Roland LaStarza - Could he have mixed it in any other era?

It is often speculated that the Marciano loss ruined him.

He was a decent contender and would likley have fought for the title in most eras.

 

Maybe Rocky ruined him or maybe he was not that good to begin with ... the beating Frazier gave Ali in Superfight 1 was far worse and the beating Schmeling gave Louis in their first fight was much , much more severe as was the beating Floyd took from Ingo ...... these are just a few examples....somehow these guys managed to regroup but Rocky's opponents were ruined ... go figure ..

 

Well, those fighters were greats, LaStarza wasn´t. Probably a contender in every era like Quarry or Young.

 

Likely a step lower but my point exactly ...

 

I think durability might consist of being able to not just take a beating but do without being completely damaged. Ali seemed to be superhuman, although even he paid the price for it. But how many times did he **** blood after fights or pay the press for the punishment he took to the body.

Floyd was pretty much out senseless. While that sort of event could chip away at your chin resistance it doesn't ruin you like a sustained amount of punishment does like Chavez against Taylor. Marciano broke blood-vessels in LaStarza's arms. It has been reported that LaStarza may've came in with a sore or injured arm. Regardless, even Roland LaStarza says that fight took a lot out of him. Cockell attests to the same thing... Marciano ruined him.

Most fighters did appear to falter after facing Marciano. If it weren't physical, it may have been partly mental. But they were well touted before the fights began.

LaStarza was a good contender. Fairly good defensive counter-puncher. Not great or sensational, but far better than Matthews or Cockell. A respectable name on any record.

 

As far as I know, Ali did not need surgery on his arms after the first Frazier fight. Marciano really wrecked LaStarza in their rematch.

I believe Don Cockell himself said that Marciano ruined him as a fighter.

Another thing that I think you're overlooking is that Schmeling-Louis and Patterson-Ingo were fights where the punishment was not really prolonged to the body/arms, and they did not really take prolonged punishment to the arms/body.

 

You have watch for that punishment to the arms. I heard that's where the organs are.

 

LaStarza's blood vessels were damaged and needed surgery, that is why Marciano's punishment to the arms is mentioned.

 

I dont think Patterson took that bad of a beating vs Ingo the first time.

Sure he was knock down a lot, daze, and got up. But it was no were compare to the LaStarza smach down that Marciano lay down.

 

The overlap comments on the fight mention that LaStarza later claim a blow he took in round 2 was when his arm went numb.

 

Roland had about 7 or 8 tough fights in a row, before tangling with Rocky Marciano again.
He was worn down.
Hung in there for a few good rounds, but ,,,,,,,,,

 

He didn't do a lot in his own era. Perhaps he could replicate that in other eras.
You could probably find at least a couple of contenders for him to beat in any era.