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It is always interesting to see how history weighs in on these debates. For the longest time Holmes, like Lennox Lewis was to experience later, was castigated and told he was but for the grace of the great one (Ali), a mere jock strap holder himself, so to speak. Lets keep in mind that while it was sad that Liston was at times despised, it was not because of his talents...But in the case of Lewis and Holmes it took a while for them to gain credability. With Lewis all the guys he beat thought he was a lilly speaking pretender.
meanwhile the boxing pundits all understood from the get go that the Rock, fine broth of a man that he was, and more than capable of carrying the accolades of, what was perhaps the greatest of sport's title at the time, had his limits... Men who cautiously weighed in on the finest fighters from JJ, Dempsey, to Ali...would never tell one that Marciano was in that category of fighter. No, the Rock was more like Patterson than prime Liston... capable, great, but hardly one of the best.
Holmes had a great jab, incredible lateral movement...the heart of a lion... Ask Ernie Shavers. He fought tough hombres, and of course the legendary chip on his shoulder. I think Holmes lateral movement is underrated and his jab, though excellent, overrated a tad. marciano was much more accomplished technically than people realize: It reminds me of a discussion with some of my martial arts buddies, talking shop at a party while the women rolled their eyes and left us alone...
first guy says, "The Aztecs had incredible martial arts" Second guy says "there is no documentation of these arts, how do we know?" third guy pipes in "because they were expected to subdue up to 4 prisoners at a time for the sacrifice...Try NOT having an incredible art and doing that!" With Marciano he HAD to be incredibly technically astute to fight guys like Louis, Walcott and Charles and get inside on them to brawl. One can break down his methods but sometimes the mere act of doing something implies a skill level.
Not many heavyweights get by with such a short reach and make it work to their advantage... and marciano was not particularly fast on his feet, nor did he have lighting fast hands. While it would be a wonderful world if the Gattis of the boxing establishment could become supermen... its not the way the ball bounces. marciano was no Atturo Gatti... Unlike Gatti (RIP) marciano was either an ATG or close to one. So how good was he compared to the Easton Assasin?
I can't say either man fought better comp. Marciano fought great ones past it...but not so past it that he got a pass! Holmes fought a lot of tough guys, good fighters but not great fighters...Weaver, Lyle, Norton, Shavers, Coony, etc. Both had great whiskers. You could even make the case that they were somewhat equal in terms of rank when it comes to their place in the pantheon of great heavyweights.
meanwhile the boxing pundits all understood from the get go that the Rock, fine broth of a man that he was, and more than capable of carrying the accolades of, what was perhaps the greatest of sport's title at the time, had his limits... Men who cautiously weighed in on the finest fighters from JJ, Dempsey, to Ali...would never tell one that Marciano was in that category of fighter. No, the Rock was more like Patterson than prime Liston... capable, great, but hardly one of the best.
Holmes had a great jab, incredible lateral movement...the heart of a lion... Ask Ernie Shavers. He fought tough hombres, and of course the legendary chip on his shoulder. I think Holmes lateral movement is underrated and his jab, though excellent, overrated a tad. marciano was much more accomplished technically than people realize: It reminds me of a discussion with some of my martial arts buddies, talking shop at a party while the women rolled their eyes and left us alone...
first guy says, "The Aztecs had incredible martial arts" Second guy says "there is no documentation of these arts, how do we know?" third guy pipes in "because they were expected to subdue up to 4 prisoners at a time for the sacrifice...Try NOT having an incredible art and doing that!" With Marciano he HAD to be incredibly technically astute to fight guys like Louis, Walcott and Charles and get inside on them to brawl. One can break down his methods but sometimes the mere act of doing something implies a skill level.
Not many heavyweights get by with such a short reach and make it work to their advantage... and marciano was not particularly fast on his feet, nor did he have lighting fast hands. While it would be a wonderful world if the Gattis of the boxing establishment could become supermen... its not the way the ball bounces. marciano was no Atturo Gatti... Unlike Gatti (RIP) marciano was either an ATG or close to one. So how good was he compared to the Easton Assasin?
I can't say either man fought better comp. Marciano fought great ones past it...but not so past it that he got a pass! Holmes fought a lot of tough guys, good fighters but not great fighters...Weaver, Lyle, Norton, Shavers, Coony, etc. Both had great whiskers. You could even make the case that they were somewhat equal in terms of rank when it comes to their place in the pantheon of great heavyweights.
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