First to defeat Marciano

I think Liston would have blown him straight away and early at that. Too much power and too much size, can you say all wrong? Marciano would be coming straight forward into punches and doesn't have the defense or consistent head movement to slip Liston's shots.

I do favor Rocky to beat Patterson though. Cus didn't train him in a style that involves much foot work and Patterson is actually a natural light heavyweight( and not the best chin at all) so Marciano was strong enough to bully him, i wouldn't be surprised if Marciano stopped in mid rounds. Would be good while it lasted though.

 

Marciano, at his best, had very little ability to avoid punches, via the hands of pensioners. Simple.

 

Like Joe Fraizer did??? He used that style pretty well in the 70's. It didnt die with Marciano retire.

 

I'd give Patterson a much better chance then Johannson.

The shots that dropped Marciano previously were ones he didn't see coming. I'd favor Patterson's speedy, crisp power punches to Johannsons more crude power punching.

 

No way Liston stops him within 3.

I can see Sonny winning this but not early.

 

As inconceivable as it may seem, its also not out of the question. Remember, by 1960 we would have been looking at a 36 or 37 year old Marciano. At this exact point in time, Liston was utterly crippling the heavyweight division and easily beating its best residents. This was definately not the Liston who lost to Clay 4 years later. Lastly, I think Marciano's style would have likely played into the hands of Sonny, weather we were dealing with peak versions of these fighters or not. Nevertheless, an early stoppage or KO is not impossible under the above listed circumstances.

 

Floyd Patterson is the most likely to hand Marciano his first defeat if the Rock didn't retire. If Floyd doesn't get knocked out before the middle rounds, his hand and footspeed would be the difference over fifteen rounds against Marciano.

Other than maybe a prime Cleveland Williams, Eddie Machen would give Marciano a tough fight that goes either way.

 

No way the Rock lasts until the late 50's.
An ATG granted but no...he was 'getting along' and he knew it.
A young Floyd would have had a small chance as would a small handful of others in a 56-57 period.
Some fighters that are seemingly invincible simply show their age all of a sudden and out of nowhere and this may have been the case with Rocky at some point.

 

yeah, lf liston had come around, he would have destroyed him.

 

Marciano didnt duck Liston though.

 

Maybe.

However, Liston didn't fight anyone near Rocky's ability and relentless pressure.

Liston was somewhat untested.

If Leotis can lay Sonny out with a good combo, I can see Rocky doing the same thing.

I would give the edge to Sonny because he had a great jab and was one of the best boxer-punchers in HW history.

If Rocky can take the best puncher's punches (Joe Louis) he can probably take Listons for more than 3 rounds.

 

There are two problems with your criteria,

1. Louis was shot in 1951 when Rocky took his punches, and Marciano was at his peak - something that he would not be in 1960.

2. Liston was shot in 1969 when he lost to Leotis Martin, which by the way, ended up being the last fight of Martin's career, due to a torn retina sustained in that fight among other things.

 

1) Power is the last thing to go though, right?

2) Chin is another thing that goes last.