1952 Rocky Marciano vs 1959 Cleveland Williams

[uncle ben]

The prime versions of both men meet in the squared circle. Who walks away with the win?

[billeau2]

Its impossible to bet against Marciano when an opponent has shown foibles. With that said, Williams, at his best had the tools to beat Marciano. One might say that Louis having aged when he fought Marciano means that Rocky never fought a prime bona fide puncher. Of course Marciano fought many guys who were superb boxer punchers... I give Williams a chance...

[Anthony342]

Good fight however long it lasts. I like The Rock to show The Cleveland Steamer how to know his damn role. That's the Original Rock, not this jabroni: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mniC3SPx1g

[ShoulderRoll]

If Roland LaStarza could get robbed against Marciano then I think prime Cleveland Williams would have a good chance of getting a win.

George Foreman called Williams one of the three genuine punchers he met or worked with in his career. The guy lifted 80lb hay bales and could hit like a mule kick, he supposedly broke Sonny Liston's nose in the first fight.

[GhostofDempsey]

Despite Williams somewhat lackluster resume, he was better than his record would suggest. With his height and long range, I think he could keep Rocky on the outside of his punches and make him pay when he comes lunging in for the body. Williams was a hard punched and if a couple of light-heavyweights could drop Marciano, I suspect Williams puts him on his ass for the final count. Rocky would have to take too much punishment to get to Williams chin.

[uncle ben]

Despite Williams somewhat lackluster resume, he was better than his record would suggest. With his height and long range, I think he could keep Rocky on the outside of his punches and make him pay when he comes lunging in for the body. Williams was a hard punched and if a couple of light-heavyweights could drop Marciano, I suspect Williams puts him on his ass for the final count. Rocky would have to take too much punishment to get to Williams chin.

Walcott was close to 200 pounds when he fought Rocky and never fought at light heavyweight as a pro. At least that I'm aware of. And Moore had HW power as he had a lot of stoppages of heavies.

[GhostofDempsey]

Walcott was close to 200 pounds when he fought Rocky and never fought at light heavyweight as a pro. At least that I'm aware of. And Moore had HW power as he had a lot of stoppages of heavies.

Walcott began his career as a middleweight at about 158. He was never a big puncher, but good at creating openings with combinations. I feel Williams was a bigger puncher.

[billeau2]

Walcott began his career as a middleweight at about 158. He was never a big puncher, but good at creating openings with combinations. I feel Williams was a bigger puncher.

Well... Williams WAS a bona fide puncher so your feeling is also a fact... The greatness of Charles, Walcott, Moore, was undeniable...and they all could punch BUT they were boxers who had a great punch...Williams was a puncher. He wouldn't box Marciano, he would not try to finesse Marciano. He would try from the get go to KO marciano.

[billeau2]

Despite Williams somewhat lackluster resume, he was better than his record would suggest. With his height and long range, I think he could keep Rocky on the outside of his punches and make him pay when he comes lunging in for the body. Williams was a hard punched and if a couple of light-heavyweights could drop Marciano, I suspect Williams puts him on his ass for the final count. Rocky would have to take too much punishment to get to Williams chin.

Dude was the Orlando Salido of his day! "Hey! Hey! that guy lost lots of fights whats the worry!?"

[GhostofDempsey]

Well... Williams WAS a bona fide puncher so your feeling is also a fact... The greatness of Charles, Walcott, Moore, was undeniable...and they all could punch BUT they were boxers who had a great punch...Williams was a puncher. He wouldn't box Marciano, he would not try to finesse Marciano. He would try from the get go to KO marciano.

Liston was able to make Williams pay for the mistake of standing toe to toe and trading with him. I don’t think Rocky wins that battle. Even if he makes it the distance I think he takes a lot of punishment. It’s just a bad style match up against a big puncher who was a natural HW.