In your opinion do you feel rocky is overated or underated as a fighter?

In your opinion do you feel rocky is overated or underated as a fighter?

He is overrated by the general sports fan, especially Italian- Americans.

He is underrated by hardcore fight fans.

He was a great fighter, but the age of his best opposition does raise questions.

good post!

i would give you rep points but i dont like you.

Underated, if people rate Ali higher then he's definitly underated!!

Marciano Ko's Ali

Underated, if people rate Ali higher then he's definitly underated!!

Marciano Ko's Ali


you are certain to cause an arguement for this one........ :)

Marciano is generally overrated in my neighboorhood(its mostly italian) but I see many people really underrate him. I think that he was one of the greatest punchers to ever walk the earth. But I doubt that he could beat Ali.

Underated, if people rate Ali higher then he's definitly underated!!

Marciano Ko's Ali

are you kidding me ? marciano would stand a chance against ali but u know that he would lose! Ali as overrated as he is, was still a good fighter! hes jus gettin rated higher than his skill, doesnt mean he isnt any good...look at the size difference

over rated because people always claim him as one of the best simply because of his record. a record helps but it doesnt make a fighter. marciano fought some good comp but a lot were old and past thier prime. plus he actually did lose after his pro career started when he went back to the ams for a short while

are you kidding me ? marciano would stand a chance against ali but u know that he would lose! Ali as overrated as he is, was still a good fighter! hes jus gettin rated higher than his skill, doesnt mean he isnt any good...look at the size difference

I cant believe you start a post "Are you kidding me?" about Rocky Marciano!!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/sport/boxing/images/boxing_alicooper.jpg

won 49(43 KO's) 0 losses. enough said :D

If Jersey Joe Walcott could outbox Marciano for 12 rounds, i see Ali doing it the whole way. He simply wouldn't get caught very often, and when he would, he would be able to take the punches.

As for Marciano's status, i think he's underrated by some (those who simply think he's an unskilled slugger) and overrated by others (those who have him in the top 3 all-time at heavy).

Rocky was a great fighter, i think this is a really good question because in some ways you could say he was. I don't think he was overated for his time because he was the toughest out there but i do think he's overated on the toughest Heavyweights of all time rankings. He showed great courage and heart in alot of his fights, especially against Jersey Joe Walcot for the championship. I never judge Rocky on his fight against Joe Louis because we all are aware that Joe Louis was way past his best. A prime Joe would have beaten up Rocky Marciano just like a prime Ali would have. Rocky was a good brawler but when a good brawler comes into the ring against a boxing genius i honestly cannot even imagine Rocky ever ladning a lucky punch on either of these guys.

Rocky marciano is the greatest fighter of all time. Most people do not realize this, so he is very underrrated. For those of you who don't know, the Rock did fight Ali in 1969 for a computer simulation in order to predict who would win in their primes. Go to this website, it's right here: http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Arena/1047//alirock.html
i'll tell you the results, but please go read this for yourselves at the above link, the Rock knocked Ali down with a right hook to the body and Ali refused to continue. Ali was 27, Marciano was 46. Ali was great, but Marciano would have KTFO'd him exactly like he did Walcott, and Joe Louis, and a younger joe Louis would have got KO'd faster because a young Louis would have come at Marciano faster, and thus, got KO'd faster

Rocky marciano is the greatest fighter of all time. Most people do not realize this, so he is very underrrated. For those of you who don't know, the Rock did fight Ali in 1969 for a computer simulation in order to predict who would win in their primes. Go to this website, it's right here: http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Arena/1047//alirock.html
i'll tell you the results, but please go read this for yourselves at the above link, the Rock knocked Ali down with a right hook to the body and Ali refused to continue. Ali was 27, Marciano was 46. Ali was great, but Marciano would have KTFO'd him exactly like he did Walcott, and Joe Louis, and a younger joe Louis would have got KO'd faster because a young Louis would have come at Marciano faster, and thus, got KO'd faster

I'm not sure about that but if it says Marciano KO'd Ali then i'll have to agree.

That site has factual errors and is grossly biased. Marciano is a top ten HW of all time but not the very best or even top 5. Prime for prime Ali would beat him by decision but it would be close. He was a great fighter and one of the best conditioned athletes who ever lived, but one has to take into the account his quality of opposition, and when you take away old past their primes Charles and Walcott (not to mention a completly shot Joe Louis) you don't have much else, and both of them gave Marciano hell in their fights.

Rocky Marciano has been underrated way before he started boxing and when he turned Pro.

When Rocky Marciano (1923-1969) started boxing at 25, he
was told he'd never make it as a professional. Trainers pointed
out that he had no balance and no left hook, and he was too old,
too small and too clumsy. He proved his critics wrong time and
again. Rocky Marciano became the undefeated World Heavyweight
Champion from 1952-1956, and 43 of his 49 of his fights were won
by knockout.

Rocky marciano is the greatest fighter of all time. Most people do not realize this, so he is very underrrated. For those of you who don't know, the Rock did fight Ali in 1969 for a computer simulation in order to predict who would win in their primes. Go to this website, it's right here: http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Arena/1047//alirock.html
i'll tell you the results, but please go read this for yourselves at the above link, the Rock knocked Ali down with a right hook to the body and Ali refused to continue. Ali was 27, Marciano was 46. Ali was great, but Marciano would have KTFO'd him exactly like he did Walcott, and Joe Louis, and a younger joe Louis would have got KO'd faster because a young Louis would have come at Marciano faster, and thus, got KO'd faster

That simulation should have no bearing on Marciano's all-time status at all. It was simply a simulation. In fact, they actually recorded senarios where Ali won. The makers simply decided to release the one where Marciano knocks Ali out.

Marciano's heart, desire to win, and punching power are given their just due. I don't think he was the best Heavy ever, though. His 49-0 record is what gives him his mythical status. If he'd lost that decision against LaStarza, it would have made all the difference in the history books and top-ten ratings. Marciano deserves his kudos for being able to gut out victories over Charles (1st fight) and Walcott (1st fight) and then killing them in the rematches. A prime Louis probably would have shredded him, however, and Larry Holmes or Ali would have had their way with him for 15 rounds. IMHO.

Rocky was a great fighter, i think this is a really good question because in some ways you could say he was. I don't think he was overated for his time because he was the toughest out there but i do think he's overated on the toughest Heavyweights of all time rankings. He showed great courage and heart in alot of his fights, especially against Jersey Joe Walcot for the championship. I never judge Rocky on his fight against Joe Louis because we all are aware that Joe Louis was way past his best. A prime Joe would have beaten up Rocky Marciano just like a prime Ali would have. Rocky was a good brawler but when a good brawler comes into the ring against a boxing genius i honestly cannot even imagine Rocky ever ladning a lucky punch on either of these guys.

Joe Louis admitted that Rocky would have beat him even in his prime. Also at 38 yrs old he was 68-2 and was still better than 95% of fighters in history.

Jack Dempsey said Marciano was the hardest puncher in history.

That's pretty good backup from the most reliable sources around.

He also broke a GOOD pro boxer's arms with gloved fists, Roland LaStarza.

He also has the highest KO rate of any heavyweight champion in history with 89%.

While filming the fantasy fight, Rocky actually floored Ali with a body shot and Ali refused to continue until he was offered a bigger cut... he also refused an actual match that Rocky challenged him to. Rocky was in his mid-40's at the time.

When the going got tough he rose to the occasion, EVERY SINGLE TIME. If that isn't heart then I don't know what is. He's been cut, outboxed and floored... always came back with the KO when he needed it. 100% is a flawless record, that means NO ONE found out how to beat him.

He beat a man that was around 250 lbs, undefeated (something like 2-0 or 4-0 I forget) and the man retired after the Rocky fight.

Beat a title contender who was something like 26-0 in just his 4th career fight... he was essentially fed to the lions so his manager could get paid.

He did all of this with the shortest reach of any heavyweight in history.




How is it possible to "overrate" this man? To do so would be on opinion alone when all facts and stats point towards greatness... and if we're talking opinion, I'll take Jack Dempsey's and Joe Louis' over some boxing fans 75 years later.

The best heavyweight fighter of all time.

I think Joe Louis underestimated himself. Louis had the skill, speed of hand, and power in his prime to mess Marciano up badly. Joe murdered guys who came towards him. He devastated them. If Jersey Joe's left hook could floor Marciano and cut him up, and if Archie Moore's right hand could drop him and give him some trouble, and if Roland LaStarza could give him issues, imagine what the prime fists of combination-punching Louis could do. The fight would be stopped around four or five with Martciano's face a gory mess. Marciano could throw a one-punch kayo, but against top guys he had to grind them down a bit first. I see Louis doing most of the early rounds grinding as he chops Rocky's face to shreds with his combos and jab.

Over rated, He had an iron chin and had damn good power in his shots, but he wasn't a great boxer. The likes of Ali, Frazier, Holmes would completly take him apart.

Joe Louis admitted that Rocky would have beat him even in his prime. Also at 38 yrs old he was 68-2 and was still better than 95% of fighters in history.

Jack Dempsey said Marciano was the hardest puncher in history.

That's pretty good backup from the most reliable sources around.

He also broke a GOOD pro boxer's arms with gloved fists, Roland LaStarza.

He also has the highest KO rate of any heavyweight champion in history with 89%.

While filming the fantasy fight, Rocky actually floored Ali with a body shot and Ali refused to continue until he was offered a bigger cut... he also refused an actual match that Rocky challenged him to. Rocky was in his mid-40's at the time.

When the going got tough he rose to the occasion, EVERY SINGLE TIME. If that isn't heart then I don't know what is. He's been cut, outboxed and floored... always came back with the KO when he needed it. 100% is a flawless record, that means NO ONE found out how to beat him.

He beat a man that was around 250 lbs, undefeated (something like 2-0 or 4-0 I forget) and the man retired after the Rocky fight.

Beat a title contender who was something like 26-0 in just his 4th career fight... he was essentially fed to the lions so his manager could get paid.

He did all of this with the shortest reach of any heavyweight in history.




How is it possible to "overrate" this man? To do so would be on opinion alone when all facts and stats point towards greatness... and if we're talking opinion, I'll take Jack Dempsey's and Joe Louis' over some boxing fans 75 years later.

The best heavyweight fighter of all time.

I respect your take on all of this but i don't agree that he would have beaten Muhammed Ali or Joe Louis dispite what Joe supposedly said. As for Rocky hurting Muhammed Ali in the making of the fight they had i haven't heard that before. Apparently Rocky was that out of shape and unconditioned that he had to lose an adnormal amount of weight. Him and Ali didn't get along to my knowledge and the fight got heated but i have NEVER heard he hurt Ali like that. I have never heard the two facts you stated but the rest i agree with. We all have our own personal judgements on things. I think Rocky was a great fighter but not as great as you make out. As for taking the opinions of fighters it certainly doesn't mean they are right with what they are saying. They can only speculate like we can as we all have opinions on things.

I think most people rate Louis and Ali above him. Probably underrated, people think hes slow and easy to hit, yet no one could keep him off.

The whole thing about the Ali simulation is fukin bull****. It wasnt real at all, i dont believe for a second that Ali took it seriously, because he APPARENTLY got knockd down with a body shot! Ali took every one of Foremans body shots! A computer simulation in 1969!! WOW, HOW ACCURATE!

The computer predicted that Ali would get caught on the ropes and knocked out somewhere around the 12th round

Ali would have beaten Rocky quite easy if they fought in their primes. If Rocky had caught Ali, he would have taken it, AS USUAL!
There is no way the Rock out speeds, out boxes, out footworks Ali, I think Ali might have forced a late cuts stoppage or on points but no way on hell, not in the wildest dream does the italian beat Ali, NO WAY!

Depends how he's rated in an individual ranking.

I rate him as the 6th greatest heavyweight of all-time, but I'm of the opinion that he'd lose to most guys I rank in the top 10 or top 15, in prime vs. prime matchups involving the greatest heavyweights in history.

He gets that fairly high ranking from me, primarily (but not entirely) because of the historical significance of him being the only undefeated heavyweight champion in history.

I think Joe Louis underestimated himself. Louis had the skill, speed of hand, and power in his prime to mess Marciano up badly. Joe murdered guys who came towards him. He devastated them. If Jersey Joe's left hook could floor Marciano and cut him up, and if Archie Moore's right hand could drop him and give him some trouble, and if Roland LaStarza could give him issues, imagine what the prime fists of combination-punching Louis could do. The fight would be stopped around four or five with Martciano's face a gory mess. Marciano could throw a one-punch kayo, but against top guys he had to grind them down a bit first. I see Louis doing most of the early rounds grinding as he chops Rocky's face to shreds with his combos and jab.

True, this is likely... but when a fighter says he would have been beaten... that means a lot. I also recall a quote from Joe Louis saying that his weakness was always swarmers, he hated fighting them. I'll try to find the quote... can't remember where I saw it.

Watch the first Walcot fight closely. After he was knocked down at the start of the fight, he was punching back, not just following Walcot like alot of people think, and landing to the body, almost punch for punch, as Walcot started to retreat, and continued to do so while Walcot tried to back up and box him. After being nearly blind through the middle rounds, close to the end of the fight, he's still forcing Walcot back, not just chasing him, but still staying close enough to land, almost punch for punchwith Walcot retreating, trying to box him. It's not as most people think, that Walcot battered him for 12 rounds and then he lands a lucky punch, watch the fight again, he was by no means being outclassed or outboxed, he was still in the fight big time, and wouldn't have been beaten up like he was if he had been able to see clearly through the middle of the fight. I can't see Ali easily outboxing him, he might win, but not easily. Walcot moved pretty well, and couldn't move quickly enough to stay out of the rock's punching range, I just don't see it being that easy, and Louis wouldn't run to save his ass against Schmeling, so to me it's a toss up, whoever gets caught with the big one first. The man wasn't that slow, he fought considerably smaller and faster fighters than we have now, no one takes that into account.

Overrated..no doubt

49-0, underrated.

Watch the first Walcot fight closely. After he was knocked down at the start of the fight, he was punching back, not just following Walcot like alot of people think, and landing to the body, almost punch for punch, as Walcot started to retreat, and continued to do so while Walcot tried to back up and box him. After being nearly blind through the middle rounds, close to the end of the fight, he's still forcing Walcot back, not just chasing him, but still staying close enough to land, almost punch for punchwith Walcot retreating, trying to box him. It's not as most people think, that Walcot battered him for 12 rounds and then he lands a lucky punch, watch the fight again, he was by no means being outclassed or outboxed, he was still in the fight big time, and wouldn't have been beaten up like he was if he had been able to see clearly through the middle of the fight. I can't see Ali easily outboxing him, he might win, but not easily. Walcot moved pretty well, and couldn't move quickly enough to stay out of the rock's punching range, I just don't see it being that easy, and Louis wouldn't run to save his ass against Schmeling, so to me it's a toss up, whoever gets caught with the big one first. The man wasn't that slow, he fought considerably smaller and faster fighters than we have now, no one takes that into account.



i think ali would have beaten him in the same way that he beat joe frazier. ali wouldnt have beaten rocky easily, he would have beaten him by decision or by tko on cuts. ali vs. rocky would be alomost an exact carbon copy of his fights with frazier. think about it, frazier and rocky's styles were almost identical with both being able to withstand lots of punishment. so yeah ali could have beaten him but it wouldnt have been easy. i think rocky is niether over rated or under rated. his place in history is just right. most of the top 10 ratings i've seen have him right in the middle of the top 10, which is where I have him at #4.

Rock was the most underrated boxer in history. If he would have lost the title twice and won it back like Ali would that make him better? I think its better to keep the title the whole way. Ali liked to run his mouth, but in the end Marciano would show him what pain is. If Weptner could knock Ali off his feet with a body shot, what do you think guys like Marciano and Tyson would do to him? I mean Larry Holmes beat Ali for crying out loud. Ali's a top 10 boxer no doubt, but overrated is an understatment.

From the footage i've seen of marciano, there is no doubt that he had a tremendous talent. For the type of fighter he was, a slugger, he was....in his time, the best in the business. I still think he would have been hard up against it to beat a true boxer like ali or frazier.

Ali said that when he sparred marciano that marcianos body punches just pure hurt

I think Ali can outbox him

Marciano was good but he was just a slugger Ali can beat him

if he fights tha way he did against liston n tha punches he took from foreman

i'd have to give it to Ali by decision or late stoppage


What would u guys think if a prime Joe Louis fought a prime Marciano, i'd have to give it to Joe Louis

Rock was the most underrated boxer in history. If he would have lost the title twice and won it back like Ali would that make him better? I think its better to keep the title the whole way. Ali liked to run his mouth, but in the end Marciano would show him what pain is. If Weptner could knock Ali off his feet with a body shot, what do you think guys like Marciano and Tyson would do to him? I mean Larry Holmes beat Ali for crying out loud. Ali's a top 10 boxer no doubt, but overrated is an understatment.

Larry Holmes a young fighter beat a OLD Ali who was not even close to what he was when he was younger

Well he was the best fighter of his era, he fought the best that was put in front of him and beat them all, he didn't duck anybody. What more can you ask for? He would have kept fighting if a real challenger had emerged, but the only other guy out there was Floyd Patterson, and Cus D'Amato wouldn't let that fight happen because he knew Floyd would get handled. So Rocky just retired and decided to live in peace.

I ranked Rocky very high.

I think Ali already had Parkinson's symptoms when he fought Holmes, that was sad, he didn't even fight back. They should have stopped that fight a long time before they did, instead of letting him get beat up like that.

i think ali would have beaten him in the same way that he beat joe frazier. ali wouldnt have beaten rocky easily, he would have beaten him by decision or by tko on cuts. ali vs. rocky would be alomost an exact carbon copy of his fights with frazier. think about it, frazier and rocky's styles were almost identical with both being able to withstand lots of punishment. so yeah ali could have beaten him but it wouldnt have been easy. i think rocky is niether over rated or under rated. his place in history is just right. most of the top 10 ratings i've seen have him right in the middle of the top 10, which is where I have him at #4.


Yeah, they are pretty close, the only real difference is that Frazier would come into any fight at least 15 lbs. heavier, and Marciano actually ran in, or kind of scampered, where Frazier kind of bobbed and weaved as he was shuffling, other than that, I guess they do have almost the same style.

Alot of people underrate rockys defense. He actually did bob and weave often just at a slower pace. He had a shot of taking ali out late based on the fact that rocky NEVER ran out of gas in the later rounds.

Alot of people underrate rockys defense. He actually did bob and weave often just at a slower pace. He had a shot of taking ali out late based on the fact that rocky NEVER ran out of gas in the later rounds.


That's true, his conditioning was unbelievable, and the fact that he knocked Walcott out in the 13th, with both eyes damn near shut is a testament to his heart and will to win, giving up just wasn't an option for him.

Marciano was probably the third best Cruiserweight ever.

The Rock was a great no doubt - but i really think he would have lost to Ali - exspecially if they fought now because fights get stopped so much quicker and the Rock was a bleeder and Ali would throw cutting one two's. And Ali did go down 3 times - but he always got up. I really don't think one can question his chin.
The Rock was a great fighter though and nothing can be taken away - there are always what ifs - but his record does speak for itself.

If Jersey Joe Walcott could outbox Marciano for 12 rounds, i see Ali doing it the whole way. He simply wouldn't get caught very often, and when he would, he would be able to take the punches.
I dunno if I agree with you. Most people underrate Jersey Joe as a champion because of a record that looks very poor. Also, they use his age to write off the Marciano loss. But the truth is, Walcott was a fighter with tremendous experience, and talent as well, who was mishandled early in his career and later on suffered an extremely bad decision or two. Plus, he and Ali were not the same type of boxer. Walcott didn't dance or even jab a whole lot. At least, not in comparison to Ali. The reason he almost won against Marciano is that he fought back very well when they were on the inside, something Ali would never do.

Also, though Walcott was winning when he got knocked out, it was still close and Marciano was not completely, or even mostly, out of the a fight.

Furthermore, Ali once said that Marciano might have been able to beat him. It was after their mock fight, and Ali came out and said that Marciano hit so hard and so much that every inch of his body ached. I mean, this amounted to a sparring session between to out-of-shape men and in spite of his much greater age, Marciano still was successful. Of course, it can't be forgotten that it was fake. Still though, it's the closest approximation that we have of a fight between the two.

I guess my point is that if Joe Fazier could beat Ali, or even Ken Norton (though their styles are not very similar, Norton did take advantage of Ali's poor inside game) than Marciano would at least have a very good chance too.

Marciano was probably the third best Cruiserweight ever.
This comment is bull****. Does this mean that Jack Dempsey was a cruiserweight? What about Ezzard Charles or Jersey Joe Walcott? Does that mean that Henry Armstrong was a super lightweight, and so was Barney Ross or Jimmy McLarnin? Don't be absurd. If you honestly believe that Rocky Marciano would not have succeeded in this era of the "super heavyweight" (in spite of the success of a numbr of lighter heavyweight) then you're wrong.

Relax, it was meant as a joke "cruiserweight ?". It is doubtful that Rocky would have defeated some of today's best heavyweights. Can't see him defeating Lewis, Holmes, Ali, Foreman
(would destroy him), and would have a hard time against any 210 pound slugger of today.

Watch the first Walcot fight closely. After he was knocked down at the start of the fight, he was punching back, not just following Walcot like alot of people think, and landing to the body, almost punch for punch, as Walcot started to retreat, and continued to do so while Walcot tried to back up and box him. After being nearly blind through the middle rounds, close to the end of the fight, he's still forcing Walcot back, not just chasing him, but still staying close enough to land, almost punch for punchwith Walcot retreating, trying to box him. It's not as most people think, that Walcot battered him for 12 rounds and then he lands a lucky punch, watch the fight again, he was by no means being outclassed or outboxed, he was still in the fight big time, and wouldn't have been beaten up like he was if he had been able to see clearly through the middle of the fight. I can't see Ali easily outboxing him, he might win, but not easily. Walcot moved pretty well, and couldn't move quickly enough to stay out of the rock's punching range, I just don't see it being that easy, and Louis wouldn't run to save his ass against Schmeling, so to me it's a toss up, whoever gets caught with the big one first. The man wasn't that slow, he fought considerably smaller and faster fighters than we have now, no one takes that into account.
how can i get a copy of this Walcot Marciano fight? that must've been ages ago, i can't find any film except for that one picture of his right punch

Overall Rock is rated just about right. I think he would have trouble against the elite. (Ali,Holmes,Louis and Foreman) He wouldn't be outclassed in any, except maybe Foreman becuase that is a stlyes nightmare for Rock. I have him around #5 on my list.

I think Marciano is a little bit of both. He is overrated because of his record, 49-0, devoleped by fighting over the hill legends such as Charles, Walcott, Louis, and Moore. He is underrated because he was a tremendous puncher who would've obliterated alot of great champions, including Frazier and Holmes. I think his place as one of the 5 greatest heavyweight champs of all time is where he deserves to be, but Louis was definitely the greatest of the greats.

Marciano is under rated plain and simple he was probably one of the most devistating punchers of all time just look into Marciano alittle and you will see scientific findings on his strenghth as well as just reviewing his fights. He is Under rated my most. And he would KO Ali late!

Very overrated, Ali is better then walcott period so he would beat him prime for prime, dempsley say he was the hardest hitter ever? i dotn think he ever foguth foreman or shavers now did he.

he ebat a super old archie moore, an old charles, a completly done joe louis, but he did beat walcott,

also in the firsyt walcott fight after joe is down did anyone see where rocky smashed him with a good sized left hook as he was walkign away, a cheapshot and very dirty tactic

These arguments are really pointless. Rocky Marciano beat every person that was placed in front of him in his career.

He was not fun to watch. He had a strange, "crab" style of fighting. He was small yet a very powerful puncher. He was relentless in his attack and won many fights on attrition.

To speculate on the outcomes of Marciano vs. Ali, etc is really pointless.

The linear champions of the heavyweight division all deserve their props for their accomplishments.

I have to put Rock withing the top 5 all time, but that's just a guess, and just my opinion.

If we only had a time machine!

According to the site Ali was messing around. He obviously didnt take this fight seriously. When somebody gets hit with a body shot when they arent even protecting themselves, especially by a fighter like rocky marciano the other fighter will probably drop down 99% of the time. A prime Ali might have some trouble with Rocky, but he would still rack up rounds. You can compare Foremans power to Marciano and Ali fought Foreman beautifuly. I just cant see the bigger, quicker Ali losing.