Rocky Marciano vs Evander Holyfield

One of the best fantasty fights of all time. I have no interest in picking a winner.

 

It's been a while since I've joined in on this discussion.

Prime vs. Prime! Holyfield is about 3" taller, 20 Lbs. heavier, and a has about an 8" longer reach. Notice I didn't say advantage? Marciano never tried to box somebody from the outside. He got in close worked the body, head, and anything else he could hit. Whatever he hit he usually hurt... elbows, shoulders, wrists, arms, heads, necks, ears... whatever. The question is, would that be enough vs. Holyfield?

Holyfield was faster and had better footwork.

Marciano was down only twice in 49 pro fights and never lost.

Both men are all-time greats, both could take a good shot, both came well prepared, and both had the ability to hurt any fighter they faced.

Neither man could be intimidated, neither would ever quit, neither man took the easy road.

They both fought the best fighters available.

Marcianio beat Hall of Famers Louis, Walcott x2, Charles x2, and Moore. He also beat Roland LaStarza x2, Rex Layne, Harry Matthews, and Don Coc-
kell among others.

Holyfield beat Hall of Famers Qawi x2, DeLeon, Foreman, Holmes, and Tyson x2. Holyfield also beat more Lineal HW Champs than any other fighter. He beat Douglas, Foreman, Holmes, Bowe, Moorer, Tyson x2, and Rahman. He also drew with Lewis.

He drew with Hall of Famer Lewis. There may be a few more future Hall of Famers on Holyfield's resume like Bowe, Moorer, Czyz, and Ruiz??? You never know.

I'll take Holyfield by decision.

 

I like Evander by virtue of his boxing ability, conditioning, chin and size advantage. He's also proven against fighter's of Marciano's stature and similar style. An entertaining fight to be sure and Marciano would give a great account of himself.

 

I am assuming Holyfield as cruiser here. Holy liked a war and Marciano would be eager to please in this respect. This plays into Marciano's hands at that point. A brutal battle ensues with Rocky winning a close decision. There's just not going to be a ton of tricky science going on here, just two well schooled, tough as nails fighters with giant hearts.

 

Evander. Rocky has never beaten an elite fighter close to their prime. Jersey Joe and Archie were approaching 40, and Ezzard had been through countless beatings. And all of them were natural light heavies who still gave Marciano major issues

Evander in his prime at cruiser or heavyweight will be way to much. Decision or cuts stoppage

 

It's an old cliche'..."It's not the size of the dog in the fight...it's the size of the fight in the dog"...this will be a war...love Holyfield...one of my all time favs...but I've got to go with Marciano...both have guts galore...hearts like a lion....I just wouldn't bet against a prime
Rocky...

 

Evander at his best was usually between about 208-210, but yeah the fact still stands that he'd be significantly larger, and nearly all of that extra size would be muscle weight.

 

He did box a bit more wisely and even looked to be a tad stronger on the surface for that one.

 

I like the Evander that fought Douglas to defeat Marciano .. too big, fast, strong .. in addition, Holyfield had a tremendous chin as well ..

 

Marciano by a late round stoppage.

 

That Holyfield looked incredible but was it because Douglas was coming in on the ass end of months of clebrating and partying?
The uppercut ruined Holy from Bowe and he had a tendency to stand in front of guys, Marciano twirling uppercut could take him out

 

If Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson uppercut couldn't take out Holyfield, what make you think Rocks uppercut would?