Mike Tyson vs Rocky Marciano

[Thunder Lips]

Any boxing skills?

Marciano was obviously undersized but he was very skilled at what he did. Just look at something like the Harry Kid Matthews fight.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=qujgVDSZwZI

Matthews gives Rocky trouble with his movement, jab, and right hand counters in the first round. However it doesn't take long for Rocky to figure him out, avoid his punches, and start slipping counters of his own. Rocky was certainly a bit more than a super conditioned athlete that ran at people swinging wild haymakers, he was smart and skilled at what he did as a small swarmer.

[butterfly1964]

Any boxing skills?

Marciano was obviously undersized but he was very skilled at what he did. Just look at something like the Harry Kid Matthews fight.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=qujgVDSZwZI

Matthews gives Rocky trouble with his movement, jab, and right hand counters in the first round. However it doesn't take long for Rocky to figure him out, avoid his punches, and start slipping counters of his own. Rocky was certainly a bit more than a super conditioned athlete that ran at people swinging wild haymakers, he was smart and skilled at what he did as a small swarmer.

That fight doesn't show much except a blown-up middleweight getting caught by a hard puncher after giving him a boxing lesson. Marciano was not "very-skilled". He had marginal skills and great power and conditioning.

[Thunder Lips]

That fight doesn't show much except a blown-up middleweight getting caught by a hard puncher after giving him a boxing lesson. Marciano was not "very-skilled". He had marginal skills and great power and conditioning.

Matthews certainly got caught but it wasn't by accident. He had considerable trouble finding Marciano in the second round and started getting caught over the top, which is why he had to start back paddling and stop throwing like he did in the first. Also notice how Marciano started jabbing to get inside(which actually set up the knock out).

Marciano had marginal overall boxing skills but again, as a swarmer he was very capable at avoiding and countering long punches(the purpose of his stance), cutting off the ring, and picking his spots. His power and stamina is certainly the backbone of his success and he adapted his style to compliment that.

And it's not like Matthews jumped from middleweight to heavyweight overnight, he was a very busy undefeated light heavyweight in the years leading up to the fight. Still in this fight, he was the faster man, more experienced, and certainly the more capable pure boxer. Besides, he was always a skillful dancer that won most of his fights by not getting caught; he wanted the Marciano fight because he thought his superior skill would expose him.

[butterfly1964]

Matthews certainly got caught but it wasn't by accident. He had considerable trouble finding Marciano in the second round and started getting caught over the top, which is why he had to start back paddling and stop throwing like he did in the first. Also notice how Marciano started jabbing to get inside(which actually set up the knock out).

Marciano had marginal overall boxing skills but again, as a swarmer he was very capable at avoiding and countering long punches(the purpose of his stance), cutting off the ring, and picking his spots. His power and stamina is certainly the backbone of his success and he adapted his style to compliment that.

And it's not like Matthews jumped from middleweight to heavyweight overnight, he was a very busy undefeated light heavyweight in the years leading up to the fight. Still in this fight, he was the faster man, more experienced, and certainly the more capable pure boxer. Besides, he was always a skillful dancer that won most of his fights by not getting caught; he wanted the Marciano fight because he thought his superior skill would expose him.

Still though Kid Matthews was a media-hype job, that padded his record against nobodies. Marciano just exposed him, that's all. Beating this guy doesn't mean much. The guy didn't give Rocky angles, nor did he get up on his toes an offer Marciano a moving target. It was a good win for Rocky, but nothing spectacular. Anybody who knows something about boxing should have known Matthews was gonna get smashed.

[Thunder Lips]

Still though Kid Matthews was a media-hype job, that padded his record against nobodies. Marciano just exposed him, that's all. Beating this guy doesn't mean much. The guy didn't give Rocky angles, nor did he get up on his toes an offer Marciano a moving target. It was a good win for Rocky, but nothing spectacular. Anybody who knows something about boxing should have known Matthews was gonna get smashed.

Yes, I believe Marciano was a considerable favorite going in, that might even be in this video as I haven't watched this one with the sound on and the first round schooling was considered a shocker. I think Matthews was good on his feet in this fight and he was fading away from many of Rocky's attacks; there is just only so much you can do against a guy like that. Rocky's had much bigger wins against better fighters, I just picked this video because its short and shows Marciano adapting well in the ring without simply overwhelming the other guy as the fight progressed.

[short_hook]

I think without a doubt Tyson is going to win because he really packs a mean punch. Even though he is small for a heavyweight he is so powerful.

[uncle_rico]

marciano does fine against shorter hw's like tyson and frazier.
dunno if he wins or not, but it'd defintely be competative.

I can see him losing to taller (and more skilled or stronger) guys like ali, foreman, (maybe) holmes, etc...

this is a tough fight to call though. My gut feeling is, if marciano gets through the early rounds, he wins.

Still though Kid Matthews was a media-hype job, that padded his record against nobodies. Marciano just exposed him, that's all. Beating this guy doesn't mean much. The guy didn't give Rocky angles, nor did he get up on his toes an offer Marciano a moving target. It was a good win for Rocky, but nothing spectacular. Anybody who knows something about boxing should have known Matthews was gonna get smashed.

[Thunder Lips]

I like Marciano's chances against a prime Ali, not sure if he would win but he matches up very well against him. Holmes as well.

Foreman not so much as I think he crushes most swarmers or other smaller aggressive fighters. I think Marciano would probably do a little better than Frazier as he was better defensively, more strategic, and had a great right hand, but I don't know. Foreman always had bad stamina so maybe Rocky has a chance if he somehow survives, but like Frazier he was a slower starter than Dempsey or Tyson.

Marciano vs. Tyson would be a wierd interesting match up. Tyson was a hot starter and his superior power and quick combinations has a good chance of overwhelming Rocky early. Still, Rocky was durable and better in the grapple and Tyson didn't react well to being held and smothered, so he has at least a chance of making out of the early onslaught. Tyson fades as the fight goes on and Rocky gets more active so I agree with Rico in that regard.

[robjr]

marciano wins.

[HopeFalcon]

This would be one helluva match

My vote goes to Rocco