Were headbutts (or fouls in general) a big deal 'back in the day?'

The ref used to have a lot more freedom and less to worry about. Some would DQ at the drop of the hat, some would allow full on wrestling tactics. lets also keep in mind marciano was a mob controled fighter, he could get away with a little bit more than others even back then. Marciano received death threats up until the day he died because he was NOT a mob controlled fighter, despite their efforts.

I remember seeing Jack Johnson vs Fireman Jim Flynn and Flynn was hitting Johnson almost with "flying" headbutts Victor Ortiz' style. And the ref didnt do anything about it. so yes, it was different back then. There are some pretty serious extenuating circumstances in Jack Johnson's (or any black fighter pre-Louis) case though...

Charles lands a headbutt first and Rocky retaliates. Nothign wrong with that.

I remember seeing Jack Johnson vs Fireman Jim Flynn and Flynn was hitting Johnson almost with "flying" headbutts Victor Ortiz' style. And the ref didnt do anything about it. so yes, it was different back then.

boxing was alot more rough and tumble back then. i remember ali getting blatantly rabbit punched over and over by wepner and signaling to the ref who just ignored it. ali then started throwing bolo rabbit punches himself to make a point. knowing what happened to ali and many other fighters of that time you cant help but think following the rules more closely today is good for the sport. lets also keep in mind marciano was a mob controled fighter, he could get away with a little bit more than others even back then.