Larry Holmes vs Rocky Marciano

Frazier. 5 world title defences. ( Not interested in the NYSAC version )

Carnera. 3 defences.

Baer. Won title, lost in first defence.

Such devastating punchers.

You didn't say anything about hitting very hard originally. You said a 190 guy who knows how to punch will hit harder than the " non punching " Holmes.

The stats show your assertions to be both wrong and stupid. Marciano stopped 43 guys, Holmes stopped 44. You fail miserably, YET AGAIN.

 

Marciano is great as they come. Anyone under 190 would seriously have their hands full.

Maybe only Jones beats him under 190.

 

I would take the Cruiser weight Holyfield to tear him apart inside 6 rounds.

 

Never met a poster so void in knowledge. Why mention the number of defenses? Punching power is what we are discussing not boxing greatness. Thus number of defenses is inconsequential. Tell everyone the percentage of fighters Marciano koed vs Holmes please. Are you seriously stating Holmes hit harder than Marciano? If so the debate is over.

 

I would agree .I think Dempsey beats him, but I would go into debt to watch it.

 

Louis, Ali, Holmes, all fighters larger than Rocky would all have their hands full fighting him. Size is one of the last things to consider in the hwt division. Fighting ability, styles, will to win, chin, stamina, these are the pertinent points. Rockys low crouch, limitless stamina, will to win, punching power and ability to take punishment and not give up are the reasons he would give most all time greats all they can handle in the ring. Just like Louis, Ali and Holmes very few hwts in boxing history could overcome Rocky at his best. ALL are ATG hwt champions. Of the four Marciano hit the hardest punch for punch, followed by Louis (Walcott stated Marciano hit harder), followed by Ali and then Holmes (Norton stated Ali hit harder).

 

I assumed that nobody questioned that Marciano hit harder than Holmes, if nothing else.

 

This to me might be a FOTC. Amazing puncher, die hard slugger/swarmer. Marciano might have dropped Holmes, btw.

Holmes by UD 15, but not a shutout. Rocky would get his shots in. It's just...the image of Rock having his head snapped back by THAT jab is hard for me to shake.

 

Well, Shavers could be a roaringly intense finisher but it's as you said, he lost gas early. I think that's a symptom of being the hardest puncher IBH. It took THAT much energy to throw those nuclear shots.

That said, one of the things that made Larry great was how he peeled himself up from a shot that would have demo'd other ATGs.

 

Truth Rocky never thought anyone with a jab as good as Holmes

 

If we watch Holmes move against Shavers (1st fight) and Norton, we have a good idea of what he'd do against Rocky (though I prefer envisualizing the 1980 Holmes in this scenario, the one who started sitting into his right hands more).

Rocky would have won some rounds on aggression, and probably a round or two where Larry took a break. But Holmes would have been throwing combinations, vicious jabs, right hands to the body. It's possible Rocky would have floored him at some point, but that would mean Larry would have gone all out then to stop him...

to be honest, I don't see any knockdowns. Just Rocky chasing, chasing, and getting very frustrated (despite landing some serious bombs and probably shaking Larry up quite a bit at least a couple of times). But Larry would definitely get the nod imo.

 

Everyone always pretends that Rocky lasts through these rounds unscathed. The reality is that a fighter such as Holmes would have shipped infinitely more damage than old Walcott trying to buy rounds or a schlub like Layne. This is two bridges too far for the Rock. The gap in talent just too immense. To paraphrase a great man, Rocky couldn't carry Holmes' jock.

 

Marciano by late ko. Holmes did not have the power to stop rocky and it is a problem if you don't have a fast footwork like a prime Ali. Marciano would hit his ribs,arms,shoulders, chin , hips etc Holmes would dight well but he would take a beating and serious damage at the end of the fight

 

Walcott kept Rocky off him for 13 rounds, yet Holmes can't for 15?

 

How much lasted the rematch with walcott?
Jersey Joe had much better footwork than Holmes