Rocky Marciano '53 vs. Ezzard Charles '48

Ezzard was only 3 years older than Marciano, a fair fight IMO. A younger Rock wears Ezzard down and Ko's him by round 10

 

Actually less than that.
Rock 09/01/23
Charles 07/07/21

Bout I:
Rocky 30
Charles 32

Bout 2:
Rocky 31
Charles 33

So two years between them, both in early 30s.

Some other considerations:

Charles turned pro at a much younger age. Had the Rock turned Pro at a younger age he to could have competed in lower classes.

Their weights at comparable ages:

Charles at 30:
182-191.5
Marciano at 30:
184-187.5

Charles at 28:
178-182
Marciano at 28
184-187

Charles at 26:
170-176
Marciano at 26:
179-189

The wear and tear argument:
Charles had a longer career, turned pro as a teen, and had more fights in other divisions.
Marciano still fought 49 fights at HW against mostly heavier men in a 6 year span.

No way of knowing who took truly more punishment. The Rock as a crude swarmer in his early career certainly didn't have many easy nights.


I think the Rock was certainly more at his peak, but the "old LHW " Charles argument is blown way out of proportion.