Oh I don’t think I would pick Haye to stop him, but even though some will kill me for it I think he is a live dog. I wouldn’t pick Haye to stop or even beat Rocky but his speed and power could make a super exciting fight. Now I doubt Haye makes my top 30-40 HW list but in a straight up fight...he might stand a chance in my mind.
This. Haye in his prime would definitely stand a chance because he was fast and had excellent power. The only problem for Haye is his stamina and chin weren’t good, so after 4-5 he’d be in a lot of trouble with Marciano once he starts slowing down.
Have never been a fan of the guy but with his speed and power I reckon he'd be a major threat to Marciano. Haye wasn't built to last at HW but for a while he looked to be an awesome specimen with a dangerous skillset.
Good thoughts. Haye did have some serious stamina concerns and slowing down or reduced work rate is not a good scenario against Rocky. The 2nd half of a 12 rounder would be difficult for him at best. 13-15 he likely gets stopped.
I think Dempsey, Langford, Tyson and Prime Louis have a good chance of overwhelming him early. I think a plethora of bigger, elite heavies would stop him from a consistent beatdown. Furthermore, I don't think his career would survive too many fights against elite, bigger heavies. His body was fragile for the division. He suffered thin skin, bad back and headaches fighting the guys he did.
The difference being Lewis was having his 12 fight against Ocasio,Marciano his 25th against Lastarza,and his 29th against Lowry. Ocasio had just 16 fights under his belt when he fought Dokes he had 32 ,double that when he faced 11 fight Lewis. Anyone suggest any fighter can't be stopped?
At that point in their careers Lewis was far more advanced. Lewis had a good amateur career great one actually. As Marciano basically he had none (12 fights?).
Evander took out Ocasio 5 fights before Ossie fought Lewis and E.H. was only in his 15th fight and Levi Billips was Ko'd in 1 rd by Corrie Sanders a year later in 1993 while going the distance with 18 fight Lewis in 1992, Billups was also Ko'd by Michael Moorer in 3 rds in 1991. Point is we can not judge a fighter on his worst fight or uninspired fights they happen even with ATG's. IMO all great fighters can be stopped but we can never say it with certainty. I remember when Tyson-Holyfield was first inked before Tyson lost to Douglas (I had the T-shirt from A.C. NJ casino-they sent it to me but I dont know where it is-I think my son took it) Anyway case in point; I really thought Tyson was gonna murder Evander at that time and perhaps he would have but the fight never came off and when it did ( I was still surprised Evander won because of his weak showing in the Bobby Cyz fight) but Evander had the spirit of David vs Goliath that evening and won his hardest battle
I thought Tyson was going to murder Holyfield too!lol The title of the thread includes the word probably,if I remember correctly I posted it as a bit of whimsy just after last Xmas.
A lot old era fans like to speculate that fighters could bulk up to 220+ and compete in the modern era (as opposed to staying at their original optimum weight). At the same time they criticize modern fighters for bulking up and claim being 220+ makes them slower and having less stamina than old school fighters. How does that work???
