p4p where does Marciano rank in your atg list

Decent resume? Here is a number of features that very few or even no other fighter ever accomplished, during 100 years, summing over all weight classes:

-Knocked out every single at the time rated opponent he faced and is arguably the pound-for-pound greatest knockout artist in boxing, ever. A bald statement, but see the explanation below.

-Of the 6 title defenses, 5 were against the #1 contender and one was against the #2 contender;

-Has the highest winning percentage going back all the way to Figg;

-Has the highest knockout percentage;

-Has the highest winning rating against rated opponents (since ratings began);

-Has the highest winning and knockout percentage against Hall-of-Famers;

-Only fighter to have 6 victories over Hall-of-Famers without suffering a single loss;

-Marciano's top four opponents, reigned 25 years as champions and in championship fights not against Marciano or each other went 40-1 with 32 knockouts;

-At the end of his career, no opponents left in his weightclass or the one below that were any threat of him - he beat the best of his time.


On Marciano being arguable the best p4p knock out artist: I'm quoting OLD FOGEY (where is he, by the way?) here:

I think i'd rate Marciano in the top30, but that is purely based on "feeling"; i don't have an actual list and my knowledge of boxers smaller than welterweight pre-30's is too small to make a reliable list, so maybe i'm overrating him.

But to me it's really simple. There is not a single boxer in history of Marciano's weight or less that i'd pick over him. Of how many fighters can you make that statement? Really, how many? I'd give Dempsey 50/50 odds at best, Langford perhaps the same, but he's a bit of an enigma. Jack Johnson fought in a different time and might get blasted. Plus his best stuff was at higher weight than Marciano, just like Louis'.

Does he look bad on film at first sight? Sure. Perhaps even clumsy at times. But listen to ESB poster John Garfield, who saw Marciano:

 

Very Good, :good

 

I'd favor Dempsey slightly. 60/40. It's either Jack by KO in 2-3 rds or Marciano by late round stoppage. Walcott and Moore decked Rocky early but couldn't finish the job. If Jack hurts Rocky early which he probably would based on his style as a fast starter then he would probably end it. The word of the day is of course "IF". If he can't finish the job then Rocky will, somewhere around he 8th.

 

True. But even as a massive admirer of Louis I'm still not certain he was infallible.

What I'm saying is, I don't think he'd fare well against very durable guys who could also punch. Marciano falls into this category.

Which is why I asked, to see if anyone else felt the same way. Obviously I had my reasons as to why I felt Louis would win in all his pomp.

To be fair though, Louis' one 'prime' loss is easily accountable for if you give him a free pass for his training regime (Golf) and the way he avenged said loss.


CHRIS PONTIUS: EXACTLY what I was looking for:good:good:good

 

Thanks Chris.

 

I dont have a p4p list but if I made one I would be surprised to find him outside the top 50, he is one of the most interesting fighters to see discussed as he splits opinion more than almost anyone. It seems to me most people over/underrate him and I think the fact the he was a undersized HW makes him especially difficult to rank.

I would say prime, full size Louis takes 2/3 in a series, but it would be a long, hard night for him. All due respect to Dempseys power but I dont think it is enough to stop the Rock early and the longer that fight goes the more you must favor Marciano. A more recent fighter outside the super heavyweights I give at least a 50/50 chance to is Holyfield, though he has a better chance over 12 than 15.

 

marciano desereves to be rated higher than all champions who were kod for the title or only won it on points. youtube is unearthing more evidence of the quality of rocks top ten all the time, his record stands up. all the best guys of his era lost to guys he kod- and it was a good era!

 

Not very highly. Interesting guy, though. Rugged. I like that. Lucky to fight when he did, that's for sure.

 

No it wasn't. It was a terrible era, arguably the worst in the division's history.

 

Not too high. Top 50-60ish

 

The last time i done a list he was just out my top 30.