Prime Larry Holmes vs prime Rocky Marciano (15 rounds)

tough fight early on but I see Marciano's pressure and right hand finding its mark. Rocky was also an excellent finisher but I see the fight going into the later rounds 11-15 with Rocky winning by a TKO or KO. Larry got starched 2 times by a shorter than Rocky, Nick Wells in the amateurs and Tyson got him in the pro's, although Larry was past his best. Also I seen Larry struggle with the rhythm breaking style of Spinks and a slipping Norton. A spirited battle but the will of the Rock breaks Larry's spirit in the Championship rds

 

Holmes Sweet Holmes........

MR.BILL

 

Sorry, Rocky.

 

You know that comma easily changes the statement to be misinterpreted.

 

The problem with your argument is that Rocky wouldn't have to just eat jabs... he'd also be getting a steady diet of atg right crosses, lead rights, lead 1/2 hooks, uppercuts on the inside...whew:-(...and a guy with a GREAT chin:scaredas:! So even if Rocky lands a clean overhand right on the button at some point(probable) you can bet that Larry's getting up, grabbing his lunch pale and getting back to work on route to a UD.

 

Hmm...

I am a bit confused on whether or not I detect sarcasm. This quote can be interpretative in two different ways.

 

But while I have no doubt Holmes would grab his lunch pale and return to work, the difference here is Marciano won't let him off the hook. Rocky was an all time great finisher, better than any Holmes ever faced(save Tyson)..Rocky will be all over Larry late. We know Larry can take a punch, we know he has heart, but can we wilt the pressure and the Suzy Q off one of the most fierce finishers in the history of late round boxing? We know Holmes can survive one bomb from Weaver, Shavers, Snipes, Witherspoon..but can he survive a devastating two fisted assassination finish by Rocky Marcisno?

On the flipside, can Rocky find a way to get inside of Holmes long arms? Holmes was very good at keeping a fighter away with that jab. In fact, he was one of the best. Rocky was good at slipping jabs, but Holmes jab is on another level. 6'2 Louis' thunderous jab pounded Rocky's face into raw meat in 51, Holmes 82" jab can do even better..and will. Holmes straight fast flurries will be rough for Rocky. Charles, Moore , Walcott, lastarza had success with fast straight flurries and counterpunches. Holmes might not have been as technically sound as those men, but he was quite slick himself and longer and fast. They will land on Rocco(who will be crouching and weaving with deception) and slice him up a bit. Can Rocky avoid being controlled and outboxed by a taller bigger ATG to the point where he has fallen to far behind on the cards? We know he can beat ATG 195lb boxers, but can he beat a 6'3 212lb 83" reach one?

 

Marciano was better at avoiding those other punches more so than the jab. I don't disagree that he'd be getting nailed by Holmes's hard right cross and uppercuts, but I don't think they would be as much of a factor as Holmes's jab was.

 

Holmes. He has far to many tools for Rocky to overcome.

 

Agreed. I was just trying to highlight just how much artillery Rocky would have to navigate through to get within range and land the right hand. I love Marciano but I just don't see it happening.

 

Anyone picking an easy fight for either is crazy. Holmes certainly has more tools, but he's not better with any of them than Rocky is with just old fashioned pressure, stamina, and a dynamite right hand. Why people sometimes think boxers have a stylistic advantage over Marciano astounds me. His record shows that his best victories are over top notch boxers and movers.

Holmes keeps his left hand way too low to survive in this one imo.

Marciano wins it by KO.

 

man this would be a war.i would favor holmes,but marciano has a good chance to wear him down

 

Again, there is hard evidence of Holmes exhibiting the ability to deal with adversity while in the ring with huge punchers. There absolutely zero evidence of Marciano dealing with the sort of length, skill and heart he'd encounter in Holmes.

 

Charles/Walcott are better than anyone Holmes ever beat and are closer to Holmes in terms of quality/style than anyone on Holmes resume with regards to Rocky.

Weaver is probably the closest thing to Marciano that Holmes ever faced and he is about 1/4 of Marciano. He gave Larry all he could handle.