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As for Marciano's status, i think he's underrated by some (those who simply think he's an unskilled slugger) and overrated by others (those who have him in the top 3 all-time at heavy).
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Rocky was a great fighter, i think this is a really good question because in some ways you could say he was. I don't think he was overated for his time because he was the toughest out there but i do think he's overated on the toughest Heavyweights of all time rankings. He showed great courage and heart in alot of his fights, especially against Jersey Joe Walcot for the championship. I never judge Rocky on his fight against Joe Louis because we all are aware that Joe Louis was way past his best. A prime Joe would have beaten up Rocky Marciano just like a prime Ali would have. Rocky was a good brawler but when a good brawler comes into the ring against a boxing genius i honestly cannot even imagine Rocky ever ladning a lucky punch on either of these guys.Last edited by Dark Destroyer; 10-22-2004, 01:22 PM.Comment
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Rocky marciano is the greatest fighter of all time. Most people do not realize this, so he is very underrrated. For those of you who don't know, the Rock did fight Ali in 1969 for a computer simulation in order to predict who would win in their primes. Go to this website, it's right here: http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/A...//alirock.html
i'll tell you the results, but please go read this for yourselves at the above link, the Rock knocked Ali down with a right hook to the body and Ali refused to continue. Ali was 27, Marciano was 46. Ali was great, but Marciano would have KTFO'd him exactly like he did Walcott, and Joe Louis, and a younger joe Louis would have got KO'd faster because a young Louis would have come at Marciano faster, and thus, got KO'd fasterComment
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I'm not sure about that but if it says Marciano KO'd Ali then i'll have to agree.Originally posted by beeatch!Comment
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That site has factual errors and is grossly biased. Marciano is a top ten HW of all time but not the very best or even top 5. Prime for prime Ali would beat him by decision but it would be close. He was a great fighter and one of the best conditioned athletes who ever lived, but one has to take into the account his quality of opposition, and when you take away old past their primes Charles and Walcott (not to mention a completly shot Joe Louis) you don't have much else, and both of them gave Marciano hell in their fights.Comment
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Rocky Marciano has been underrated way before he started boxing and when he turned Pro.
When Rocky Marciano (1923-1969) started boxing at 25, he
was told he'd never make it as a professional. Trainers pointed
out that he had no balance and no left hook, and he was too old,
too small and too clumsy. He proved his critics wrong time and
again. Rocky Marciano became the undefeated World Heavyweight
Champion from 1952-1956, and 43 of his 49 of his fights were won
by knockout.Comment
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That simulation should have no bearing on Marciano's all-time status at all. It was simply a simulation. In fact, they actually recorded senarios where Ali won. The makers simply decided to release the one where Marciano knocks Ali out.Originally posted by beeatch!Comment
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Marciano's heart, desire to win, and punching power are given their just due. I don't think he was the best Heavy ever, though. His 49-0 record is what gives him his mythical status. If he'd lost that decision against LaStarza, it would have made all the difference in the history books and top-ten ratings. Marciano deserves his kudos for being able to gut out victories over Charles (1st fight) and Walcott (1st fight) and then killing them in the rematches. A prime Louis probably would have shredded him, however, and Larry Holmes or Ali would have had their way with him for 15 rounds. IMHO.Comment
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Joe Louis admitted that Rocky would have beat him even in his prime. Also at 38 yrs old he was 68-2 and was still better than 95% of fighters in history.Originally posted by Wez
Jack Dempsey said Marciano was the hardest puncher in history.
That's pretty good backup from the most reliable sources around.
He also broke a GOOD pro boxer's arms with gloved fists, Roland LaStarza.
He also has the highest KO rate of any heavyweight champion in history with 89%.
While filming the fantasy fight, Rocky actually floored Ali with a body shot and Ali refused to continue until he was offered a bigger cut... he also refused an actual match that Rocky challenged him to. Rocky was in his mid-40's at the time.
When the going got tough he rose to the occasion, EVERY SINGLE TIME. If that isn't heart then I don't know what is. He's been cut, outboxed and floored... always came back with the KO when he needed it. 100% is a flawless record, that means NO ONE found out how to beat him.
He beat a man that was around 250 lbs, undefeated (something like 2-0 or 4-0 I forget) and the man retired after the Rocky fight.
Beat a title contender who was something like 26-0 in just his 4th career fight... he was essentially fed to the lions so his manager could get paid.
He did all of this with the shortest reach of any heavyweight in history.
How is it possible to "overrate" this man? To do so would be on opinion alone when all facts and stats point towards greatness... and if we're talking opinion, I'll take Jack Dempsey's and Joe Louis' over some boxing fans 75 years later.
The best heavyweight fighter of all time.Comment
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I think Joe Louis underestimated himself. Louis had the skill, speed of hand, and power in his prime to mess Marciano up badly. Joe murdered guys who came towards him. He devastated them. If Jersey Joe's left hook could floor Marciano and cut him up, and if Archie Moore's right hand could drop him and give him some trouble, and if Roland LaStarza could give him issues, imagine what the prime fists of combination-punching Louis could do. The fight would be stopped around four or five with Martciano's face a gory mess. Marciano could throw a one-punch kayo, but against top guys he had to grind them down a bit first. I see Louis doing most of the early rounds grinding as he chops Rocky's face to shreds with his combos and jab.Comment
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