would see it that way. Personally I think that Marciano would have starched Patterson.
Rocky was actually going to make a comeback against the winner of Ingo vs Patterson 1. I believe talks were held between Marciano and Ingo but it fell through and Marciano stayed retired Marciano ducked and feared nobody
Marciano woulf have killed Ingo-lucky for Ingo he only got knocked unconscious by Floyd in their rematch.