Someone who knows what happened. Kudos. Punches don't do what happened to Rock's nose. Definitely an elbow. My take. Rock lands to the body and slows Ali down over the course of the fight, but loses a decision. He would have a hard time landing punches upstairs. I think the body work would win Rock a few rounds and wear Ali down. That's it. Anyone thinking Ali wins 15-0 and is perfectly intact with no marks, bruises, pain, etc is just naive. Rock would do damage.
Agreed. It's interesting how perceptions change as time goes on. If the internet existed in the 80s and this question was raised, there would be a lot more support for Marciano. It's almost like in the era of the super-heavyweight it's been decided that fighters under 200lbs can't compete with those over 200. Marciano wasn't that much smaller than Frazier, who obviously gave Ali plenty to think about in their trilogy. I remember one writer (forget who) saying that Marciano wouldn't beat Ali, but he would give him hell. That pretty much sums up my thoughts on the fight.
Size reach and athletacism points to Ali. That said Marciano was amazing and could wear you down. Frazier wasn't much bigger than Marciano. I really couldn't say I mean **** Frazier put Ali down and Cooper really beat him too. Foreman would have won if he paced himself also. Neither beats neither easily but maybe based on size Ali would UD him. Maybe. I still maintain Wlad would beat Ali however - likewise the size gap is too big not that ESB's romantics would admit that.
Ali, too fast, too beautiful, moves too good. He could never tire Marciano out to the point that he could knock him out by making him tired, marciano is simply too well conditioned to be beat that way. It'd likely be some kind of head shot, which wouldn't be too hard given the way he throws wild, or in the alternative a good ripping body shot. If walcott could frustrate him so easily then ali, the greatest move with an amazing chin, would likely win on points.
If Joe Frazier could almost beat the life out of Ali, then Marciano can too. That's the EASIEST way to look at it. Frazier even said he felt Marciano was better than he was in most aspects. Ali by UD...in a long night which tests his will.
Walcott is a mover and beat marciano for 13 rounds, marciano got a good punch on him and he didn't get up because he was too slow and old. i think ali can last for 2 more rounds than walcott.
Yep. Like Ali beating up on a cruiserweight would be anything special. GTFO. Ali picking on a 187 lb man. Rock KTFO Ali tho for the record, making the heavyweight getting smashed by a CW even more embarrasing
Ali himself said that Marciano would have been a very tough matchup for him stylistically. He said Marciano was better than Frazier, and "You saw what Frazier did to me." Which makes sense, since Marciano hit very hard, and was tough as nails and relentless. And much of the fight would have been on the inside, where Marciano was best, and not at the end of Ali's jab. ***********.youtube.com/watch?v=GDaw2QFC1Qg