Jim Jeffries v Rocky Marciano 15rds

This is quite a decent argument for Usyk to be favoured over Marciano now that I think about it.

P4P Rocky is a far superior fighter to Jeffries. I just don't think he's superior enough to overcome 30 pounds worth of disadvantage.

 

Every fighter who moves up in weight faces that same challenge. It's just most people gain weight when they move up.

We're saying Rocky will not gain weight, werew saying he will still be a 185 pound fighter.

And if we're saying that, I'm saying he isn't good enough to overcome said handicap.

 

I believe this is the most cordial we've ever been on the whole Rocky not gaining weight debate.

I kinda feel like the end of Rocky 4 when American and Russian fans bond over an exhibition fight.

 

Well yes, I’m staring to recognise the advantage ones own era really is to a champion. Usyk fighting 12 rounders on the kind of training, pace,, bigger gloves, officiating and rules available today would be more comfortable for Usyk than it would be for Rocky. Likewise, throw Usyk into the postwar gyms, diet, rules etc of the 1950s and things favour Rocky since he was the one who thrived back then.

 

But then again Old Foreman was able to knockout the HW champion of the world 20 years after being knocked out himself in the 70's.

Skills pay the bills. Rocky is someone I'd never completely write off. But here he's facing a world class man who outweighs him by 30 pounds. A man who is likely quicker and more accurate. He's doing this whilst fighting aggressively.

I pick Jeffries.

 

One of my favourite films.

 

Marciano by KO around the 6-10th rd with a Rex Layne type of stoppage or a 10th round beatdown....Jeffries got hit too much & against the Marciano aggresive non stop type of barrage even a good chin like Jeffires would cave

Marciano by KO 4-10 rds

 

Jeffries one of the most vulnerable and flawed champs on film.

Marciano literally beats the **** out of him.

I'll give it to Jeffries that he is committed to the body, but he's so hittable.

Marciano beats this dude from pillar to post.

Jeffries is bo match for ANY credible champ, even most challengers to the title.

 

You criticize Jeffries whenever you get a chance. Look-- unlike other famous champions like Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, and Joe Louis Jeffries was not stopped by sub-200-pound men. He wasn't floored either and many of them were punchers. I don't think Marciano hit any harder than Fitz. I think Fitz hit harder and had faster hands.

If we look at how styles make fights, this is a war. Charles v Marciano 1 was a pure war. Watch it. Rocky won it, but could not put Charles away.

When you have to punchers going at it, pick the one with the more proven chin, and if he's got 30+ pounds on him and significant reach advantage, well that makes it easier.

If you going to have rough stuff and clinching, pick the bigger man as well.

No one today thinks Ward, Kovalev, Gvozdyk, or Bivol, modern daylight heavyweights who are probably the same weight as Rocky was could compete at heavyweight today, do they? Wilder ( 215 ) as flawed as he is or Povetkin ( 222 )a few years ago would bounce them out. But Rocky a guy not even 6 feet tall, with a fighting weight around 187 pounds ( very close to what modern day light heavyweight are on fight night ) Would? Come one.

This is a good modern day light heavyweight division. And I use Wilder and Povetkin because they were close to what Jeffries weighed.

If we are talking 1950's, I think Jeffries would be even bigger, and more skilled.

 

Funny you mention water. I believe I remember reading how Sullivan used to drink whiskey between rounds. I’d love to see someone like Anthony Joshua bust out a bottle of Jameson in the corner.