Rocky Marciano's Last Interview "How I Would Beat Muhammad Ali"

I don't know who would've won in a fight between Marciano versus Ali. But I disagree with the notion that Marciano is the same as Frazier. They were similar in stature and were both pressure fighters, but they were different in many ways. Frazier would wear down his opponents with many punches (accumulation resulting in TKO), while Marciano was great at luring his opponents into traps and nailing them with well-timed shots (one punch KO power). Marciano appeared to have better stamina only because he was more patient and smart with his energy. Frazier applied pressure better than Marciano, but this came at a sacrifice of defense and drained his stamina in the later rounds (seen in Ali - Frazier II & III).

Here's an excerpt from a somewhat long article by Frank Lotierzo on East Side Boxing. If you'd like to read the full article, here's the link: http://www.********boxing.com/news.php?p=26&more=1 "Over the years when Ali spoke of Marciano, he always showered him with high praise. He said he developed one of the closest relationships with Marciano, more so than he had with any other fighter. Ali was often quoted as saying that he couldn't believe how strong, and how hard Rocky could hit. He said he could feel how great Marciano must have been just from being in the ring with him when he was 45 while filming the computer fight. Ali said that he couldn't even imagine what Rocky must have been like in his prime. Marciano also spoke highly of Ali as well. It's just a shame that Marciano didn't live to see some of Ali's greatest triumphs. No doubt had he lived a little longer he would've gained even more respect for Ali. "Yes, in my opinion the best Ali beats the best Marciano. However it's not the easy walk over that some try to push it off as being. Ali definitely would've had his hands more than full with Marciano, but in my opinion he would have most likely had his arms raised if they fought on their best night. Ali's size, speed, adaptability, and toughness, make him the favorite over any past or present heavyweight champ in my book. "Forget the computer fight. It was just a novelty. Marciano and Ali were both paid $10,000. Ali needed the money because he hadn't fought in two years and had no income along with piling legal debt. Marciano was in good shape financially, but he did have some investments that lost money. Marciano took it seriously and trained for it like it was a fight. He wanted to be ready in case Ali tried to make him look bad. Ali was in horrible shape and didn't take it seriously. "As far as Marciano dropping Ali with a body shot? Who knows for sure. There is a part of me that finds it hard to believe because Ali took it to the body better than any heavyweight ever. However, I don't believe that it's a total fabrication either. Lets just say that it's very likely that Marciano got Ali's attention somewhere during the filming with a body shot. Body shots were allowed during the 70 one minute rounds they were in the ring, so I could see Marciano sneaking in a big one to get Ali's respect. The bottom line is that it doesn't matter, it wasn't a fight. "Here's all you need to know about computer fights. In September of 1970, they used the same computer that produced the Marciano-Ali fight to pick the winner of the Joe Frazier vs. Bob Foster heavyweight title fight in November of 1970. The computer picked Foster to stop Frazier in the sixth round. Since Frazier knocked Foster out in the second round, the computer could not have been more wrong. In fact, Frazier hit Foster so hard that he injured his ankle while he was going down."

You heard that too? From the info I read, Ali kept knocking off Marciano's toupee and Marciano told him if he did it again he would hit him. Ali did it again and Marciano hit him in the ribs and cracked his ribs. Ali never did it again after that. As for the people saying Marciano would get crushed. I beg to differ. Specially with the Frazier comment, Street. Foreman said it himself that Frazier only relied on his left hook and Marciano threw everything, which made him better than Frazier in Foreman's eyes. So i don't see how anyone can say Marciano is a worse version of Frazier, it would be the other way around. Also, at the time. I think Ali would have lost. He was a rising star, you have to remember that. He wasn't the guy you guys are thinking about, the one who beat Foreman, Frazier 2x, blah blah blah. He would have stepped in there with a seasoned vet, even with his gifted ability, he would have more than likely been eaten up on the inside with body punches. Which would in turn slow Ali down and he would have most likely been finished by Marciano in the late rounds. Just like the computer simulations said. Marciano had a linear style but he wasn't stupid, he would have tore Ali's body apart and being green would have made Ali not able to get to that 6th gear. This would be before his loss to Frazier, so I believe my opinion holds alot of weight.QUOTE] Two things: Ali was not "green" when he went into boxing exile. He was an unbeaten champion and had beaten every contender they put in front of him. Second, Ali had only two fights after nearly 4 years out of the ring when he fought Frazier. His legs and reflexes were not the same. As for the Frazier- Marciano comparisons, Frazier was not only bigger than Marcaino, he was also faster and contrary to your belief, he had a higher work rate than Rocky. And the thing you said about Marciano cracking Ali's ribs is just not true. Keep in mind that this was a 46 year old, overweight, balding Marciano, that had not fought in 14 years.

You heard that too? From the info I read, Ali kept knocking off Marciano's toupee and Marciano told him if he did it again he would hit him. Ali did it again and Marciano hit him in the ribs and cracked his ribs. Ali never did it again after that. This article doesn't address any of the rumors, but it gives some interesting facts about the "fight" between Ali and Marciano. If you have two minutes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Super_Fight

Much respect to Rocky Marciano though, he was a great fighter.

If Rocky thought he had trouble with Jersey Joe and Ezzard's lateral movement, he wouldn't imagine Ali's.

I seem to recall that Marciano objected to the finish where Ali won, and it was redone so that Rocky won........ There also were reports that Rocky was expremely annoyed during the simulated sparring because Ali was continuously poking out his left hand and disturbing Rocky's "rug"- his toupee- his wig. which can be seen in all it's glory on the tape. He reputedly retaliated by belting Ali in the stomach a few times. He was very sensitive about his baldness ............ You heard that too? From the info I read, Ali kept knocking off Marciano's toupee and Marciano told him if he did it again he would hit him. Ali did it again and Marciano hit him in the ribs and cracked his ribs. Ali never did it again after that. As for the people saying Marciano would get crushed. I beg to differ. Specially with the Frazier comment, Street. Foreman said it himself that Frazier only relied on his left hook and Marciano threw everything, which made him better than Frazier in Foreman's eyes. So i don't see how anyone can say Marciano is a worse version of Frazier, it would be the other way around. Also, at the time. I think Ali would have lost. He was a rising star, you have to remember that. He wasn't the guy you guys are thinking about, the one who beat Foreman, Frazier 2x, blah blah blah. He would have stepped in there with a seasoned vet, even with his gifted ability, he would have more than likely been eaten up on the inside with body punches. Which would in turn slow Ali down and he would have most likely been finished by Marciano in the late rounds. Just like the computer simulations said. Marciano had a linear style but he wasn't stupid, he would have tore Ali's body apart and being green would have made Ali not able to get to that 6th gear. This would be before his loss to Frazier, so I believe my opinion holds alot of weight.

I seem to recall that Marciano objected to the finish where Ali won, and it was redone so that Rocky won........ There also were reports that Rocky was expremely annoyed during the simulated sparring because Ali was continuously poking out his left hand and disturbing Rocky's "rug"- his toupee- his wig. which can be seen in all it's glory on the tape. He reputedly retaliated by belting Ali in the stomach a few times. He was very sensitive about his baldness ............ I suppose it's no surprise that Marciano had an ego befitting the undefeated Heavyweight Champion of the World, although his class prevented him from boasting. Thanks for sharing the "reports;" I got a real laugh. I'm sure there's some truth to what you heard/read. I can just imagine the young Ali busting chops and knocking over Rocky's rug, much like he used to harass Howard Cosell.

Trust the Rooster to include the gay little rocky music in the background just for a short interview like that.I will laugh the day the Rooster logs into his youtube account to find out that he has been suspended. Is this the "Smokey" Joe frazier apologist thread? Seems like it to me. Stick to the hip hop forums with the other ignorant saps. Not true at all.Marciano had a far greater chin than frazier.frazier had a weak chin and ducked virtually every puncher of his generation. Marciano had perhaps the greatest stamina of any heavyweight in history. Rocky had stamina more than anything else, his training was rigorous, but........... The REAL stamina was possessed by the fighters of the early 20th century, who often would fight 20, 25, even 40 rounds, be knocked down perhaps a dozen times, andd still win etc. The Jack Johnson-Jess Willard title fight in 1915 was a 45 round fight, in other words, a fight to a FINISH. After 25 rounds Johnson was well ahead, (flabby, 37 years old) but had reached his stamina level and was KO's by Willard in the 26th rd (Willard, 32, 6' 6" tall). THAT's stamina if you like.............

Ali also said he wouldnt stand a chance against Tyson. Ali never said that, Tyson said that he wouldn't stand a chance against Ali.

This topic has been argued (and will continue to be argued) ad nauseam. They even had that computerized "fight." But, listening to what actually came out of Rocky's mouth in that interview, he detailed how he would approach a fight with Ali, not how he would beat him. There's a difference. The Rock even states at the beginning of his interview that he never knocked a fighter before and wasn't about to start. Basically, in his honorable world, saying he would beat a guy is the same as putting the guy down. Marciano was classy, as well as articulate. For those that never saw the "computerized fight" between Marciano and Ali: it's essentially a dramatization where the actual men pretend to box and act out the so-called computer's prediction of how the match would unfold. Many years ago, I saw the version where Rocky wins. But I understand that two versions exist, one where each man takes turn as the winner. It proved nothing, and it's nothing but entertainment for a serious boxing fan. I seem to recall that Marciano objected to the finish where Ali won, and it was redone so that Rocky won........ There also were reports that Rocky was expremely annoyed during the simulated sparring because Ali was continuously poking out his left hand and disturbing Rocky's "rug"- his toupee- his wig. which can be seen in all it's glory on the tape. He reputedly retaliated by belting Ali in the stomach a few times. He was very sensitive about his baldness ............

MA would dismantle RM bigtime in this fantasy matchup.

Ali also said he wouldnt stand a chance against Tyson. Thats not what he said...he said if he got caught by him he would get knocked out...:boxing:

This topic has been argued (and will continue to be argued) ad nauseam. They even had that computerized "fight." But, listening to what actually came out of Rocky's mouth in that interview, he detailed how he would approach a fight with Ali, not how he would beat him. There's a difference. The Rock even states at the beginning of his interview that he never knocked a fighter before and wasn't about to start. Basically, in his honorable world, saying he would beat a guy is the same as putting the guy down. Marciano was classy, as well as articulate. For those that never saw the "computerized fight" between Marciano and Ali: it's essentially a dramatization where the actual men pretend to box and act out the so-called computer's prediction of how the match would unfold. Many years ago, I saw the version where Rocky wins. But I understand that two versions exist, one where each man takes turn as the winner. It proved nothing, and it's nothing but entertainment for a serious boxing fan.

R.I.P Rocky....you were a true legend man :)

Ali was being respectful towards a past champ, not sure if I believe him there. I've seen a great deal of Ali on dvd, watched Marciano on utube and I've got an old vhs of his first fight with Walcott plus read quite a bit on him, I call it like I see it, Ali by easy victory. Rocky had no defence. I know he was extremely aggressive and wouldn't back down, but he fought smaller HWs, Walcott dropped him with a quick left hook and had him on wobbly legs for the rest of the round. Walcott weighed less than 200 lbs. Archie Moore also dropped him heavily, and but for the ref impeding further action, might have finished him on the spot. In my opinion, one of the least skilled champions. Rocky, after retirement was very articulate, since he had become an after-dinner-speaker, travelling all over Nth America for functions {I believe at $4-5,000 an appearance} It was whilst on one of these trips, I think, that his plane crashed, killing him.

Marciano would have takena aone sided beating and then KOed. Marciano was a crappier version of Frazier.

basically hes saying he would do what Fraizer did to beat Ali in thier first fight. i think ali got lucky with the ref allowing holding in his 2nd fight with fraizer,and im sure the decision in the 3rd fight would have been close if it was a 12 rounder like now adays,also if fraizer wasnt half blind turning totally blind at the end of the fight!.

Walcott was beating Rocky until he got smashed, Charles (a LHW) gave Rocky hell in both of their fights, Ali was bigger and better then both of these men, and had a better chin. I don't see how Marciano would have won....punchers chance, yes....but Ali has been in with harder punchers.

Thats not what Ali said when interviewed on UK tv in the 1970s...when asked whom would of been the hardest guy to of faced and beat he said Marciano ...he said the guy could take everything and keep on coming !who know who would of won between us ! ? Ali also said he wouldnt stand a chance against Tyson.