...how long would he have held the championship, would he have still retired unbeaten and if not who would have ended his run with a defeat? Even though it seems like madness I have a feeling Floyd Patterson would have defeated him. I know that the Johansson and Liston KOs hang over Floyd's career like a black cloud but in 1956 Patterson was fresh, fast and motivated, look what he did to Archie Moore? Also while the Rock has the power he had been through some desperate wars and had trouble with tricky speedy fighters like Jersey Joe Walcott and Ezzard Charles. Prime for Prime Marciano wins but after having his nose almost ripped off in Charles II and then being knocked down by Moore maybe he was on the way out and would have just aged over night against Patterson? Saying that if he had defeated Patterson I don't think he would have had much trouble against Pete Rademacher and Brian London! It is possible he would have avoided Liston until 1960 and then retired rather than face him?
He would have had trouble with Patterson but would have stopped him in under 9 rounds. He would have stopped Johansson in under 5 but may have hit the deck along the way. He'd be pretty old by the time Liston earned a shot... prime vs. prime I'd definately take Marciano by late round KO, but around 1962... 7+ years after his actual last fight... I don't know?
I stand to be corrected on this comment, but I believe that the reason behind Marciano's retiring was due to a back injury or something of that nature. In addition, he was already around 33 years of age, which doesn't bode well for a fighter of his particular style and physical attributes. My guess is that he still would have somehow managed to defeat a young Patterson, who at that point was only 21 years old, around 180 lbs and knockdown prone. Beyond that, I don't see Rocky sticking around long nor maintaining his streak much further.
Rocky would have more than likely defended against Floyd Patterson in '56. He'd have won,I think. I see an upset against an ageing champ on the horizon shortly after that. Maybe courtesy of one Ingemar Johansson ?
Cus D'amato planed to keep Floyd from haevyweight title for 2 more years, and eyed lightheavywieght title a bit till Marciano retired. So him staying active changes boxing history a bit. Nino Valdes had lost to Archie Moore, and he was one of top contenders, but none seemed to interest public. I think he would win 2 or 3 more,than as anyone who keeps fighting does, he would lose, probably by 1959. If not for all the problems manager Al Weill caused him in his personal and private life, plus the financial problems, he would have had another fight or 2 at the least.
Marciano was paying trainer out of on pocket, when he found out Weill was stiffing Goldman. Weil had also insulted Maricano's father, and was getting crazier as title reign went on. Marciano wanted to retire at 48-0 point, but Moore was saying Marciano was ducking him, so Rocky took that one more bout. If Marciano stayed active, no one beats him till he slows down, by time he does it would be anyone good.
The way it worked out Marciano had to retire when he did. without a may date rocky knew he couldnt fight until september a whole year since his last fight. A year out at that stage meant he could not maintain that championship edge. Like you say with cus keeping Patterson out of the way for a further two years, and Moore already KOd it left Rocky waiting around until a new batch of chalengers could apeal to the fans. Marciano needed 2 fights a year and he hung on for one more outdoor date but it never happened. Coming back was too hard. If Rocky did fight in the september Patterson would have focused on Archie moore for the lightheavyweight title. Marcinao would have fought pastrano or Moore again in a lousy fight then retired.
Marciano would have made mince meat out of Patterson, if they had met. He would probably have fought Tommy Jackson and Valdez, and beat them. If he had stayed around until Liston beat Williams, they might have fought. I think Liston would have beat him, but I wouldn't bet money on it.
D'Amato, and trainer Dan Florio believe Patterson beats Marciano http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1131139/1/index.htm And http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3529752
Floyd Patterson would have been first defense in 1956. In Late 1956/early 1957, Hurricane Jackson, Nino Valdes would have been viable options Late 1957-early 58 Eddie Machen and Zora Folley. Rocky would have been well past his prime by this point
If we follow Suzie Qs scenario then presumably Machen decisions a well faded Rock, if Floyd doesn't do something spectacular.
Gone was the one punch explosiveness of the first Walcott fight when Rocky fought Moore. In it's place was a machine like, methodical battering machine. He was more contained and relentless than even before. I think Moore had quite enough of Rocky Marciano for one lifetime.