Good point. Johansson took out Machen in 1 round. I disagree re the Maxim point made above. I think Maxim fought Patterson as a fairly technical, ring-wise veteran boxer, not as a brawler. There was some controversy about the decision too. It was a close fight. Not one you can really use against Floyd given that he was really very green at that point going up against a guy with scores of pro experience on an elite level. But I do agree that Marciano would have been too much for both Patterson and Johannsson. Regardless, at some point, a fighter has to look at how much he has in the bank, and weigh that against all the time and effort it takes to train, and the punishment he has to absorb in training and the fights, and ask if it is worth it anymore. Clearly, Marciano felt he had enough.
Rock still had enugh he was being sought to fight Ingo 59! He probably would have given Floyd parylized, & kod him in FIRST round!!!!:yep:yep
I know this is a little off track, but I heard once that Marciano was offered a fight with a young up-and-coming Cassius Clay. This seems pretty far-fetched. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this?
Gus D'Amato had no plans to go after title if Marciano was still champ, he only moved Paterson up when Rocky announced retirement. That sums it up for me.