Rocky Marciano vs Evander Holyfield

I think Holyfield has the style to beat Marciano, but it only takes one punch to ruin that scenario.
A great fight, for sure.

 

Flying Frenchman and yourself have it right. There really isn't room for argument with regards to their size. Frenchman's comments on Charles' quality circa 1954 also mirror my own.

 

I don't think there is any real evidence Holyfeild was anything more than Charles height wise. The only thing we can say with real conviction is Evander was less than 6'3" and over 5'11". They were both genuine six footers but not a Larry Holmes or Ali species of tall.

I cannot dispute this since this is recorded. Charles was 169lb at the same age so we are talking 8lb. What is 8lb between six footers?

that's not a big difference though is it? Holyfeild was 177 at 22,23 years old.

But it is negligible really isn't it? It's like the difference between Ali and Ken Norton. Or Louis and Schmeling.
It's not a clear weight class really is it? 176-188. In Charles' day this was still heavyweight. Both guys would be regarded around the same size.

 

:huh I love Holyfield? I'm just being realistic about him?

And I don't think Holy took Rid**** lightly whatsoever - to the contrary I think he new that this was the biggest test he had had to that point - and he came in at 205 his lightest as champion - which suggests he trained his ***** off? You're right about Bowe taking him lightly in the rematch and look what happened Bowe was much worse and Evander capitalised - that was my point - Bowe comes in the same shape with the same determination as the first fight and Holy doesn't win - same with Marciano he would be facing a genuine threat some one in possibly even better shape than him and in prime and we're talking best form etc etc - if he don't beat Bowe in top shape prime and form he don't beat one of the top 10 heavies of all time

 

I don't see a prime Evander losing to too many people who are giving up size against him. He has the right style and physical attributes to neutralize an inside attacker.. Tyson tried to bully his way into Holyfield and Evander tied him up and threw him off balance every time. That was a past prime Holyfield dealing with a bigger and stronger version of Marciano. Throughout his career Holyfield battled life and death with men who exceeded him in lbs and inches and in some cases even youth. And I can't imagine him being stopped when at the peak of his game.

 

I shall concede that the majority feels Holyfeild was only marginally bigger then. I stand corrected, from this day forward I shall refer to Evander as being only marginally bigger than Charles before he built himself up rather than the same size.

 

Holyfield only ever beat one undefeated fighter Alex Stewart. Rocky grinds him down and it is stopped in the later rounds.

 

I know E.H. was young and old but Quawi was 5"5 and gave him a good battle 1st time, James Toney 5"9 and stopped him with body shots, Czyz was 5'9 and held up pretty good, Bert Cooper and Sherman Williams were listed at 5"11 and these guys gave him more trouble than some of the Bigger men Evander fought ....even Chris Byrd listed at 6'1 beat him while most thought Evander beat Valuev

 

The sentence highlighted in red is the crux of the whole issue.

 

Holyfield busts him up pretty good and stops him within 10 rounds.

 

Holyfield is too big, quick and skilled for Rocky, who'd be game but get lit up way too much.

You mean like Marciano only ever beat old small men?

 

The Bobby C fight was right before the Tyson fight and Evander did not look so great and BC was a legitimate middleweight/light heavyweight and Bert Cooper was a title defense