Marciano versus Tunney

Over 12 Rounds Gene's must have a shot, but over 15 i like Rocky, i think Gene will initially cope with Rocky's aggression, but Rocky will not stop and after the half way stage Rocky will be catching Gene much more readily, i can see a late stoppage for Rocky, Gene's Legs were good, but not sure if that alone will keep him ahead of a fast closing Rocky who can scent victory.

 

Marciano was very good against skilled veterans/movers. He knocked out Walcott twice, Charles, Moore and LaStarza. I think Tunney will win a lot of the early rounds, but from round 8 on, he'll get tired from Marciano's relentless pressure and heavy hands. Rocky's unorthodox punches would start getting through more and more enroute to a late stoppage or maybe a decision like the first Charles fight.

 

Marciano presents too much pressure consistently-

Marciano KO12

 

Marciano- Tunney's wins over an over the hill Dempsey just don't show us enough

 

Don't see Tunney having enough starch on his punches to mess Marciano up enough to stay away for the whole fight.

Marciano TKO-9

 

Two senarios:


12 rounder: Tunney, by close decision.

15 rounder: Marciano, late TKO (whilst being down on the scorecards)

 

The thing about Tunney is that he is relatively unproven against heavyweights.

He had two great performances against Dempsey, but that's about it. Other than that, he didn't really face good heavyweights. How his chin holds up is a bit of a question mark. Dempsey did not land much but nearly had him out when he did. A middleweight with a similar style to Marciano beat him, arguably twice.

 

I like Marciano by decision

 

I like Marciano by KO early.

 

Marciano KO 9

Gene Tunney fought Dempsey at the tail end of his career. Prime for prime its gotta be the Rock. That man was a wrecking machine in his day.

 

Tunney had the speed, chin and skill to take Marciano the distance and if he did he'd probably get a decision. Marciano had the power and durability to wear Tunney down and KO/TKO him late. Tough call. I also wouldn't discount Marciano getting stopped late on cuts.

 

Marciano is a boxer's nightmare. A large, fast, mobile phenom would be apt to wave the red cape and get by with a decision -perhaps slicing him up along the way -Ali springs into focus.

Tunney does not have the mobility or the firepower to avoid him all night without getting sapped or keep him at bay. Tunney may limp to the 15th, but I wouldn't be shocked if Marciano ruins him inside 9.

 

I would'nt be so quick to dismiss Tunney's chances. Gene would be the most mobile HW that Rocky ever faced while Rocky would be one of the slowest opponents that Gene ever faced. Dempsey, even thogh he was'nt in his prime, was still probably faster and more mobile than Rocky ever was and Gene boxed circles around him and cut him up badly as well. And Gene was a thinking man's fighter. He would study Marciano very carefully and determine his strengths and weaknesses before taking him on. Gene I'm sure would realize that mobility would be the key to beating Rocky as well as a good fast jab employed continuously as well. Gene was tough too. After getting mauled by Greb in thier first fight, Gene went to school and beat Harry something like3 more times. No easy feat to say the least. This is a tough fight to call IMO. If Rocky wins then it's by a KO. If not then Gene outboxes the slower Marciano or stops him due to nasty cuts late in the fight. This is a classic boxer vs puncher matchup and a difficult one to pick.