Moreso handspeed, those T-rex arms conveyed alot more power in close quarters. Having a great reach like Langford is ideal at range, but would prove a hinderance if the Rock could close the distance and stay in Langford's grill consistently. To me, it all boils down to whether Marciano can keep it close-range or whether Langford could pick his spots at range and make himself difficult to hit while punishing Marciano when the Rock tries to close the gap. Tough, tough fight to call for me.
I'll have to look at some tape for this one...One thing that strikes you about Langford is how fast is footwork is on the attack, throwing punching and changing angles similtaneously (Lang footage) although he is short, he stands erect and the punches are wide. How would Sam react to someone getting underneath him? Marciano is also a very active power puncher...Just a couple of things to consider(?)
Langford made a career of fighting bigger men in the last 15 years of his ring life he was adept at infighting as well as distance work.
It's not that Sam couldn't infight; it's that I don't believe he's better at that aspect than Marciano and if the fight were an inside one, I'd favor Marciano. Fighters with long arms, even if they're skilled at it, will never be as good in close as an equally skilled infighter with shorter arms; it's harder for them to get shots off with proper extension and power because of it.
In theory this works ,but like all generalizations, it has its flaws, one of the very best heavyweight inside fighters of modern times was Riddick Bowe, reach 81in.
This makes no sense at all. The shorter the distance, the faster it should reach its destination, ergo the quicker it looks.
Dont know MrO, Rocky never underestimated an opponent, and hit the canvas twice against past prime versions of Walcott and Moore. To his credit, he also got up and KOed them both. I dont see any reason Sam cant floor him multiple times and win on points (Walcott wouldve if his chin held) if Rocky's will proves too great to break. Extremely intriguing match-up which is why I searched, found and bumped it. Excellent point by mcvey on infighting/reach with the Bowe example.
Langford is all mystique, if we had more film of him he would be less regarded. I have seen his fight with Flynn, a jab and hold festival. Marciano was almost always outweighed and shorter, he'd kill Langford.
The usual with Marciano. Langford would score well early, cut Rocky, possibly score a kd. But Marciano would find his rhythm in the middle rounds and batter Langford ala Ezzard Charles. Marciano by either points or a late stoppage win.
This is incorrect,in his 5 defences ,Marciano was only outweighed in 3 of them also,in his 2 fights previous to challenging Walcott, he was the heavier man. Plus three of his title challengers were ex lightheavyweights.One had packed the weight on after a bout of glandular fever ,the other two had increased in size with age.
Some time ago there was video footage of Langford-Jeanette that a few frequent, respected posters got to view and their conclusions were about as far from this assessment as one can get. I honestly think footage of Langford dropping Wills cold would be something of a marvel.
Guys, if we're talking an in shape, highly trained and motivated Langford it's lights out for Marciano. I'm talking KO. Terrible march up for Rocky. Langford was one of the very few men under 200 that could do this but Rocky was made for him ... Sam was much faster, had the longer reach, just as strong, just as tough, just as well conditioned, took as good or better a shot, was better defensively and was the better puncher with either hand. A war that turns into a route.