Rocky Marciano vs Chris Byrd

[PLATE]

I think the Rock would've found a way to win, as always. I doubt Byrd's pittypat punches would've discouraged him much. The combination of superior stamina, superior work rate, and superior power would just have been too much of an obstacle for Byrd to overcome.

[baracuda]

what about the cris byrd vs oquendo fight?i dont know if they ever had a rematch but i only saw one and it was a complete robbery in favor of byrd.fres took him to school and when cris opened his mouth after the fight ,took all the credit in theworld looking bad.he's gotta be the most overrated and annoying fighter in the heavyweight.dunno about marciano...

[Thunder Lips]

"Byrd wasn't a major clincher, but as you say, he did it when he had to, and if he had to with Rocky he would. A guy who could wrestle on the inside with Tua would be far better at controlling Rocky inside than la Starza ever could be. "

Eh, I have to disagree. LaStarza had to handle a much more active and aggressive fighter who was working like a madman out of the clinch round after round, beating his arms, chest, and ribs with full commited power shots if there was even a hint of wiggle room. Now Tua was actually initating alot of the clinches against Byrd cause he was so easily fatigue and even gunshy. Tua was heavy(and really fat) but he was a big softie in that fight and Byrd didn't have much to sweat. Its easy to clinch a guy when he isn't throwing or resisting.

"Remember, Rocky's first match with La Starza was rather close. However, counterbalancing this fact would be Rocky's tremendous work rate. "

LaStarza still tasted the canvas for the first time in his career and by most accounts Marciano was a mental wreck after the Vingo tragedy . Dundee and Goldman also believe Rocky didn't reach peak potential until the second LaStarza fight who himself would go on to admit how much he had improved since he was a raw up and comer. LaStarza still gave him trouble early cause like Byrd he was very fast and slick but if your counter punching can't threaten Marciano he'll get to you sooner than later.

"I don't know, I just thought it would be a really fun match up to watch"

Yeah, I think it would alot like LaStarza/Marciano II which is a real fun fight. Not a bad match up at all really, I just wouldn't give Byrd much of a chance in this instace.