Floyd Patterson vs. Rocky Marciano

Actually Rocky was 5-0 with 4 KO's in return bouts. Lowry, who went the distance both times, LaStarza, Buonvino, Walcott and Charles.

Several years ago I use to count the punches that Rocky threw during all his bouts that were on film, and after he became Champion he did throw a lot more.

As far as his inside fighting goes, he has stated many times, even on his TV Show Main Event, that he needed room to throw his punches.

In an article by his chief sparring partner, here's what he has to say:

Heavyweight: Toxey Hall: He had a piece of the Rock ... Every Day:

"Most of the sparring partners would get hurt in their rib cage and wore football pads to protect them," said Hall. "But for some reason, that was my toughest part, and it didn't bother me much.

"The thing is that Rocky couldn't do much if you crowded him. But if you gave him room, he'd knock you out. If he hurt me a little bit, I'd turn and run."

The one slight exception was when they were preparing for Marciano's defense against England's Don Cockell in San Francisco on May 16, 1955. Before they got into the ring to spar, Hall mentioned that the champion was carrying his right hand low and exposing his chin.

"Why don't you just hit me then?" Marciano challenged.

So, recalled Hall, "I hit him with a left hook, and down he went."

The press was there, and the incident got worldwide coverage. Marciano said nothing at the time, but the next day when they were doing roadwork together, the champion stopped and said, "Toxey, you SON of a B, you knocked me down in front of all those guys."

But Marciano wasn't really upset. "We laughed about it," Hall said. "He liked rough stuff."

 

Your right. I forgot about Lowry fight. I just went off the top of my head, was too lazy to look it up. But fact remains, rocky was dominant in rematches. thats the point. Even Lowry who gave him a rough first fight, admits he clearly lost the 2nd time around. Lastarza went life and death the first time, then got physically ruined in 11 rounds. charles went life and death the first time, then rocky beat him into submission in 8. walcott took the lead after 13, then rocky did the trick in 1 short round.

If Joe Louis is the king of Rematches. I would classify Rocky as the Prince of Rematches.

 

Christ, we've been through this all before........ Pound-4-pound, Ol' Rocco was / is the greater champion.... BUT! Had these two fought in 1956 or 1957, I think it is very possible that the younger & quicker Floyd Patterson MIGHT have been able to handle the 34 to 35 year old version of Rocco Marciano in the ring....... I have always stated that Rocco retired and the perfect time after hammering Archie Moore in '55......

And I don't wanna hear any **** about Rocky Marciano being able to beat dudes like Sonny Liston and Cleveland Williams in 1958 / '59.......... Marciano would've been brutally KO'd by either dude in the late 50s......

However, perhaps Rocky Marciano at 36 or 37 could summon up one last great effort in the late 50s to beat a guy like Ingemar Johansson.?.? I never thought a whole lot about Johansson, but Ol' Ingo did train hard and was prepared when he KO'd Floyd Patterson for the title in 1959....... Johansson never trained like that ever again......

MR.BILL:bbb

 

It's highly unlikely Williams beats Marciano.

 

Cus D'amato had no plans to move Patterson into heavies till Marciano announced retirment. He also figured (correctly) that Archie Moore was still a bit off his best after marciano fight, so he moved for Floyd to get title shot. Then, he protected patterson against top contenders as much as possible. If marciano kept fighting and winning, it would have not been till 1958-59 that D'amato would have moved him up. Remember, Patterson was still campaigning as ligt-heavy at times. Also, Mariano retired partly due to any big money competitive fights (although main reason was worsening problems with manager Al Weill.)

 

No one is saying this. This isnt what the thread is about. For what its worth, I dont think Cleveland Williams beats a 1952 version of Rocky Marciano.

Were not comparing 56-57. were comparing a 52 marciano vs 56 patterson

 

Yes.. Well, I am just trying to be more realistic about what could've happened instead of the "Time Machine" scenario...........

I think Rocky would've hit a wall or two had he carried on into '56 and above......

MR.BILL

 

Marciano, imo, '56 would have beaten Patterson, in what would have been the last great victory of his career, had it happened. Marciano battered poor old Tommy Jackson around in sparring so easily, that Marciano's body punches once made 'Hurricane' hit the canvas and vomit on the spot. Patterson had trouble with Jackson. I think, it would have ended via kayo in the 8th-10th rounds, Marciano a cut mess, but the better conditioned, stronger of the two, even at that stage.

Who else was left? Earl Walls? Nino Valdes? Bob Baker? Johansson wouldnt come until a few years later.

 

Dont get me wrong here.

Marciano was probably reaching the limits of his ability to maintan the level of conditioning he displayed in his title fights. He might have had two good fights left in him and then he would have declined verry quickly.

So yes if Marciano fights on into 56 he will run into a brick wall but I suspect that it is probably not Patterson. I often wondered if Eddie Machen might have been the guy to finaly break his winning streak.

 

I have "Liston-Machen" from '60 on tape..... Damn it was painfully slow-paced and boring..... Machen was slick but boring with not much pop..... Liston got the nod over 10 rds.........

"Patterson-Machen" equates to ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!:-((

MR.BILL

 

The Patterson that beat Johannson 2nd time round vs the Marciano that beat Walcott? If youa sked me that I would say Marciano by K.O within 5.

 

My guess is that Machen could have been the right man at the right time to take a decision over a declining Marciano who could no longer maintain his previous hectic pace.

 

If Rocky Marciano were alive today he'd roll over in his grave if he heard he lost to Edward Machen....... Still, I agree, after '56, Marciano was heading for a fall........:hey

Q:

How the hell did Machen manage to fall out of a window several stories up in an apartment complex and accidently swan dive to the street??
:huh

MR.BILL

 

Bad, bad, bad match for Patterson.

Marciano, by early to mid round KO.