Why Is Marciano Only, Credited With Cliched Assets?

Having come up playing U.S. football myself, it was insane how common that BS was. Still is- the sport isn't exactly a magnet for progressive thinking (putting it mildly).

It's played out- the whole trope of the lazy, unintelligent, yet extremely athletic black player vs the hard working white kid born with no speed (or the fabled "deceptive speed", which translates to "fast without pigment"), and a negative vertical jump that survives off grit, pluck, and moxy.

Then of course, there's the player comparisons that only match up to dudes with the same color, coaches funneling athletes out of certain positions early on because they're predisposed to thinking the players aren't smart or athletic enough, which creates self-fulfilling prophecies that reinforce professional stereotypes...I better cut this off and veer it at least somewhat back to topic by saying that, as bad as boxing is about subtle (and not so subtle) racist overtones, it's still not as bad with how it's ingrained these days as it is with football.

 

Great points. And yes, boxing is far better than football.

 

That's like asking why did Marciano win every fight he had. Because he did.

 

Marciano did have great Heart, & when he wanted to, great work rate.
Many other fighters like Frazier also are credited as such.

Science should not be put aside. There is OVERWHELMING evidence that race effects judgement in all kinds of ways. Professional, personal, & the judgements are often automatic & subconscious.
From resumes being accepted or rejected because of the NAMES, to fear-based reactions to some especially blacks, to sports cliches where it is easily documented that whites are credited with more intelligence, hard work & sometimes toughness.
And minorities, mainly blacks, are considered more for their athletic gifts.

If people behave badly in discussing ideas they should be dealt with.
But what is considered BS or stressful may be based on not wanting to hear certain opinions.
Even if some are difficult, that should in no way excuse censoring basic view points. Especially when the discussion is naturally central to why some give stereotypical answers.
Though many COINCIDENTALLY have qualities automactially attributed to those of their race.

McGrain, I agree that you should not limit polite Free Speech.

A question like this clearly will have many thinking race playes a part: & you should not FORBID folks from expressing their opinions.

Reactionaries may cynically assume that Marciano only gets credit due to race.
They are absolutely mistaken, but all should be free to express their opinions.

People also miss some of his more subtle skills, largely fully developed from the time he became champion.

This is funny, but while labeled "closet" racism, the truth is that folks are often deluded about thier bias-effectively in the closet to THEMSELVES.
[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1jGBll-Yog[/url]

 

Because Marciano Myth Makers can't say he had great, skills, defence ,a great jab,foot work, hand speed,balance,blazing combinations ,excellent head movement,reflexes and expect the rest of us to believe them they focus on,his determination, will to win, courage,work rate.No other fighter has ever had these attributes .:-(

 

While the attribute heart, courage,guts whatever you call it is in itself colour blind I do think Marciano's legendary status may have some sublimal roots in him being white.I'm not implying fans of him are racist because I don't believe they are, but that it is perhaps naturally easier to identify with one of your own colour?

 

So the natural question becomes, how did Marciano win anything?

 

It's the way Marciano fought that captures people's imagination.

 

Are you white ?
If so, is that why you like Dempsey ?
If not, why then do you like Dempsey ?

 

Actually Marciano shows a lot more great qualities on film than you realize. You grossesly underrate his defense, ability to slip jabs, feinting ability, durability, recuperative ability, finishing ability, and one punch power

You say Louis couldn't miss him with a jab. Did you watch the fight? It's on film ya know. Marciano slips his jab often. Marciano showed good bobbing and weaving skills. Louis does connect at times, but he had a fantastic jab even at 37. Every other fight he had in his comeback, he couldn't miss with his jab. A prime ezzard Charles couldn't get away from his jab, his face looked like a mess after going 15 with Louis. Brion Bivins savold agramonte beshore got jabbed to death.

I think Marciano is a clear cut top 3 fighter head to head below 200lb in history

 

He had fine power and was always in absolute top shape,a good chin, and he was prepared to take punishment.His condition meant he could still be hitting as hard in the late rounds as he had in the early ones , that as a fight went on he would still be strong when many of his opponents were tiring and weakening This plus the fact that his three best opponents were showing some mileage on their clocks and were not really in their primes . That's my interpretation of his success others will differ.

 

Yes I watched it in the 1960's when I first bought it,I would have lent it to you but you weren't around.
Top 3 under 200lbs? If we say Johnson and Louis were often over that, I'd go
Dempsey

Marciano
Langford

 

Yes I'm white, I like Dempsey because he excites me when I watch him fight

.If you disagree that some white fans identify with Marciano partly because he is white that's your opinion.
In my opinion some white US boxing fans do identify with Rocky and they haven't had a whole lot to cheer about in the heavyweight division since Rocky retired.

If you don't think it commonplace for fans to root for their own I would suggest you don't go to many sporting events.

 

Of course, but none of that is "subliminal" (or "sublimal"). Most of those types are consciously rooting for the man with same colour skin as them, even if they don't all admit it.
I'm sure some white people root against white fighters too, because they feel they can more easily 'judge harshly' white people.

But, in my opinion, neither Marciano nor Dempsey have a legendary status that cannot be explained for the exact reason you give for liking Dempsey.
Both were exciting, knock out punchers.
Mike Tyson was always going to capture the imagination more than Larry Holmes. It's the way the fight. (plus accomplishments).
No further explanation needed.

 

Sorry I spelled sublimal wrong, thanks for the correction. If no further explanation is needed your question to me was redundant before you asked it.