[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzV9Ve4pBk4[/ame] What Stands out for me with this video is that Ali says Rocky is better then Joe, Considering the fights he had with Joe that is a Big statement from Ali It Basically Means its a Toss up. Many people Underestimate Rocky, Its Obvious that Muhammad Ali DID'NT
Ali says what I pretty much think. He would be in the fight of his life. A peak-form 1960's Ali has a good chance, but post-layoff, no. Marciano was a far more debilitating puncher than Frazier, and too rough an opponent to lay on the ropes against.
I have seen this. ali is of the belief great equals great in any era. To truly dominate an era in the way ali also did he would have to respect that rocky did this also. Boxing is about levels, to stand out at the top level proves it.
And he is so consistent in his praise of fighters from other era s... [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPiLGbDrGnw[/ame]
Jack Dempsey was no Rocky Marciano and great in H2H terms does not equal great in Dempsey's day. That is clearly Ali's opinion seeing those two clips. And besides... [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdjblkRkoPU&feature=related[/ame]
Have to agree with Ali on the Rock, and anyone who saw the fairly slow Chuvalo hammer Ali's body on the ropes in the first '60's bout over and again won't question the Rock would have had a good chance here. I've heard the argument that Ali let George catch him on the ropes and let go to the body but having seen the bout a few times I disagree. George had the strength to put him there when he got close and a few times Ali got tagged enough where the got riled up and unloaded on George in response. I see the Rock hurting Ali to the body enough where it would leave openings for his short right hands to catch Ali to the head also. For me the bout is a toss up,,,you?
Personally I think every guy in the top 13 or 14 heavyweights in history would be tough tough hard fights for The Rock - but I just think he prevails - as far as comparisons go I do think Marciano beats Ali, but I think Dempsey (of Willard fight and year previous to that) also beats Ali and I think Joe Louis (of Max Baer fight) beats Ali too - I think Jack Johnson is also a paper thin difference almost 50/50 - but again I think any fight with anybody who I'd rate over Jersey Joe Walcott would be really tough fights for Rocky to win - but I think he pulls it out when he has to.
Don't know but he would be a tough opponent. Check out this vid! [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b0yHvw-vW0[/ame]
Marciano is pretty underrated in general especially on ESB. I made a thread asking where people rank him p4p and 50% of people had him within their top30, with about 30% in their top10. But you also had 50% of people who had him outside their top30, with about 30% outside their top50. The average would have him ranked at 31-40 so I would still say that he is extremly underrated.
Rocky was awesome. He has way too many haters, and for all the wrong reasons. I know, I used to be one of them.
I love the dude, have him way up there in a pound for pound sense. But the mere suggestion that a 40 pound weight difference between world class heavyweights would factor in a head to head match draws charges of heresy in these parts.
I think that Marciano would be an absolute stylistic nightmare for Ali and a serious threat to beat him. I still regard Ali as the greater fighter and Ali would probably suport me in this conclusion but he recognised that Marciano was a bad matchup for him.