I started a thread similar to this on Ali a while back. So which styles frustrate him most? Which did he handle best, in your view? Feel free to match him up against who you feel is best at a particular style... I think this may generate some pretty interesting commentary. I noticed a couple of comments I would have never of expectd from some posters in the jockstrap thread.! Thanks!
I love Rocky Marciano;I also believe there are limitations-I don't wanna see him get killed at heavyweight.As a cruiserweight,he's competitive with anybody.
Marciano was a swarmer, and the traditional model is that swarmers do well against boxers, but because swarmers always come forward, they are vulnerable to big punchers. So Foreman is theoretically the bogeyman for Marciano. Many also think that Liston would be very bad news for Rocky. I think Marciano would have a better chance of beating Ali and Holmes (in very tough fights!) than he would against Foreman and Liston. I think Rocky is pretty much even money against the other great swarmers: Dempsey, Frazier and Tyson. I also think Rocky had the style to give Joe Louis a lot of trouble. That would be a great fight, prime for prime.
Esentialy he matches up well against anybody he can hit harder than. To find the bad style match ups you have to find people he would be ill advised to go toe to toe with. The styles that frustrate him the most might ironicaly be those that he is best adapted to dealing with.
As far as ATG fighters go this is about right. I say that because I beleive a bomber like Shavers could still be beaten by Rocky on account of other factors like heart, chin, stamina, work rate, composite punching etc etc.
Marciano has a chance with anyone, strategy is important because you can not fight all fighters the same way but I would not sell him short vs any ATG, forget weight because Heavyweights trained for 15 hard rounds then and most trainers kept there Heavyweights extra fit but with weight training Marciano could bulk up 30-40lbs of muscle and still be fierce for 12 rounds
This is very close to the way I break things down.. although I still try and find ways for Rocky to beat Liston and Foreman. Good post :good
But don't you think he hit just as hard or harder than most "true" HWs? I'd be willing to say that he likely had more physical power than most "true" HWs as well. This businesss of thinking a guy automatically loses at HW because he is 185 lbs or so is nonsense!
