Rocky Marciano vs. FOTC Muhammad Ali

UD for Ali.

 

Rocky would kill him perhaps worse than Frazier did. I think this would be very similar to the fantasy Superfight they fought.

 

Ali by decision,or referee stops it due to Marciano's cuts. Okay,Rocco won a lot of his fights despite being cut,but Ali's slashing punches would make him bleed more profusely than ever before. Muhammad would probably be on the canvas early on though.

 

That's how I feel. Rocky would give Ali a terrible beating, or lose on cuts. Eithier scenario is a tossup.

 

Ali because Marciano isn't as fast as Frazier making it easier for Ali to pick him off

 

That's what helped to clinch it for me.

 

Ive said this before and I will say it again. I fully expect Rocky Marciano to beat ANY version of a 1970s Muhammad Ali. If Ali ever tried to Rope A Dope Marciano, he would get destroyed. However, I fully expect a late 1960s Peak Muhammad Ali to win a close but clear Unanimous Decision over Rocky Marciano. That Ali was a different breed, only joe louis could beat that breed.

 

Agreed. Marciano could probably drop Ali early in the fight and hurt him, but he's not fast enough moving forward or cutting off the ring.

Ali UD 15 rounds.

 

I agree with both points here as to Rocky's chances.

To answer the specific queston of the FOTC Ali, I think that Ali was too immobile and spent too much time on the ropes for my tastes; I think Rock could've cut the ring off on that version and lay a beating on Ali similar to the one Frazier did, if not worse. Rocky thrived on opponents like that and I see him doing a number on Ali's body and face- Muhammad never could adjust to the left hook Frazier threw in that fight although it was really the only thing Frazier was successful with consistently; I don't like his chances of shutting down a pressure fighter who instead of chasing one punch, took every one you'd give him even if it wasn't a proper "scoring" blow.

The earlier Ali had the footspeed to avoid such a predicament unless he felt like trading; the FOTC version, for whatever reason-and fighting a better swarmer could quite possibly be a huge part of it-didn't, or couldn't, use lateral mobility to save himself from punishment. Not only did he not have that, but Ali didn't display the pure defensive skills many associate with him in this bout. Tying up with someone with the short arms and inside game of Marciano as frequently as he'd have tried to would've resulted in a losing, and painful, proposition for Ali.

 

Gotta go with Ali in this one. Frazier was trouble for Ali because he showed that he was quick enough to close the gap between he and Ali and due to his constant bobbing and weaving was able to dodge enough shots to stay in the game. Rocky didn't move as fast as Joe both in feet and head and his arms were considerably shorter. Ali would have the advantage of landing his shots from a distance with less chance of being hit in return. Ali would be the biggest, most mobile and toughest opponent Rocky ever faced. If Rocky is to win he'll have to consistently close the gap without taking too many shots from Ali in order to land his shots. Rocky would have his moments I'm sure but I don't see him stopping Ali which means he would have to decision him and I don't see that either. What I do see is Ali stopping Rocky on cuts late in a tougher than expected battle.

 

Marciano ud or late TKO with Ali not getting off of the stool.

Everytime Ali got on the ropes Marciano would punish him worse than Frazier did. Marciano's right was more powerful than Frazier's left hook, and Marciano had a very hard left hand too. Where ever Marciano would land, it would do damage and would grind Ali down. I think when Ali got stuck on the ropes, Marciano would hit him with a constant barrage of shots like he did to Archie Moore, not all of them would land clean, or even land on the head or stomach at all, but he would be devasting Ali's arms and shoulders.

The first few rounds would be tough for Marciano, and he would probably end up cut, but when he got cut is usually when the fight was just getting started for him.

 

I think it is the other way around. the 1970s Ali did not have the speed or lateral movement anymore to escape Marciano. The 1970s Ali loved to take punishment against the ropes.

 

I wouldnt say 'kill' but could have been a late stoppage as FOTC Ali was coming off a long lay off and not as fast as usual

 

Emphasis mine...

I have to go with Marciano under those circumstances.