Sam Langford vs Rocky Marciano

Langford lost or drew about 33% of his fights.

However, Langford KO1 Marciano

 

In Skehan's biography of Marciano we get a possible explanation for this performance. The chapter on the Cockell fight was titled "Something Missing". In it, the Marciano camp was concerned because Marciano seemed indifferent in his training. They knew that "...without his intense burning dedication and focus he would be vulnerable to even a mediocre heavyweight like Cockell". He was losing that spark (as did Joe Frazier after FOTC) but did regain it sufficiently for his Moore defense.

 

So, Langford wins because he has a better cheerleader?

Yes, I pick him over all three at the same time.

 

Where would you rank Langford as a puncher? The Ring has been known to put out some rather unexceptional lists but even they rated him #2 some time back. Taking power from lightweight all the way to the top heavyweights is, for lack of a more educated term: ****ing UNREAL.

 

It is difficult to predict that a man who was never hurt let alone stopped in 49 fights would get KOed early or at all in a 15 round fight. I consider Langfordnas Marcianos tOughest test and he could lose a decision unless the fight was over an unlimited number of rounds.

I'd like to think it would be one of the great fights between two of the biggest punching granite chinned fighters in history. In these types of fights it usually goes to the man with the best beard.

Was Langford ever stopped?

 

Yes,he was stopped 9 times in his overextended career...No shame...

 

Yes, especially not until his 54th bout. Against Joe Jeanette.

 

good luck to any 5'6 180lber trying to slug with Marciano

 

Langford is unlike any 5'6 180lber there's ever been. :smoke

 

Langford was stopped in his 52nd fight, by Young Peter Jackson.

 

Which footage have you seen? I think Langford looks smashing vs. Lang or Jeanette. Langford in his prime at 170-185 hit harder than Charles for sure, and likely Moore. Unlike Charles or Moore, Langford had an excellent chin at heavyweight, and stamina to fight 20 rounds.


This is going to be one heck of a fight that could go either way. I would go with Langford to win because I think he was more accurate with his power punches.

 

You do realize Rocky himself was 180 for a fight. If you want to compare the tale of the tape between the two with Sam being 180, he's got the edge over Marciano in just about every measurement except height.


Now if understand the styles here, Marciano did not fight tall, nor was he. He was often bent at the knees, and sometimes in a crouch. So the 4 or 4.5" height differential is not quite as big as a factor as it might appear on paper.

 

Good point. The height would not be a factor.

 

Considering you routinely select the 5'10" , 185 pound Marciano over much taller and heavier men your comment reeks of Marciano bias and ignorance on Langford. Maybe wr should ask Liston's jab what he thinks ...