Rocky Marciano (1952) vs Muhammad Ali (1975)

Ali prior to Manila still had what it took to halt Marciano's winning streak...... Ali W15 Marciano......

MR.BILL:bbb

 

Ali was taken life and death by a fat nearly washed up Joe Frazier in 75. God, can you imagine if that had been a peak Marciano in there instead of a badly declined joe frazier? Ali would have gotten killed taking those shots. Manilla was a Great fight, great effort, but it was two well past there prime greats looking slow and old. Not anything like FOTC 4 years earlier. That 75 version of Frazier would have been iced by a prime Marciano. Seriousely, if Marciano proved anything..it was his ability to beat older ATG's. I see no reason why Ali is different. Ali of 75 would have been blown out by a prime Frazier too.

Marciano clearly takes this one. Ali did not have the speed and reflexes anymore. Heart and Size won't beat Marciano. What's Ali going to do stand in front of Marciano and slug with him? Try Rope a dopes? He'll get killed.


ps I think a 1960s Ali beats Marciano. That Ali had Speed/Reflexes/Range to go with his superior size.

 

suzie :good

 

Marciano was relentless a nightmare for any version of Ali, Marciano goes into 2nd gear last 3rd of the 15 rounder and get a the KO

 

I don't think Rocky stops him ... there was still a quantum leap between the Charles or Walcott that Rocky fought and that Ali fought as far as physical toughness, strength and the ability to absorb punishment. It is definitly possibly that it is a very close decision in Rocky's favor. I can see Rocky coming on late and making it very tough.

 

Agree 100%. If Ali thought Frazier was relentless, consider that Marciano had the best stamina and punch output of any heavyweight - he averaged 80-85 punches per round, and most of those weren't jabs. He ran 5-6 miles every day even when not training for a fight, and would do 15 miles a day in the weeks leading up to a bout. His training camps lasted 4-5 months.

The amount of punishment that would accumulate would be brutal. If anyone can take it, it's Ali, but 15 rounds of that is eventually going to catch up to him. I suspect a Marciano points win or maybe a TKO in the last few rounds. Marciano will win just by exhausting and pummeling a rope-a-doping Ali.

IMO ALi needs to use his great footwork constantly for 15 rounds to win this matchup. The young Ali can do that and should cruise to a clear victory over Marciano, but the old Ali can't.

 

I know I am in the minority (Perhaps the only one???), but I am not convinced a Prime Ali would beat a Prime Marciano...I do think it would be a highly competitive fight between 2 contrasting styles, and Ali would likely be a prohibitive favorite...but I think it would be ultra close!

But a 75 version against a Prime Marciano...Marciano would be the big favorite here, and I don't see Ali getting to him mentally or emotionally! Although marciano and Frazier are not as similar as sometimes gets made out??? I agree with the assessment that Marciano would bring alot more than a 75 Frazier did...I don't see Ali making the whole 15 at this point of his carear!

 

Marciano UD. Possible late stoppage. Ali didn't have the mobility like he did in his younger days and would be on the ropes for Rocky.

 

The Ali of the 1970's became a punching bag...look at him now!!! A prime Marciano pounds the body and takes this one...

 

I think 1975 versions of ALi/Frazier are underrated here, yes they were past their best but they were still 2 of the best ever, Ali wasn't far from his Foreman form. That also was an emphatic win for Ali

The reason Frazier did so well wasn't just pressure, it was a great consistant left hand that was 1 of the best lefts in history, combined with speed and pressure. Marciano's left isn't as good as Fraziers and he isn't as quick. Ali isn't as easy to hit with the right hand either.

Ali Close UD

 

Both Ali & Frazier were **** by this point. Their third fight is the most overrated encounter in the history of the heavyweight division. I've seen spryer specimens beating on each other in alleyways. Compeeling, yes it was. But a clash of two great fighters it wasn't... not at this point.

Even the limited Marciano abuses Ali here. Merciful stoppage in 13

 

Hell no, I was able to track that punch down. The fight footage shows Marciano out feit Walcott with a left, making Walcott counter with his right hand, and Marciano driving home with the right cross.

The photo punch happen in round 7.

 

ali on cuts

 

Marciano would succeed where Frazier failed in 75. Marciano's two fisted attack would wear him down and the Rock's defense was better than Joe's; he wouldnt get hit as much.

 

ali would rip marciano's skin to shreds if he didn't ko him first.