This content is protected 1. No surprised from Rocky, that's for sure. Moving in just the way he always does, bent over, aiming at the body, and never backing off. To Matthews' credit he landed a few good right hands, choosing rather to focus on the head of Marciano. A pretty competitive first round and also the first time I've ever seen a boxer start heading back to his opponent's corner when he was clearly not hurt (Matthews). Matthews. 2. Two left hooks dropped Matthews on the seat of his pants in one of the corners. He attempted to beat the count, but wound up sagging over the bottom rope, obviously in no condition to continue. Verdict: A highly destructive KO, but it's hard to feel the full impact of the blow since we only get to see it from the back. I'm afraid that might unjustly skew my judgment on it by saying that it is probably one of the most insignificant of the Marciano films. Still not bad though.
Really like Matthews as a fighter. More I see of him more I like him. They were both on nice runs but l think Matthews was beat before stepping in the ring with him. Marciano had a fierce rep at the time.
Mathews manager was a character was given too much credit and the press loved him enough to believe “if Mathews only listened”. But I tell you what, Mathews really kicked Rockys ass in the first round. He had some lovely moves. His right hand was straight and true. it’s easy to say “it was only a matter of time” but if you just watch the first round and pretend you never saw the rest of the fight, didn’t know the result, without knowing anything about either guy, there’s no warning what it is going to happen in round two.
I remember Jerry Quarry doing that to Joe Frazier in round one. After that it was mostly all Frazier. If I remember correctly (and anything's possible at my age, so that's a big IF), George Foreman's first professional fight was a preliminary bout on that card.
That's correct. Both Frazier and Foreman fought that same night. That would be the case for the next three years.
A very impressive KO by Marciano. I think it was the only time Matthew took the count in a 20 year career. Thanks for posting.
I knew a couple people who were almost certain that Matthews would beat Marciano. Rocky was underrated by many during his career and afterwards. Thanks for the link to the fight!
I do not think Matthews kick Marciano's ass in the first round. Did Matthews win the round? yes, To me it was a close round with the edge going to Matthews. But he did not drop the Rock, mark or cut him up, or beat him to pillar to post like Dempsey did Willard.
Technically, For one round mathews was as in control of Marciano as I think anyone we have on film. The impression coming back to the corner is he can set a template for the fight. sure marciano was decked against Walcott and Moore but Rocky was still getting off in those rounds. Here he’s against a guy with plenty of answers for each move. Mathews is Setting the pace, picking him off inside as well as outside. It is a very advanced study in boxing when you look at it.
Never seen much of Mathews but like the look of him there he looked clever and slick. Not very clever of him getting tagged though by the left hooks because Rocky had been telegraphing them all fight. To be fair though Rocky caught him with the first one off the jab then followed up with a devastating finisher. For someone plenty write off as unskilled The Rock does surprise you with some of his attributes.
He may of control the flow and pace of the round, but at the same time he really was not getting any work done damage wise. I think after this feeling out of round 1, I was pretty sure Marciano was thinking "you know, if I put even more pressure on this guy, I can bang him out in the next round or 2." I really think by round 2, Marciano realize there was little to fear of Matthews in regards to his punching power.
Matthews had decent power. But otherwise I agree. I think Marciano knew he could get Matthews out. At this point in his career he was confident he’d beat anyone.
