Marciano vs. Holyfield

15 rounds.

I give the edge to Holyfield in this fight. He has an advantage in size, speed, and overall skill.


Marciano will always be there, looking to land the power shot, but Holyfield stood up to the punches of Tyson, Bowe, Lewis, and Foreman, so I don't see Rocky being able to stop Holyfield.


Could be the most action-packed fight in Heavyweight history.

 

I agree on Rocky's stamina being far above those I mentioned, but even so, I think Holyfield can match the Rock in durability and stamina and toughness, and if not match it, have enough to stay in for 15 rounds and take a decision. If Evander doesn't get lured into a brawl and actually boxes for the vast majority of the fight, I don't see Marciano winning. But like I said, great action throughout.

 

It's all about whether or not you feel Holyfield survives Marciano's late assault, I personally feel he does, and that gives him the decision. I don't see the Rock, for all his power, pressure, and roughness stopping prime Holyfield.

 

I don't see Marciano's edge in chin, stamina, heart, durability, determination, and rough tactics, I think Holyfield is his equal in all of these dept. The prime Holyfield, from the 2nd fight with Qawi to the 2nd fight with Bowe, can match the Rock in every way except power. He is faster, a more skilled boxer, and the taller fighter with the much longer reach. I don't see Rocky stopping this Holyfield, and that means he gets the decision, despite Marciano's surge in the late rounds. I also feel that Holy of the Bowe fights (200-210lbs) may be the stronger fighter, and I don't know of anyone that the Rock fought who was stronger than him. He would know the dangers of getting into a brawl, and would minimize how much this would happen (of course it would happen though), generally keeping Rocky off and outboxing him from the outside.

 

I personally don't feel Walcott was a superior boxer than Holyfield. Crafty for sure, but I give the technical edge to Holyfield. Charles was past his peak both times he met Marciano, and he did not have the chin that Evander had nor was he as big and strong as Holyfield, a lesser puncher at heavyweight as well, but still went all 15 rounds with him because of his phenomonal boxing skill. I don't see Marciano eventually getting to Holyfield and stopping him. He would hurt him late, but I don't see Rocky stopping prime Evander. Quite honestly, I feel Holy has roughly the same chance of stopping Rocky late as much as Marciano has of stopping him. Evander can go through hell and back with Marciano, and there is no disputing his edge in skill and speed.

 

No one fights like Walcott. He was very unorthodox, but on textbook boxing skill, when he applied it, I give Evander the edge over Walcott. Walcott's footwork is unusual and unpredictable, but for upperbody movement and blocking skills he wasn't any better than prime Holyfield, I give Evander the edge in jabs, and he was a better combination puncher. Walcott was also clearly defeating Marciano before the late rounds, until Rocky got to the 38 year old (perhaps older) champion in round 13. On technical skills, Holyfield is on Walcott's level, and probably a little better. His chin is also superior, and he is quite possibly stronger than Marciano, which would be a big factor in this fight.