Rocky Marciano

[absofsteel1977]

This is a nice clip that people here should watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b0yHvw-vW0

nice.. rocky is certainly the most underated hard to hit hw.. his physical disposition certainly aided him with that awkward hard to hit style

 

[shane30]

I agree mostly.
At least, he

 

[Kid McCoy]

I have been a boxing fan for a long time. I have been a member of many boxing boards for years. I have been arguing this topic just as long. Your post is far and away the best I have ever read regarding Marciano. thank you, great post.

Thank you, I appreciate that.

I have always found that making arguments always goes better when you

 

[shane30]

Thank you, I appreciate that.

I have always found that making arguments always goes better when you

 

[Cracky]

Good story.....but Kid forgot to tell you that Pretzie was 9-14 throughout his career.....winning only 6 of his last 20 fights.......

The story hilighted what boxing is supposed to be all about imo. I'd rather hear a story about a rough and tough ol basterd with a 9-14 record that tested the limits of his abilities than 100 stories about fellas with inflated records that never even came close to knowing their true limits.

 

[bradlee180]

The story hilighted what boxing is supposed to be all about imo. I'd rather hear a story about a rough and tough ol basterd with a 9-14 record that tested the limits of his abilities than 100 stories about fellas with inflated records that never even came close to knowing their true limits.

...like floyd mayweather and Roy Jones...

Man, it would've been great to see them in there with the toughest competition.
Hell, mayweather and Jones probably would've both beaten most of the top guys anyway, but the point is they didn't fight half of the best available competition.

The best competition brings out the best in a man.

Marciano fought the best competition available to him.

 

[bradlee180]

The one I've often thought about was Marciano vs Liston.

32 year old champ Marciano announced retirement in 1956.

Sonny Liston turned pro in '53,
was 14 wins and 1 loss(avenged) by '56,
jail and boxing ban mid-'56 to '57,
back to boxing in 1958.

What could have been? A prime Liston would have been the Rock's toughest opponent ever.

However, I don't think the Rock would have been prime anymore in 1958 at 34 years old.
The Rock had substantial lower back pain in 1956 which was a major cause for his retirement (in addition to not having any real challengers anymore therefore no big money fights on the horizon.)

Some points to consider:
The Rock absolutely had the power in his right hand to put out even Sonny Liston if he hit him right on the chin. The Rock could take a helluva shot. The Rock did not get frustrated and kept working at cutting down his slicker opponents late in the fight. Competitive heart and mentally TOUGH!
Marciano would NOT have been scared of Liston, and intimidation/fear were a big part of Liston's arsenal. There is the Rock's bad back by 1956 though, this for a crouching fighter.

It would've been a great fight.

 

[Unknown Pleasures]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgrwGNLTUH4

One rather forgotten kayo.

 

[sushijin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgrwGNLTUH4

One rather forgotten kayo.

This was in 1969, a full 10 years past his prime.. In fact, he retired after his very next fight. Nobody should forget this KO. It was absolutely brutal. By the same token, though, that wasn't the real Sonny Liston. It was a watered down version who was just holding on for a paycheck, with only a semblance of the skills intact that made him a champion. Take him 10 years prior to this and put Leotis Martin in the ring with him, and I'd bet my life that Martin doesn't see round 4.

 

[Kid McCoy]

This was in 1969, a full 10 years past his prime.. In fact, he retired after his very next fight. Nobody should forget this KO. It was absolutely brutal. By the same token, though, that wasn't the real Sonny Liston. It was a watered down version who was just holding on for a paycheck, with only a semblance of the skills intact that made him a champion. Take him 10 years prior to this and put Leotis Martin in the ring with him, and I'd bet my life that Martin doesn't see round 4.

That is true.