Conn would offer the same type of trouble that he did Joe Louis, Godoy would be tough until the late rds and awkward, Walcott would be Walcott, Galento gets a few licks in before crashing, Buddy Baer makes it interesting until the 6-15th goes out like Layne, Simon awkward but goes brutally...Tommy Farr gives it a go but goes...Max Baer makes it interesting but takes a loss, Repeat war with Charles perhaps closer but no cigar for Ezz.....the hardest part here for Marciano would be fighting 3-4 times a year with his style and training routine, it takes its toll but I can not really favor anyone over him.
Two Questions. 1. Can Marciano beat a Jersey Joe Walcott who was 6 years younger than the Walcott who was in front on the score cards after 12 rds when they met ? 2.Marciano defended his title 6 times in 3 years. Louis defended his crown 7 times in 1941 alone! Can Marciano cope with that schedule with his style of swarming? Henry Armstrong was a swarmer with no reverse gear who had an insanely busy schedule during his prime years, but it made for a short career at the very top, say 1937-1940. Joe Frazier left a piece of himself in many rings until what was left wasn't quite enough anymore. Another Q. Marciano had on average 2 fights a year as champ. Louis had 3 in1938 his first full year as champion, 4 in39,and 4 in 40.. Marciano usually accumulated facial damage in his defences, could he sustain the work load that Louis did,or would barely healed injuries let him down?
Marciano would still be favored over Walcott. I don't see Marciano with his stamina having a problem with fighting, I do think he takes more injuries... He will not be able to match Joes pace with his clubbing, brawling style.....But, he wins every fight in my book, if given more years to do it.
It's not that simple though is it? He retired at 32. So when exactly are you calling his prime? 30, he was fighting has beens and old men. 25, he was fighting nobodies. 28, not much better. When?
Louis had one opponent who would always beat Rocky. Time. He might be favored over all of the challengers at his best, but he would never be able to maintain his high level of consistency over a twelve year period.
I think Walcott had a late boost in his career but after the famine years was much on a roll but still somewhat hot and warm. I think the Walcott that fought Marciano was fit as a fiddle and had a great night in fight 1 and his 2 fights against the greatest fighter that ever lived Brown Bomber were amazing. I think the biggest obstacle Marciano has is his insane training routine and fighting more often, I think being active helps him and keeps him sharp and ready but the wear and tear of 3-4 fights year for his style could either provoke injuries or possibly keep him stronger....hard to say
this would be the obstacle for his style. Marciano probably had 3-5 fights left in him in a 2 yr 6 month period so reaching almost 70 fights without a loss with his style would more than likely be improbable
