Why would you think that being bigger was an advantage on the inside? Why have so few fighters throughout history, tried to fight smaller guys on the inside?
Tyson never weighed as low as 210 Ilbs in his entire pro career. He was 221 lbs when he won the title against Berbick and just over 218 when he flattened Spinks.
Maybe its just me, but having had a few fights with guys considerably bigger than myself I can only speak from personal experience. If you are inside with a guy 55lbs heavier you ain't dominating the action in close. eg. Johnson v Burns. In the words of Stevie Van Zandt . FORGETADBOUT IT!
Especially if the guy who’s 55Ib heavier and over half a foot taller is just as adept and comfortable at infighting as you are!
Then how exactly have smaller fighters overcome the weight disparity over the years? A big fighter, who fights a smaller fighter on the inside, is generally a fool!
The other difference is that Holyfield was bigger (and stronger, fwiw), had much longer arms, was far more nimble on his feet, and threw straighter punches and faster combinations. Rocky would get crucified trying to walk and crouch his way inside on Bowe like he did to ancient Louis and Walcott, and tiny Charles and Moore.
In situations like this, where the bigger man isn't slower, less coordinated, or less skilled than the smaller fighter?
No fighter in history could deal with the tiny Marciano. It’s not even debatable on this site anymore. Even though Rocky only beat five heavyweights in title fights and never defeated a good let alone great big man we have to suspend all disbelief and run with the premise that Rocky was unbeatable and would have rampaged his way through all the larger, more proven heavyweights who came after him. Any chance to type misleading posts regarding Marciano’s size and those of his prospective dream fight opponents are seized with alacrity by Rocky’s zealous fans here. The Classic section needs to be renamed as the “Church of Rocky Marciano “ . Cheers All.