I mean, is it a given? It seems to be the prevailing opinion that Marciano was just an all round better fighter, but do you agree? If so, why? If not, why do you favour Joe?
Hard to compare the greatness of the two, but I would side with Rocky. Better power in both hands, and a more savage brawler on the inside. Ali, who lightly sparred with a retired Marciano in the ring said that Rocky was better than Frazier.
I think Frazer was better: faster, harder to hit, just as powerful, taller, heavier, fought bigger, greater guys.
In many areas, yes. Marciano hit harder, had a better punch variety and looked to be more durable, which is very important for a shorter fighter with his style. Frazier, of course, had better hand speed and more dynamic feet to cut off the ring. Joe had no issues with cuts, but he'd swell badly at times, which can be worse than a cut.
I would argue that Frazier beat better opponents. Ali Jerry Quarry x2 Jimmy Ellis Buster Mathis Bonavena Chuvalo Bugner Foster
Technically Marciano was the superior fighter overall. Rocky had full coordination and ko power in both fists. Not so Frazier. In his prime He only had that hook as a major weapon. Rocky was hard to "time". Always fighting very low he nicely blocked, parried, slipped and weaved to avoid punches then stepped in to counter with either fist or a two fisted attack. Frazier relied too much on head and upper body movement and followed similar defensive patterns. The one area Frazier exceeded Marciano and certainly this is a subjective observation.....left hook speed.
I would say Marciano, but I don’t think that it would be unreasonable to argue the contrary. The fact that they had significantly different strengths, makes it possible to argue it either way.
To me it's pretty close. Marciano had the better career, Frazier the better once-off win. Frazier arguably fought better competition but only fairly briefly was he the best fighter in the division. Marciano was more consistent. I don't count H2H, but that too is close. Overall, I favour Rocky slightly because he never lost and that counts for a lot to me. But their skill levels are pretty close for me.
It's tough you know. Rocky beat Moore, Frazier beat Foster Rocky beat Charles, Frazier beat Ali Rocky beat Walcott, Frazier beat Quarry. Very comparable wins for the two. Not a lot in it for me. The only questions are, would Rocky beat Ali and would Foreman destroy Rocky.
Ok I get that most people rank Charles as greater than Ali, I understand that, but imo Ali is easily a top 15 ATG and and beating him, albeit an inactive version is just as good, if not better than beating Charles.
