Fighters That Would Probably Stop Marciano?

The only problem with that statement is that Marciano never was a cruiserweight, so labeling him as such is revisionist history. Plenty of guys around Marciano's size have competed in the heavyweight division since the 70's, 80's, and 90's, but they've fallen for the idea that heavier is always better, which isn't always the case and many of them aren't willing to put the time in to gradually develop their skill-set or consistently show up in tip top shape, which is more important when you happen to be the smaller guy. Marciano also wasn't small frame wise and by choice cut himself down to the limit to give himself an edge over heavier and slower opponents, but also still keep him quick enough to deal with lighter opponents.

Also, Holyfield bulking up made him an inferior fighter not a better fighter. Holyfield going up to 210-215 made him slower, easier to hit, didn't help his power in anyway, and also affected his stamina. Holyfiled without bulking would've most likely ranged between 185-200 and would've performed a lot better. This was also the case with Tua, who at around 200-210 was a superior fighter compared to when he started ballooning up to 220-250, since at 220+ Tua was slow as molasses.

 

Going into the Marciano fight both Walcott and Moore were on the best runs of their career. A younger Walcott does not have any wins comparable to the wins over Ezzard Charles in 1951/52.

If Walcott was so old and past it how did he kayo a prime Ezzard Charles in 1951 at age 37?

 

A lot of guys have competed but nowadays they gain weight by “modern” means. Hgh steroids or more legal methods. Lighter guys that have moved up include Holyfield Byrd RJJ Tooney Hide exc the list is many. Would Rocky fight at 188 today? Probably not but i still wouldn’t exclude him from competing. AJ fighting in Rocky’s time is no way close to his current weight. Probably weighs 215. Now could AJ compete back then without the benefit of modern training?

 

13 inches biceps is average for men but you were bigger after the college(bodybuilding college ?) era. I hope you're proud of your remarkable muscle mass .

 

In full disclosure I have 17" biceps.

#unhumblebrag

 

Were you trained down to your lowest weight in order to maximize your body for elite competition?

Marciano could've easily still been in very good shape at 200 lbs, since he walked around at well over 200 lbs, but instead was instructed to train down to the lowest weight possible. This is also the case with Louis, who in exhibitions was often around 225-230 lbs and was still in very good shape and was good enough to knock out good fighters, but in order to maximize his talents he trained down to the limit, which was around 200-206. Also, like Louis Marciano adjusted his weight according to his opponents. Against taller and heavier opponents Marciano came in at 190 while for lighter opponents he came in closer to 185.

Also, Ruiz was a hollow opponent, so beating Ruiz doesn't say much as did beating Moorer, who was a drunk and a broken fighter when Tua fought him. Against good competition that had any kind of mobility Tua was shown to be extremely slow when he showed up at 220+, which is a shame, since in peak condition he was championship material. Also, Tua had a 50'inch chest, but a lot of it was flab and it only hindered and made him an easy target for when he fought Lewis.

Here is Tua against a smarter opponent in Sean Hart, who was out of shape at the time, but made Tua, who was 220 lbs look slow.

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David Tua 210 lbs vs. Everton Davis 217 lbs

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This is what Tua looks like in top form. He had good head movement, mobility, and he catches punches a lot more often instead of absorbing them. Tua also still had all of his durability and punching power at this weight. If Tua would've maintained this conditioning throughout his career he would've definitely had a good shot at being a champion, but at 220+ he just didn't have the speed and was too easy to outpoint against top competition. The only reason Tua started regularly showing up at 220+ was out of laziness.

Ronnie Shields, who trained David Tua for years admitted David was lazy

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Chris Byrd is a perfect example of a smaller guy that was successful at the top in the heavyweight division. Byrd would've been amazing if he showed up at 190-200, but he often showed up 10-15 lbs overweight, but still managed to have success.

 

Was Mr. Dic-kens a nice man like everyone has said?

 

Very hard to say who would or could stop a great fighter like Marciano, who has to be in the top 3 for Heart possibly #1

As far as his bad fights, no one ever beat him. He had some close fights like anyone but I heard from eyewitnesses that were rooting against him that he clearly beat local NY guy 37-0 LaStarza 1st fight and he somewhat labored with a few cuties Lowrey being among them when he was up and coming but he aalways did what he had to do to come out on top.

Why did Lennox Lewis not stop Ossie Ocasio (Ocasio was KO in 1 by Mike Dokes, also stopped by Holmes, John L. Gardner and Holyfield prior to fighting Lewis. Also Lennox couldnt stop Levi Billups who was KO'd in 1 by Orlin Norris & Vitali in 2,Mike White,Lionel Washington,Moorer and 7 others. Why was Lewis KO'd by McCall and Rahman? different strengths and weaknesses? Lennox had a big amateur background and I still consider him top 1-8 heavyweight.

Ali had bad moments against Cooper, Doug Jones, Joe Frazier only Frazier was above 200lbs at 205lbs.

As far as Marciano is it possible that he could be stopped _YES but so could all the other heavyweight ATGs they all have even the greatest Joe Louis.

Thing is Marciano could also stop them so there is no certainty. I could see him losing to Louis,Dempsey, Foreman,Tyson,Lewis and the Klitschko's but could also see them losing to him.

Marciano had a pretty short career with 6 title defenses but still had 49 fights, he career was a snapshot of perfection in the art of overcoming and his gifts of determination, heart, power and ring smarts made up for his shortcomings. He is top 3 for me based on that career. He had 5 defenses against the number one contenders unheard of.

Hard to speculate based on a fighters worst fights who would beat him especially if he never lost but my opinion of Marciano has grown through the last 30 years.