Would the rock be undefeated

I agree and Cus was in NO rush to bring Floyd to Heavyweight while Rocky ruled the roost

 

People aren't looking at the entire equation, here. It is true that Marciano was starting down the slope at that stage, but equally true is the fact that Patterson was still on his way up. Marciano retired in April of 1956, at which time the 21-year-old Patterson's biggest win to date was a TKO 7 over Jimmy Slade- hardly sound preparation for a title fight with a veteran undefeated champion like Marciano! We're presumably talking about a mid-'56 match-up, here, since otherwise Marciano would be looking at a year-or-more layoff going into the match, hence Patteron's first real "major" win, against Jackson, never happens. And it is definitely worth noting, here, that Patterson only managed a split decision over Hurricane Jackson at presumably about the same time this hypothetical fight would be taking place- again, not a good sign for someone with ambitions of upsetting the likes of Marciano.
In short, I think Patterson's chances would be fairly slim.

In reality, though, I doubt a Patterson match would have been on the table for Marciano's 50th fight anyway- Patterson didn't make a serious move at heavyweight until after Marciano had retired and the title was vacated, and I don't believe this is a coincidence; D'Amato was probably not interested in matching his man against Rocky. And even if he was, Marciano would presumably have scheduled his next fight before Patterson's win over Jackson in June, which probably would not have come together without a vacant title anyway.

 

The fight was not even in the talks until after Patterson won the title though. Marciano decided he was happy with retirement, and only had the thoughts of comeing back in 59 or so.


Of couse during his comeback, he found out he had taking too much time off, when he train, and wisely decided to stay in retirement.

 

I think the Rock would catch Patterson.

Not to detract from Patterson, however, as I feel he is grossly underrated.

 

Marciano KO's Patterson before 5. Too much power vs. mediocre chin. Marciano never had a problem hitting a guy and Floyd would walk into one and that would be that.

 

Reading over these comments made me think of the commentary on a Patterson fight by Marciano that Bummy Davis recently posted here. And thanks for that Bummy Davis.

Anyway, I was trying to read into Marciano's remarks a way of interpreting how Marciano might have thought he would have handled Patterson had he had a chance to fight him.

Mariciano praised Patterson, especially his hand speed and Moore's difficulty with it. One point he made struck me. He talked of Moore attempting to back up in order to find an opening for a punch. And how Patterson wouldn't allow that.

Voila! Perhaps Marciano said something about himself at that point. He would not back up if facing Patterson. Did he ever? No need for that to find an opening. He would make an opening by advancing.

The fight would be changed (and over) in the blink of an eye.

As some have already observed, by that point, Marciano would probably be 52 and 0.

 

I second this opinion. Prime for prime I think Patterson wins a very close decision. Floyd however, was too inexperienced at that time but probably gives Marciano more than a few tough rounds, only to be stopped later.

 

Marciano only seriously tried to get in shape once ,just after Ingo kod Floyd,he trained like a dog for a month and found it was a no go.Rocky was around Ingo for a week observing and evaluating him,"He's awkward,he's clumsy ,he looks like an amateur".Ironic really as those words had been said about himself. Marciano ran every day,punched the bag etc and finally said,"It's too tough.The hell with it.I could never get in shape.Not the kind of shape I would want to be in.And I'd never fight under any other conditions.Not for any amount of dough".From time to time Rocky would tease sports writers with hints of a come back ,he got a free dinner out of it ,but he was only ever seriously contemplating it when Johannson was champ.

 

I dunno about this one. By the time Rocky retired he was more of a grinder than a pure KO puncher. He would be facing the fastest man he ever met in Patterson. Floyds hands were among the fastest of any HW champ and his feet were quicker than Rocky's too. Rocky had a very tough time with Moore who wasn't nearly as quick and Patterson dismantled him and KOed him with one hook. I still lean toward Marciano but it would'nt be a given that he wins. Rocky of Walcott I and Rex Layne demolishes Floyd. Rocky of 1956-57 could have some serious problems.

 

Didn't Marciano spar with some medicore fighter behind locked doors to test the waters, looking absolutely terrible in the process?

 

Excellent punctuation mcvey.

 

Agreed. McVey 's post was solid. The only thing to add was Rocky had some minor injury issues with his back.

 

i heard marciano retired as he hated his promoter and wanted to get out of the contract and his plan was to come back later and fight Johannsson but thought against it at the time.