Jack Sharkey (Dempsey fight), Vs Marciano?

Walcott was not the sort to make boastful claims he could not back up, but he did say regarding Marciano before their first fight “If I can’t beat this amateur, I’ll retire,”.

It is not hard to see why Marciano would be underestimated until you had faced him, a short in height, short of arm fighter who because of his fight style, looked like a prime candidate to be a punch bag for a fighter of Walcotts skill level.

Even a smart experienced boxer like Walcott underestimated Rocky, so that must mess with such fighters psychologically.

 

Marciano wins a very competitive fight, but his rough busy tactics would frustrate Jack

 

50/50 fight imo

 

Marciano sparks him.

 

Sharkey knows how to fight on the inside, is very tough, has great defense and stamina and has superb defensive skills with a really good jab on top.
A prime Sharkey would be leagues above anybody in Marciano's resume and I don't see a clear cut victory for Rocky here.
Sharkey has all the tools and size he needs to get a decision win but Rocky could also outpoint him or knock him out. Very interesting match up.

 

I don't think Sharkey was leagues above Charles or Walcott.
Marciano's dirty tactics would unsettle Jack and make him lose his composure imo.

 

Probably above the versions of them that Marciano fought though.

 

Yes probably, but leagues above is an exaggeration,imo.

 

Yeah, I think Sharkey between 1925-1930, who got through Wills, Loughran and Godfrey was leagues above a 39 year old Walcott and a clearly past prime Ezzard Charles.
In their primes Walcott and Charles are about are about the same as Sharkey but not when they fought Rocky.
Sharkey had the size, athleticism and all the inside rough fighting knowledge he needed to match Marciano.

 

Marciano via late round stoppage. But it's a competitive fight.