Fighters That Would Probably Stop Marciano?

I guess it comes down to whether Holmes is strong enough to keep Marciano off him, or mobile enough to stay away from him.

I don't think that he quite is, which could spell trouble for him.

 

The UK was solidly behind him, but in a likable loser sort of way.

People knew that he was not all that good.

 

And while he is doing all this, what is Marciano doing?

 

If I am dead wrong, then you much have moved in very different circles to be back then.

 

YOU are correct.

Even though Frank had as much talent as anyone at the time. It was only hope. there were three champions around at the time that were not that good. Spinks, Witherspoon and Berbick I think, and we hoped Bruno should be good enough to beat one. Remember Bonecrusher? So we Hoped. When it came to Tyson for his next challenge, we hoped he didn’t get killed.

 

Holmes was a great fighter certainly one of my favourites, but I see absolutely no certainty he can stop Rocky. Larry had a good jab but the way Rocky stood invited you to come inside to land it. You could not hold him at range with a jab. Nobody but joe Louis really got that many jabs onto him, and the kind of defensive jab Louis used was not the kind of jab one can work off.

As for an antidote for Holmes? Overhand rights from Nick Wells, Duane Bobick, Ernie Shavers, Renaldo Snipes and Mike Tyson all decked him. Marcianos hunny punch. Wells and Tyson both had him clean out.

So while Larry is a candidate for somebody good enough to beat Rocky, I don’t see any certainty. Certainly not for a stoppage. Luicien Rodriguez lasts the distance but Rocky Marciano can’t? GTFOOH.

 

You neglected to mention this was Ali coming off a 4 year layoff.

 

yes it was a great shot that would not land on most fighters. Lewis was gaping mouthed, on panic mode, tired, and at least two steps behind where he should have been. Outside his comfort zone Lewis was a terrible fighter. And I say that as a fan of his.

When he was switched on, controlling pace and giving himself enough time to dictate what he wanted to do Rahman would not have found the room or opening. And that’s why Rahman would not knock out any other great fighter with that shot. Nobody else panicked like that.

 

I think Butterbean would have proven interesting . A huge swarmer with a guy staying right in front of him and wearing 8 oz. gloves , little padding with a almost 200 pound weight differance. I think Marciano would have his hands full and have too survive those first 4 rounds.

Any one more dangerous or overall better than that the list would be a long one.

The better HWs who didn't have power like Spinks, Young, Ali, would be beatable too but can also outbox Marciano.

Guys who could punch and box would be trouble.

The easiest non puncher to take over Marciano would be Holmes. Marciano didn't have a jab to set up anything, he wouldn't get near Holmes 6'3 frame and he probably gets stopped by round 10.

Marciano WAS 5'9/ 5" 10 with 68 inch reach. I'm not sure people understand this .....

Giving up such disadvantages you NEED a jab and speed against MOST HW's after the 60's to defeat most credible fighters who moved a lot more and certainly a lot who hit harder than he did. Some guys being about 6'3 / over 6-4 would be too much for Marciano just on length for reasons already stated.

 

Scott Ledoux is a good call actually.
Perfect size and style to stop Rocky, probably inside 8 rounds.