If you had a bet a large sum of money on one of these guys beating a prime Marciano, what order would you pick to place a wager on them. Jack Johnson Gene Tunney Jack Dempsey Jess Willard Harry Wills
Tunney Dempsey Johnson Wills Willard Tunney is a favourite, Dempsey is 50-50, the rest are underdogs.
Johnson Dempsey Tunney Wills Willard In my view only top two have a good chance of beating him. Tunney while a great I feel would be stopped by rock as would the bottom two.
I don't think Tunney stands a better chance than Ezzard Charles. I honestly don't think Tunny could do anything Charles didn't. But like Charles Gene would make it tough. I was not impressed with film of Wills when it turned up. I don't know what all the fuss was about with him. He was knocked out by the great Sam Langford who was smaller than Rocky too. Dempsey would create a slugfest. A prime Dempsey is a tougher proposition than either Tunney or Wills, he was regarded unbeatable at his best. Willard? Target practice. Johnson had that ability to turn everything a fighter had going for himself and turn it against the opponent. At his best, Johnson is a nightmare for any fighter in history. Rocky would try and outwork him and Johnson would tie him up. There is potential here that Johnson could neutralise and frustrate Rocky. But at the end of the day didn't Marvin Hart beat him? I would bet on Dempsey and Johnson but I would be surprised if either wager paid off.
