How to rate Rocky Marciano? (Fair Anaylsis)

There are a few surprising stats in that book. Some not so much. Was shocked to learn Liston threw more punches a round than Marciano and Frazier! That could be because he ended his fights sooner and was more active in earlier rounds? But yeah Louis defense always seemed ok to me but didn’t realize was that good.

 

Pulitzer Prize winning sports writer Red Smith said this about Marciano: "He couldn't box like Gene Tunney...he couldn't throw combinations like Joe Louis...but in one respect...Rocky had no challenger! He was the toughest...strongest...most completely dedicated fighter who ever wore gloves! The word "Fear" wasn't in his vocabulary...and "Pain" had no meaning!"

 

Very interesting stats!

I checked the reading sample on Amazon. Joe Frazier is pretty much the stats king and Ali has pretty much the weakest stats...

You can see that statistics and reality differ greatly in this case...

Anyways, I like those kinds of stats. Rocky's stats are also pretty amazing (like, opponents total/power connect). I always thought Marciano's power punch output is fantastic. According to CompuBox he could land 16.8 power punches per round (on average), which is the second highest number after the other great swarmer Joe Frazier (22.4 power punches). Marciano's Power Conn% is 39.6% (one of the lowest) and Frazier's is 53.6% (one of the highest).

That means, Rocky Marciano throws incredible 42.42 power punches per round and Joe Frazier (often described as one armed) throws incredible 41.79 power punches per round.

But let's not forget that the stats are not complete. For instance, the stats for Ali come from 47 fights (which includes peak performances like against Cleveland Williams, his early fights like against Alonzo Johnson as well as his last fights against Holmes and Berbick). Of course, Marciano's fights were less filmed and his stats are made up of just 8 fights.... It would be interesting to have more stats... Then you can also compare different stages of their careers.

 

Yes for sure. Certainly some of the stats have to be weighed against things like competition, what points in prime were they taken (they do break down Ali’s first and second career), etc. I was most shocked about how well Liston stacked up against everyone in everything. The man threw more punches by a significant amount which I was and still am shocked about. But considering he needed his fights earlier and wasn’t throwing as much late rounds it prob increased his output compared to Marciano and Frazier.
Also stats aren’t calculable in things like chin strength, heart, smarts, coaching and coach ability and tactics
U also mentioned a great point and prob Marcianos greatest weakness was his inaccuracy. But truth be told he never cared where he hit a guy so long as the glove touches somewhere especially when they were hurt.

 

Both my football coach and one of my substitute teachers George Giambastiani, who himself was a former fighter had the same clip of the Marciano-Shkor fight, so I wouldn't be surprised if some other collectors have it. From What I was told by his family most of Mr. Giambastiani's collection was donated to the Skirball museum. I wish his family donated it to the Getty, since they make stuff more easily accessible to the public compared to the Skirball that now requires request to be made a week or two in advance, since most of their old footage is archived offsite.

 

That’s awesome. Wish they would make this stuff publicly available even for rent. I’d pay to watch fights of guys not available for a consumer fair price

 

I always thought Emanual Steward had the best descriptions of Marciano, as you mentioned short, slow ,bad balance and he actually called Rocky clumsy at times and the film backs him up. No doubt Rocky was the greatest over achiever in boxing history, who trained like a demon. He always entered the ring in peak condition and in that regard he reminds me of Hagler who did the same. But to imagine that Rocky could beat some of the all time top 10 ATG's in the heavyweight division is crazy talk.

 

I never saw Marciano-Shkor! More and more collectors / historians who have passed are donating their stuff to Libraries and Universities to the pubic. Most applaud this but a few collector frown upon this as is diminished their value of fights. I am for sharing boxing history.

 

Both Ali and Joe Louis would vehemently disagree with you. They know a little bit about boxing and have either fought or worked w the man.

 

HOW MANY WORLD CHAMPIONS DID ALI AND LOUIS PRODUCE?

 

Joe Louis in his prime would have crucified Marciano,, Ali? times 2

 

Well Cus would also disagree…he’s produced a few:

 

A good lil' plugger.

The Rudy of the heavyweight division. And who didn't cheer for that kid?

 

Once again both would disagree w u.

 

Absolute.