Marciano vs. Holyfield

The only way Holy stops Marciano is on cuts, I picked Evander in a close but clear decision in an all-action fight that Marciano controled for the last 4 rounds, but I see Holy surviving Marciano's late assault. I agree that Holy isn't going to wear down Rocky late and stop him, but the fight being stopped due to cuts is a possibilty. Holyfield loved to brawl, but he would know the dangers of doing this with Marciano. Of course he would at times, that's who he was, but with a strict and measured gameplan, like he had in the 2nd Bowe fight, I see Holyfield minimizing the amount of brawling he would do against Marciano. I don't see The Rock wearing down prime Holyfield who is generally boxing and not brawling in this fight, even in 15 rounds, although he would be in control for the final rounds.


It's all about whether or not you feel Rocky stops him late. I personally don't, and I'll say Holyfield banked enough early rounds, maybe dropped Marciano early as well, to take the decision.

 

It probably would be filled with fouls from both fighters, but I don't see either one complaining if it were to happen so it would just add to the fight. Charles was past his best when he met Marciano, and Holyfield really had a much better chin than Charles, and was a harder puncher and physically bigger and stronger. He isn't as skilled defensively, doesn't have quite the same level of fottwork as the fading Charles did, and may not have been as accurate a puncher, but he could box well enough to keep Marciano away for the most part in the first 7 or 8 rounds, it would turn into a war from there on until about round 12, where Marciano would take over with Holyfield occasionally firing a combination and still having enough left to go all 15.

That's how I see it. Plus, Rocky goes down in the first 6 at some point, Holyfield goes down in the last 4 at some point. It would be a great fight.