.. And gotten himself the decision, Where does he rank now? Where do you rate Marciano? Does this affect a rematch?
It changes nothing. Walcott was great enough to beat the version of Louis he fought and Marciano bottom line him getting KO'd while a few minutes from the finish line won't change that. The cinema of Rocky walking through fire to get the win though I am glad we never lost that and I wish he didn't tempt fate against either but honestly it makes for a better story the hard luck champion indeed. Of all the men in boxing he was one of the best.
Totally agree on it a great fight but it would change it imo. Jersey s stock goes higher as does his ranking. He becomes at that time the oldest man to defend his title. He'd have put that L On a tough challengers record. Marciano won't be seen as having a perfect record that others aspire to. In a rematch, which remember Rocky would probably come in as a big underdog, I still see Marciano winning but perhaps not at so soon.
I'd probably pick Rocky to win the rematch anyway I think that was Jersey Joe's last hurrah.It took more out of him than Rocky. I might move Walcott up a few places,but I don't think it would really affect where I place Marciano.
First of all, Walcott would have rematched Marciano, because, assuming that Walcott was decked in the 13th and barely beat the count (and then went on to aurvive and get the decision), the money would have been there fpr a rematch. I agree that Rocky would have taken Joe out in the rematch, but probably not in the 1st round. Then there may have been a Marciano - Walcott 3, and THAT one would have probably ended in the 1st round. I really don't think my opinion of either fighter would have changed very much, little to no bump up for Walcott for surviving the 1st fight, but possibly a tiny dip for Marciano for the loss.
Walcott got the lions share of the purse for the 2nd fight as it was.I'd agree If Joe had survived that right hand he probably would not have frozen like he did in their real 2nd fight ,and it would have been a longer, more competitive scrap.
It's definitely moving Joe up, for sure. Even tho he was beating Rock, he was taking punishment, a lot for a man his age I definitely see him losing a rematch. That fight took everything out of the old guy. Id like to think if he had have beat Marciano, people would have appreciated it and seen how much it had taken to get the win. In a rematch id be surprised to see him lasting past the 4th, that of course would be Rocky title winning fight.
It doesn't change much honestly. As others pointed out, Rocky likely wins a rematch. Walcott is fortunate to get a top 15-20 rating today, a win over Rocky wouldn't suddenly shoot him to the top 10. His resume is like a roller coaster with too many major highs and lows.
Would have drastically shifted people’s perception of the period. Marciano never would have reached 49-0 which is one of heavyweight boxing greatest achievements. As for walcott, the win would have helped him if Marciano still went on to becoming champ. If not, rocky would have just been viewed as another who’s who contender in the mix of the fifties
