Who were the best punchers during Marciano's era?

Not in order:

Marciano
Walcott
Satterfield
Henry
Moore
Valdes
Holman
Walls

 

charles was very explosive in his most recent fights before facing marciano against wallace and satterfeild who were rated. whilst all contenders can look great knocking over no name types its worth considering how well the KO punches work on other rated fighters...

ezzards 1951-54 win ratio is almost negligible against his 1946-51 record and his KO percentage was actually higher in the 36 months since losing the title against at that time rated contenders.

From 1946-51 charles went 12(6)-2 against rated HWs. In 36 months after losing the title he went 7(4)-4 against rated HW's.

in 18 fights over those 36 months charles had 11 fights involving at that time rated contenders -a far higher ratio than any other contender.

Charles knocked out 4 of the 7 rated contenders he beat over that short time.

 

Big Cat Williams
Turkey Thompson was prob just prior to '50
Earl Walls

 

Big cat was active for just two and a bit years of this time period and was still in the 6-8rounders for most of it. the cat turned pro in 51' but retired in 1954 for two years after the pounding he got from satterfeild -the only rated fighter he met until 1957 who also stopped him.

williams just was not the force at world level people think he was. very impresive winning missmatches though and always a brave loser at world class.

IN 1953 williams got a spot on the marciano v lastarza card against another novice and was given a severe beating by 8-3 sylvester jones who wiped the floor with him. he was knocked down twice and lost the 4 rounder.

 

Outside of Marciano, the list is lacking a bit. Satterfield might be #2.

 

Wasn't the question punchers during Rocky's era ? You really cannot be serious about the post 1950 Louis being a great puncher. While I'm sure he could smack a heavy bad (Lee Savold) a moving target was another matter as his post Charles record proves. You really have to give that one up ... BTW, where'sl Rex Layne ? Was he known for his polished boxing skills ?

 

Louis's only KO of note after 1950 was over Lee Savold. I'd say the rest including Walls had better knockouts.

 

He was known for having a strong workrate more so than a heavy punch. KO'ing Satterfield isn't enough to put him on the list in my opinion. I'll review his KO of Young Harry Wills in a moment.

Watched it, Layne again seemed to overwhelm his opponent more so than stun him with power.

 

I rewatched the rounds that I could last night of Charles - Marciano 1 and have some thoughts ...

I was surprised at how big Ezard looked next to Rocky ... Rocky really had thick legs but Charles looked like a physical Adonis next to a cave man.

Like Moore, Charles was a beautiful fighter to watch. So skilled, so experienced. However, even from the opening benn when he was fresh I was surprised he did not just his jab netter or more effective or his legs ... he really liked to stay in mid-ring and fight ... was this always his style or did he make better use of speed and footwork earlier in his career as a light heavyweight ... I am also going to rewatch his bout w Louis ...

How good was his right hand ? He seemed a bit slow with it and slapped it rather than throwing it straight ... his hooks and uppercuts seemed to me to be better and more effective.

Marciano was a tank. He took whatever Charles threw and really did not blink. I know Charles was not Liston but in the early rounds he was flat on his feet throwing with all he could and really did not seem to bother Rocky at all ...

Just some thoughts ...

 

Charles used to have better, more mobile footwork. I'd say his nickname was the result of his style, which utilized footwork until lashing out with combinations that took his opponents by surprise. By the mid 50's he was fighting mostly flat-footed, although he would still pull off some subtle maneuvers to befuddle his foes.

I have never been too impressed by Charles's right hand, he seemed to loop it around somewhat (as Bowe did) although it was a powerful punch.

 

Many are unimpressed by Bivins's film footage from the 1950's but you have to take into account that Charles looks even worse after the Marciano fights. When the legs and reflexes go, it's difficult to look good even with top level skills.