So I just watched Tua vs Ike, and I can see ways for both winning. Both had brilliant workrates and stamina, but it's clear who's was better. Marciano threw more punches and threw everything into his shots, Ike threw alot of punches with no power. I can see this fight going a few ways, both sides are downplaying the other guy. There's certain similarities between the two, both had reliable chins (at least), both good infighters, both relatively slow, both were , both were inaccurate and could get wild. Then there differences are that Marciano was more powerful and aggressive whilst Ike was more fundamentally sound and versatile. So the outcome of this match depends on how Ike chooses to fight imo, as I can see a style that he has used that can get him a win. This content is protected Marciano comes out and Brawling using his superior workrate and conditioning to outwork Ike and with Ike stood there trading he lands his bombs with more ease than he's used to. The exchanges would be brutal, think the Layne fight but more competitive and less crude. It goes the distance, Marciano out hustles him to take a UD. This content is protected Ike fights like he did in the 9th round of the Tua fight then tieing Marciano up for minimal exchanges on the inside, the less he gets hit the better his chances are of taking a decision. He'd have to land his power shots at a distance and then start to chase Rocky down if he's hurt. I can see Rocky dropping enough rounds to lost a decision based on not landing as much and Ike's jab. For me, the chances of these happening are 75-25 in Scenario 1's favour. I see no reason to pick Marciano by KO however, in either scenario. Marciano didn't hit as hard as Tua imo, and Ike's chin is granite and his stamina is good enough to not breakdown under the Rock's pressure. Marciano UD12/15
You could say that Ike is unproven in a 15 rounder and that Marciano finally breaks him down in the championship rounds That being said I don't believe that, and regard Ike as one of the very few people who could consistently go the distance with Rocco in a 15 rounder
Perhaps the roof fell in on Ike's career at exactly the right time. You have this incredible fight between him and Tua, and it looks like they might be the future of the division, but of course Tua goes on to be a bust. Is it a big reach to think that the same could have happened to Ike, given his obvious issues? One scenario, is that he gets demolished by Lewis, then goes into free fall!
Tua didn't exactly go on to be a bust, though. He remained a good contender throughout his career. Either before or after Ibeabuchi, Tua beat at least three future belt holders -- Rahman, Ruiz, and Maskaev. Plus a few other people.
I’m going to inject my random uncalled for opinion and say one of the most impressive master classes at HW would be Archie Moore washing Ike out.
Perhaps my description was a bit unfair, but I expected more of him, and I think that others here did too.
He watched men with much less potential hold a belt, and never held one himself. Perhaps he didn't need one, if some people still think that he could beat Louis!
Moore was 41 when he fought Marciano, but otherwise you are spot on. Evidence of exact age when he fought [url]here[/url].
The problem I have with this analyses was Ike was very skilled, could box or brawl, & given his size I would have to favor Ike. Also Ike vs. Tua set a record for most punches thrown in a HW bout: & that includes 15 rounders. With Ike throwing the majority of the punches, I believe landing an average of over 80? So it is not plausible Rocky outlands him, although it might be close. Also I do not think Ike was mostly landing love taps lol!
