I think an absolutely best Schmeling could make this a mini classic but still cannot pick against Marciano .. it is a terrific match up as Schmeling took an amazing punch and had a huge heart ...
As much as I like Max, I must say that Marciano was on a different level. Max was a very good fighter but he was not the most durable HW ever. There is no shame in being stopped by a prime Joe Louis (LKOby1) or even Max Baer (LKOby10) but KO losses to Gypsy Daniels (LKOby1), Larry Gains (LKOby2), and Max Diekman (LKOby4) are unforgivable. He also beat Daniels (W10) and Diekmann (KO1). He compiled a record of 56-10-4 (40) and went 2-2 (1) in HW world title bouts. He had 5 decision losses, some were close, some questionable. He also fought- Joe Louis KO12, Paulino Uzcudun W12, D12, W15, Mickey Walker KO8, Jack Sharkey WDQ4 and LSD15, Young Stribling KO15, Steve Hamas KO9, L12, and others. Marciano went 49-0 (43) overall and 7-0 (6) in HW world title bouts. He also went 6-0 (5) vs. Hall of Famers... Louis KO8, Walcott KO13, KO1, Charles W15, KO8, and Moore KO9. He was only dropped twice in 49 fights... vs. Walcoltt (KO13) and Moore (KO9).
Schmeling took an amazing punch? Did you see what Max Baer did to him in the 10th round? or Gypsy Daniels and Larry Gains for that matter?
Schmeling took awesome punishment in that 10th round. Difficult to say what happened to Daniels and Gains, but on film he seemed to take a very good punch for the most part.
Did you ? Baer was a big time puncher and landed bomb after bomb on Max till Schmeling finally crumbled ... I'd say Max had a more proven chin than Rocky .. not better but he fought much bigger punchers ... he also took bg bombs from Louis in the first fight ..
I think Marciano is the worst possible opponent for Schmeling for two reasons: one-that crouch would probably help negate Schmelings best weapon, the straight right. two-Schmeling was at his best at long-range fencing, using that big right to counterpunch. He was at his worst when pressured by an aggressive fighter, the very definition of Marciano. I think Marciano is the better fighter, but styles also favor him.
Schmeling was a sharp shooter .. his best punch waqs a fast, stright right, not a Ken Norton over hand right .. that being said I still pick Rocky.
The punch that finally put him down was tremendous, and Schmeling still got up. He was trying to get up against Louis, too. Schmeling had an excellent chin and was very tough.
He Grant "fast, straight right" Yes, much better description than overhand right. I will edit the orginal post to straight right. I still think Marciano's deep crouch might nullify it to a considerable extent.
Yep, because "Joe Louis figureing him out" was the only reason there. Max Schmeling was a better fighter than Jersey Joe.
As he said , Cream > Schmelling . Schmelling had lots of stoppage losses in his record , worse than Terry Norris considering the quality of opponents that destroyed him. Norris at least lost to at least very good fighters , Schmelling lost to people no 1 should care about besides of their stoppages over Schmelling.
I don't want to nit pick but against Baer it doe seem that Max took some good punishment before being bombed out..he might have been liable to get caught early...Even on the 1st Louis fight he took some good punches... The punch Baer floored him with , could have floored any body. He might have vulnerable to the early KO but in general I will say he was tough and did take a good punch...his straight right hand was also a very good punch. A top form Max gives Rocky one of the best fights of his life.