Tyson vs Marciano in their respective primes

Yeah, I know. The haters and fanboys don't get it.

 

I don't believe either, personally. You're never going to see me argue that Tyson's on some pedestal.

 

Tyson is bigger faster and stronger than anyone Marciano ever faced. Sure Marciano was tough and duribble and underated as a boxer but Tyson would stop him within five rounds.

 

Speed kills. We all know it. Tyson was just too fast and powerful period. Tyson in his prime threw very fast powerful combinations, 3 and 4 at a time, not the one -and -a -two combos that fighters in Rocky's time threw. Rocky would be facing a completely different animal in Mike. Nothing like the fighters he was accustomed to fighting who were much slower and less powerful. And let's face it, Rocky never faced an opponent with Tysons power, ever. Walcott was a good puncher, so was Moore, but they could'nt match Tyson in the power or speed department. And if those two could deck Rocky and hurt him then Mike could also, and probably finish him as well.

 

If speed kills, It sure didnt help Charles, Walcott, and Archie Moore avoid the beatings that were waiting for them.

 

Tough fight, but late KO for Tyson.

 

Good post.

I know size isn't everything but Mike was roughly Rocky's height, with 30 additional pounds and much quicker hands.
Rocky's innate toughness and ruggedness coupled with his awkwardness and lack of height would keep him in the fight for a few rounds, but I can't see him dealing with Tyson's extraordinary blend of speed and power.
Tyson stops him in the early to middle (2-6)rounds.

Sorry Rock. :verysad

 

You picked tyson in 4??? Fanboy!!! Tyson couldn't drop mJourneyman Tillis...couldn't stop the great talent in Mitch Green....Tyson got dropped and demolished by medocrity in Douglas...wait untill he meets a real fighter!!! What are you in high school and never seen any of these people. Tyson gets destroyed by just about every top 10 ATG (I can't find him a win there to be honest!)

 

I'm surprised so many have picked Tyson by early KO.

No, actually I'm not surprised. Tyson's always been a big favourite round here.

When two short-armed punchers collide head on, I would always pick the guy with more toughness and proven ability to win tough fights and get off the deck to win, and that's Rocky.

If Tyson knocks Rocky down 3 or 4 times Rocky's still gonna be in the fight, and he's gonna be hitting and hurting Tyson.
This isn't rose-tinted fantasy, it's the reality of the situation. These guys would be on top of each other, head-on, BOTH would get hit, and hit HARD.
I noticed that Tyson became a lesser fighter when guys would hit him back and hurt him. But when Rocky's hurt he ups his game.

 

Vs slightly past their prime, sub 200 pound heavies who hit on Walcott' Charles' or Moore's level, I agree with you. Rocky is not going out early, though he was in some trouble vs Walcott in round one. However, Tyson hits much harder than these three and each of the three men really tested Rocky's reserves.

Rocky was not a fast starter in his title fights. He took on average a shade over nine rounds to win. Could Rocky survive Tyson’s early onslaught? There is no doubt Tyson speed would beat Marciano to the punch, and in his prime Tyson could deliver powerful combinations and had a pretty good defense too. The uppercut and hooks to the body is the best weapon vs a crouching type of stance, and Tyson was simply great with body shots and uppercuts. Marciano swong and missed often, and Tyson could coutner him.


If they meet in their primes ( Which for Tyson was 1986-1988 ) I think Tyson win’s. Maybe not in round 1 or 2 two, but perhaps rounds 3-6.

 

Tyson TKO5. Too much power, size and speed for Dempsey to overcome.

 

Does your Mommy know that you are skipping school???

 

I think Marciano's power gets him out of trouble. It's as simple as that. He's going to hit Tyson, and not just once. And after a few rounds Tyson's going to be very uncomfortable. Tyson cant hook Marciano's body without being in range for one of Rocky's shots. And Rocky had the awkward lean-back-duck-low-lurch-forward stuff, (some of his unorthodox defensive moves are actually impossible to describe in words), and he's not open for many uppercuts. And Rocky threw punches that Tyson's lateral slipping bob-and-weave defense was not designed to avoid.

I dont think Tyson's style was suited as well for shorter, lower, crowding fighters, I think Tyson might get pushed on to the backfoot often, butted, ruffled.
Marciano had "no style" so he'd just do what comes natural.

Tyson was a bit of a front-runner, and often looking to the referee (even in his prime), he fought rough but didn't like it thrown back at him. He had mental weaknesses.
I dont see him beating Marciano in a million years.

But, hey, I'm in the minority here.

 

I can see the logic behind your post SJ, but I don't think it would get to that stage. Tyson would land early and most likely hurt Marciano, badly too- I just can't see Rocky weathering the storm.

He had tremendous fighting heart, but would be overwhelmed by the power and volume of Tyson's assults. He's likely be stopped on cuts approaching the mid-rounds.

 

Lesser fighters than Marciano weathered Tyson's early onslaught.
Thomas went 6, Ruddock 12, Bruno 5, Ribalta 10, Biggs 7, even guys like Mike Jameson and Green soaked up a lot of Tyson's best shots. And some of these guy didn't even believe they could win !!
They didn't all "just clinch" either.

I just dont see a guy like Marciano, with his legendary conditioning, self-belief and recuperative powers and toughness, not to mention his awkwardness and crowding style (that would break Tyson's rhythm), being blasted out early.

Lots of you guys are saying it, but I just dont see it.

Tyson slowed down after 2 or 3 rounds, and Marciano would be strong enough to cope and up the pace after that.