Rocky Marciano vs. Sonny Liston

Willie Pastrano.

 

I think maybe,,,,,,

Bob Baker, the 'Pittsburg Banging Heavyweight'

A 6' 2" 212 lb. - 29 year-old, with a record of 44-5-1 (19 KO's).

Bob had won '13-straight', including a Decision over Nino Valdes in December 1955.
Bob's last loss, a (L TKO 9) to 'Ole Man River' Archie Moore in March 1954.

Bob Baker had all the 'attributes',,,,,,, big, strong and so sloooooooow, and with only
'mediocre' punching power.


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:nono

Nino Valdes, Floyd Patterson, or bob baker in 1956. Most likely Patterson.


Al Weill only fought top rated heavyweight contenders, Pastrano was not even Ring Magazine top 5 at the time

 

Baker did not have slow hands

 

I know, I know.....

Just felt in a random mood.

 

I wouldn't have minded a fight with Pastrano. Very skilled fighter. He just had nothing to keep Rocky off of him.

 

Go check out what I just posted in the thread entitled " you have to have this book in your life. "

 

Baker would have been interesting and so would Valdes but Baker was KO'd by Archie in 8 and Satterfield in 1 round and Valdes blew the chance losing to Satterfeild in 1955, he got dropped bad for a 9 count and lost decisively and that was about a month before Marciano's last fight with Moore making Valdes much less marketable.....Floyd was still fighting at 166lb in the beginning of 1955, In fact his highest weight was 175 in 1955 until the end of the year December where Floyd weighed 178lbs vs Jimmy Slade, Marciano was already retired 4 months...Pastrano fought Archie at 185lbs and may have been a decent payday but like Suzie said he had no power....I think the division was pretty dry for money fights for Rocky

 

In Late-1955 and 1956,,,,

Bob Baker was far from a 'Speed Demon',,,,

He looked 'slow', or at least 'very tentative' several bouts

 

If he hadn't retired he would have fought a rematch with Moore.

 

In the 1956 ring magazines (I have the whole 12 issues) It is already known early on that Marciano is to only have one fight that year - in September. All top 4 contenders already having faced each other producing nothing but confusion as to who was most worthy of a crack at the champ.

Moore was still #1 because he had already beat #1 and #2 Baker and Valdes. Baker and Valdes faced each other in late 55'' but it was such a lousy fight neither looked worthy of a Marciano shot since both winner and loser were no better than Moore who already beat both. A KO win for either would have eclipsed Moore and got fans talking …but that did not happen.

In Feb 56' (before Marciano announces his retirement) Hurricane Jackson beats Baker on a split decision, again it is not considered conclusive enough of a win to produce the kind of clammour for a title chance. A knock out win by either would have made the difference.

The only other interesting contender is considered to be young Willie pastrano who unfortunately disappoints against chuck speiser which scuppers his stock as a new face. Young Jack Johnson and Johnny summerlin look impressive but nobody yet knows how good zora folley is who both beat only for johnny to lose to bob Satterfield anyway. Young jack Johnson also hit’s a losing streak.

Rockys last foe, Moore is treading water defending his Light heavyweight belt whilst keeping trim on a kind of “bum of the month tour” as a travelling #1 heavyweight contender “at an arena near you” sort of affair. Nobody thinks he could bother Rocky second time around...so another dead end.

World #1 light heavyweight contender is considered a new talent but this youngster (Foyd Patterson) is listed as needing to be “nursed along for a while longer yet”.

If Rocky did fight in september 56' it would have been Moore or Jackson.

 

Rocky wanted a big payday before retiring but there just weren't any in sight.
None of the possible opponents had the interest of the fans.

 

In 1951, Baker had very fast hands

 

That's actually bull****. Have you watched the fight on film? I have. It was a much more exciting, action packed bout when you watch it with your own two eyes