Rocky Marciano (1951-52) Vs Larry Holmes (1980-82) 15 Rounds

If I had to bet the mortgage, it would be on Holmes. I don't think Marciano faced quite as good a boxer (Walcott was flashier than he was good), nor a great man as close to his prime. Holmes faced some powerful men, very powerful men and withstood each test put before him until Father Time was his opponent. And Holmes, in my book, ranks higher than Marciano in the HW rankings. Slightly better tools, longer duration (tho partly due to style), and the same ornery disposition.

 

While Walcott was up on the cards he wasn't dominating the fight by any stretch of the imagination. I would also suggest that Marciano made his own luck with that punch because he set it up beutifuly.

On the flip side of the coin, I don't think that Holmes ever dominated one of the elite fighters of his era. When he fought the best of the crop he invariably struggled. I see nothing on his record to even hint that he could dominate a fighter of the calibre of Marciano. Indeed if his only plan was to hide behind his jab and hope that Rocky didn't get past it, then he might as well conceed the fight at the press conference.

 

I don't see what i'd call a beat down - in fact I see most all fights for Rock versus any top 15 guy a tough tough fight - I do see a stoppage (late) with Larry really on quiz street wobbling around all over the place but he was a great boxer and a very competetive guy - he would force his boxing skills on Rocky - no way would Rocky find an easy way - but find a way he would - he would - he'd keep cutting down the distance moving forward focused and aiming his Suzy Q and also lefts - any punch but Rocky would get him - snipes nearly did and he was a million miles from being the great Rocky Marciano