First to defeat Marciano

He reins all the way up until Liston starts crashing the party in 58.

But by than Marciano would be nearing 36 or 7 himself.

 

I think it would be a good brawl for about 4 or 5 rounds, before Marciano lays out the hammer, perhaps something like the first Ingo bout.

 

Marciano proved how hard it was for Ali coming back from a lay-off. Marciano knew how hard it was and stayed retired. this is why Cus D'Mato picked Frazier over Ali. Before the lay-off it was Ali over frazier no problem for Cus. but 3 years out Ali's legs are gone, marciano's workrate is gone, whatever way u look at it you are not the same fighter. cus dmato knew it........read the now late joe torres book on ali -sting like a bee - great book.

 

No lay off here, Rocky does NOT retire. He stays in shape, and sooner or later ages gets him.

 

Who has a chance after 1956?

Patterson would stun Rocky with speed, but Rocky's heavy stuff would put Floyd on "***** street" like the Ingo fight.

Cleve Williams could maybe open up some cuts and get a stoppage of Rocky, remember Young Williams could box and punch.

Of course, an older Rock at 36 yrs old vs Liston, Liston would be the logical favorite.

 

I think Liston would end Marciano's undefeated record around 1958 or 1959.

 

I don't think Patterson beats him truthfully. Even a 33 year old Marciano in 1956 would likely KO or pound to submission, a 21 year old, vulnerable Floyd. Throughout Patterson's career, he was regualarly decked or beaten by fighters that I wouldn't place in Rocky's category.

Anyway, as for who I think would finally place a dent in that fabulous "0" of his? I think Ingomar Johanson would have a reasonable chance at beating a 35ish Marciano had they ever met. The Rock would have been getting old by the time Ingo started rocking the division, and fighters of Rocky's style typically have an earlier expiration date. Johanson's right hand and courageous will could have posed a problem for a declining champion.

Some have already mentioned Liston, and while I agree that a prime Sonny would have taken apart an aging Rock, I highly doubt this match is happening. Liston spent time in jail from 1956 to 1958. He didn't really become a serious threat until maybe 1960, by which point Marciano is something like 37, and I don't think he makes it that long undefeated.

 

There were no fighters good enough until Liston appeared.

I think Liston stops him in 3 rds.

 

I think that bad back of his had taken its toll and he would've had a loss within 2 bouts. He didn't look like the same guy in there against Moore and a bad back isn't going to fix itself with his style. All he can do is become even more upright just like he was doing. He's one of the rare boxers to get out at the perfect time and stay out.

 

I wish Marciano had remained true to the sport... and boxed on through some 'real' adversity.

Liston would have been the man to put Rocky to sleep. Having been in the ring with liston, and the belting he would take, would give a better balance on the Marciano career. And a deserved ending of the nostalgia he holds, purely through defeating has beens and half baked heavies..

Listons needed Marcianos name on his resume to gain hinself a higher representation also.

 

I think that he would have got past Patterson then droped a decision to Edie Machen as he became unable to maintain his former workrate.

 

History tells us that it takes an alltime Great to beat an all time great.

Sullivan needed Corbett.
Corbett needed Jeffries
Jeffries needed Johnson
Dempsey needed Tunney
Louis needed Marciano
Ali needed Holmes

The list goes on. Occassionally the ATG will lose a fight against a lesser figher - Lewis McCall, Louis-Schmelling, Corbett - Fitzsimmons, Ali-Norton etc, but at the end of the day, an ATG will only be retired by another ATG, unless they decide not to continue. In Rockys case, he may have loss to a machen or other but if he did, he would have come back and beat them, unless he chose not to. I dont think that Patterson was good enough, or Ingo either. Liston is the best bet, but would Rocky have waited so long to give Liston a shot, and would Liston (who was susceptible to the occasional power shot) be able to withstand Marciano, i don t think it is certain to beat Marciano, but i would bet on it. If Liston doesnt beat him, Ali is the next off the rank, and the Young Ali gives him the same treatment that Jeffries, Sullivan, Dempsey and other greats got in their retirement fights - a comprehensive thrashing from an all time great, particularly if this would have been a come out of retirement fight. How old would such a fight make Marciano?

 

Mate, mid '62, Clay already had the goods to beat Marciano... the Rock was close to '39 y/o..

Liston in '60 would be a more realistic match.

A 36 y/o Marciano would be a very tired man... through the continuous physical conditioning he needed to keep shape.

He simply did not have the physical nature, or make-up to have an enduring career. His style was poorly adapted to ensure this. His abilitly to jab, box and move.. etc.. was NIL. His reliance on slugging/pro-active punishment remains his true fortune.

Hardly the type of fighter that could adapt to the '70s.... or the larger, athletic fighters of the era.