What makes Marciano so special against sub 190lbers throughout history?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by SuzieQ49, Jun 2, 2012.


  1. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    What makes him so effective fighting against men his own weight/smaller?
     
  2. Manassa

    Manassa - banned

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    Because he was massively strong and powerful for his weight, owing to what I think was a naturally brilliant physical structure. Though short of height and reach, Marciano was a human tank with thick, short bones that lent themselves well to absorbing and supporting big forces. As evidenced by his post-career weight gain, Marciano was naturally more than just a bit portly - and his fighting body was trimmed of nearly all fat - but he still looked stocky. Also characteristic of this robust build are mechanically advantaged tendon insertion points and long, thick, if not very defined, muscles. Rocky could have been a power lifter.

    When you add huge amounts of stamina you end up with a physical monster. If that physical monster will not back down for ****, then it doesn't need skill to be good. As it turns out, once honed, Marciano was cagey enough to maintain a good hit ratio with anyone, and he, if nobody else, fought fighters who were easily capable of re-teaching him some old textbook stuff - Moore, Charles and Walcott.
     
  3. LittleRed

    LittleRed Boxing Junkie Full Member

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  4. john garfield

    john garfield Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Is the thread subject a question or a statement, SQ?
     
  5. Nightcrawler

    Nightcrawler Boxing Addict Full Member

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    well ****...ain't gonna bother trying to follow this
     
  6. Caelum

    Caelum Boxing Addict Full Member

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    What Manassa said
     
  7. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    Statement, however I would love to hear your opinion on the matter.
     
  8. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    :good:good:good
     
  9. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Suzie, I have stated here before that I take Marciano to beat all sub 195 pounders in history with Holyfield being his sternest challenge.

    However, the physiogamy lesson that Manassa gives is such utter tripe it makes me want to change my stance entirely.
     
  10. PetethePrince

    PetethePrince Slick & Redheaded Full Member

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    We're used to that from you here. Thanks for teaching me a new word at least.
     
  11. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Who is the "we" you speak for?
     
  12. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    I would pay big money to listen to Seamus on a talk show. The guy is a riot and I agree with most of his opinions. His descriptions on pre 1920s fighters had me laughing for days
     
  13. Manassa

    Manassa - banned

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    There was no lesson, just some observations. Everything I wrote rang true with Marciano; he had a combination of attributes that made him a real physical force for his weight. Not everyone built a certain way will display the expected characteristics, otherwise Carlos Monzon would have been stopped a few times, but if you somehow had a natural, neural ability to soak up punishment more than the average man and on top of that you were blessed with a thick skull and neck, you will probably possess some kind of durability. Musclularly, Marciano might have been strong anyway, but with short, thick bones and full muscles this would only have been enhanced (thinner, longer bones with shorter muscles and smaller joints generally do not lift as much). There is no way to prove this now, but from witness and fighter accounts we can gather he was high on the scale for strength, stamina and durability and conversion to punching power. I say it owes a lot to his physique and mentality. Marciano was a natural athlete.

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  14. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    :lol: Perfect ... This guy does not have objective debates , ever ... he states his own positions and attacks anyone who offers a difference of opinion ... be it on Marciano, Vitali or any of his pets ...
     
  15. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    To give Marciano a nod offer any 190 pounder that ever fought based on his record and level of opposition is a huge leap of faith ... I feel Sam Langford would have iced him and there are at least a few others that would have had terrific shots at beating him as well ...