What if '71 Frazier fought '52 Marciano in a 15 rounder?

Both these guys are in my favourite half a dozen fighters ever, love them both to bits.

A good case can be made for Smoke but I've gotta go with Marciano here; yes he's smaller, but a better 2 handed puncher, imo, fought less to a rhythm so wasn't so easy to time; I believe he was cannier, and more durable too. Some pople use the KDs he suffered against Moore & Walcott as evidence that Smoke could get Rock out of there, but it works 2 wasy - Smoke was dropped by Bonavena & Mike Evan - not just Foreman.

If anyone was to fall foul of the 3 KD rule in this fight I would suggest it would likely be Smoke.

They both marked up, cuts with Marciano; swellings with Frazier.

I am sure I read Frazier say somewhere that the 2 HWs in history he couldn't beat were Louis and The Rock? That may be hearsay though.



Overall, in a 15 rounder, I would take The Rock on a late stoppage or corner retirement - with Smoke protesting, as you would expect from a man of such astonishing bravery.

I know one thing...I would pay good money to see this one...

 

One-punch KO with a left hook over Matthews.

Marciano's left hook wasn't to be overlooked.

 

The real winner would be the fans

WTF is wrong with you?

 

Mattews, Moore, decked Louis with one, set up Walcott the second time with one by KOing him etc.

 

I wouldn't call it a stretch to say either hit harder with the left. Frazier IMO, had a sharper, quicker and more accurate left while Marciano's was a harder, more thudding shot. I think Marciano would take this, was a better 2 hand puncher, greater variety of punches, higher workrate, better stamina and I think would get the better of Frazier up close.

 

My initial thought, too. :yep

Joe had the superior left.

 

I can't imagine this being anything but an all out war. Both men had a ton of heart and toughness, and both threw high volumes of hard and well placed shots. A big shot from Marciano, like the one he KO'd Walcott with could end the fight at anytime. But I'm not sure it would play out that way. Frazier's upper body movement, workrate and fast hands, along with his little bit of extra size would give him some advantages. My inclination is to lean towards Joe, but I say that with no real conviction. This is anybody's fight.

 

This is a war, both men had heart and stamina,determination and heart. I think the difference would be Marciano's 2 fisted power and that BIG right hand. I like Marciano by a KO but this is an action war for how long it last and a fight I would not miss.

Joe Frazier said the only 2 men he could admit that he would lose to at his best were Joe Louis and Marciano but felt he could beat anyone else, Joe also felt strongly that Marciano had the style to beat Ali

 

Frazier was being nice.

 

frazier his KO ratio on opponents under 190 lbs would remain the same.

 

Toe to toe war. I think Rocky throws the better range of shots, and more shots too. This is what wins the fight. Rocky was as heavy handed, as fit, as busy, but threw from more angles and more positions and with more force. Rocky wins this war.

 

Im pretty sure the Universe would have exploded and life as we know it would be lost....This is the ultimate fantasy fight if you ask me...Im gonna have to chew on this one...What a great thread MR BILL!!!!

 

I like Frazier.

This is one of the few times in his career he showed up Marciano conditioned and Marciano hungry. Joe usually always showed up in shape, but Marciano is on his own level in this category, most days.

Take those advantages from Rocky, and your left with his right handed power and his physical strength; Joe was faster, the better athlete, and the better boxer.

I like Joe, and I'd bet on him with confidence. I think it'd be a decisive and conclusive win.

 

This Frazier was perhaps the most determined HW in hsitory. I'm not talking about mental fortitude because The Rock has that nailed, I'm talking about a burning desire to be the best HW in the world.

I think for hunger, will power, stamina and conditioning the two men are equal here.

skill wise there isn't much between them, both heavy hitters, both defensively adept (Frazier a bit more so), but the main difference here is size. Frazier has a 20 pound advantage. nearly two stone of weight advantage against a man who isn't overly superior even from a p4p point of view (if at all).

I take Frazier on points.

 

Also good reasoning. Fraziers size and pounds would mitigate Rock's tank like tendencies.