Who could beat Rocky Marciano at 190 lbs or less?

I'm split between Charles and Marciano but yeah Dempsey's a massive favorite. I don't think Rocky has any clear advantage besides endurance.

 

Doubt whether Nigel Benn could have done to Marciano what he did to G-man.

 

It is according to the rules and leaves no legal target to punch at.

 

Yeah, overexaggerating things one can't understand... Marciano has a lower stance, but wasn't moving below the waist. Tell me how one can fight from that position or even evading that way is not practical, apart from being not that easy, time and energy consuming. One can say that Mike Tyson was doing the same, yet he didn't.

 

Rocky was significantly more disciplined fighter. I also think he was better at adjusting during fights.

It would be a great matchup either way.

 

I reckon a lot of 175ers could give Rocky some issues. I think LHW Hopkins can outbox him. I think a prime Ezzard Charles can win vs the Rock judging by their first encounter. Rock vs James Toney would be an awesome fight as well--and could go either way depending on which James showed up. I think Rock vs Bob Foster would be a hell of a fight.

I think Holyfield at cruiser, Usyk at cruiser, etc. are 210+lb ring weight and couldn't be considered fair fights. These men are enhanced and Rocky was assuredly natural. At this weigh class I think Dwight Qawi and Rock would make an absolute banger of a fight.

Re: Juicing and history
USSR weightlifting team used steroids in the 1950s and shortly after 1958 when the USSR team coach told the USA coach over drinks, the US started. I think thereafter the US commonly had it available to Olympic level athletes. Enhancements were available since the 1930s, I just think not many knew, and those who did assumed they wouldn't help boxers because the muscle/performance connection hadn't been made.

 

You are correct about the history, but how commonly available steroids were then is not precisely known.
It was seemingly not permeating through most sports on the US side until the mid 1960's, & even then exactly how much, is speculative.
Although common early for weightlifters, much more likely.

I do not think it is fair to assume Usyk ever cheated.
No evidence, nor any suspicious physical characteristics nor sudden growth nor suspicious overall size or in areas with more androgen receptors (disproportionate development) such as the traps, neck or outer deltoid.

 

I have no trouble with people favoring him over anyone sub 190 personally.

 

Dempsey is clearly a favorite here, and I agree. Rocky never fought such a puncher, and one with such speed and defensive movements at that.

 

All solid picks, I think all of them have the chins to stand up to Marciano, I can see both Patterson and Charles being floored at some point throughout the fight. But all of these guys have the stamina to go 15 rounds with Rocky, I think Qawi should also be factored into the equation he had the chin and the defense to stand up to guys like Evander I think he could hang with Marciano.

 

Dempsey himself said Rocky hit harder.

 

Evander Holyfield, Michael Spinks and Roy Jones Jr

I'm confident Holyfield would but not the other two as much

 

Muhammad Ali in his fifth professional fight (Muhammad Ali Vs Donnie Fleeman) weighed 190 lbs, and 188 lbs in a fight with Alex Miteff.
Rocky Marciano would fight with shadows, and illusions.
Muhammad Ali wins on points, by unanimous decision, and wins at least 10 rounds (or more).

 

The 190 lbs Cassius Clay, aged 19, does not beat Rocky Marciano. He does not, at that stage of his career, survive the rocky moments he endured against Doug Jones and Henry Cooper let alone 15 relentless rounds with Marciano who is a far better and tougher proposition. You honestly believe what you wrote?

 

Not gonna lie it gave me a chuckle as well.