Could Dempsey, Marciano and Johnson be Heavyweight champs today?

**The Hammer** · 06-16-2008, 05:41 PM

Ibragimov and Chagaev aren't really any bigger than those guys except perhaps for Marciano, they're both natural cruiserweights who've gained a little unnecessary weight.

**Ryn0** · 06-16-2008, 05:46 PM

Originally posted by Tunney

Ibragimov and Chagaev aren't really any bigger than those guys except perhaps for Marciano, they're both natural cruiserweights who've gained a little unnecessary weight.

Compared to Dempsey, Marciano they are. Dempsey never weighed over 193 lb and Marciano never weight more than 190 lb. Johnson was heavier around the 215 mark most of his career but compared to the 230-240 that alot of Heavy's come in at nowday's it SHOULD be a significant advantage.

**Dan...** · 06-16-2008, 05:51 PM

Yeah the dynamics of the HW division have certainly changed, for the worst IMO. A lot of the smaller fighter than made the division so great just would not be able to handle the heavier guys around today I don't think, despite their superior skill.

**The Hammer** · 06-16-2008, 05:53 PM

Originally posted by Ryno113

Compared to Dempsey, Marciano they are. Dempsey never weighed over 193 lb and Marciano never weight more than 190 lb. Johnson was heavier around the 215 mark most of his career but compared to the 230-240 that alot of Heavy's come in at nowday's it SHOULD be a significant advantage.

But both Chagaev and Ibragimov are overweight and flabby at 220. Ibragimov won his Olympic silver medal in 2000 at under 200 - he's fat at 220. Others like Chambers are natural cruiserweights, but fight at heavyweight for greater fame and more money.

Dempsey and Marciano would be cruiserweights today. Too bad the cruiserweight division doesn't have a higher profile, the fights there today are often very entertaining, like Marciano's fights were at heavyweight.

**warp1432** · 06-16-2008, 07:50 PM

Skill wise, probably, but size wise it would be to much.

**The Scientist** · 06-16-2008, 08:32 PM

Originally posted by Ryno113

In the age of the "super-heavy" could the lighter Dempsey, Marciano and Johnson all relatively light fighter's compared to today's Heavys achieve a championship belt in this era?

Could they beat the Klitchkos, Peters, Imbragovs, Valuevs and Chagaevs of this heavyweight division even with the significant weight disadvantage?

I think they could perhaps with the exception of Wlad although i'm not sure how a fight would play out.

Dempsey, Marciano and Johnson are in a whole other echleon, tougher and more durable than the said heavyweights despite their size. I don't think weight would be that big of an issue, Bob Fitzsimmons weighing 167 defeated Jess Willard 345 back in the day so the difference in skill respectivley plays a big role here. That being said, I'd say Dempsey and Johnson would have a good shot at beating the above heavy's, Marciano although raw and powerful, wouldn't have the skill necessary.

**MELLY-MEL...** · 06-16-2008, 08:54 PM

**** yeah, those old dogs are a rare breed not seen today! it is ashame to see them underrated by so many.

**WLAD OWNS** · 06-16-2008, 08:58 PM

I have tons of respect for Marciano, Dempsey and Johnson......But they would all get destroyed by Wladimir or Vitali in today's era.

**them_apples** · 06-16-2008, 09:29 PM

Dempsey might be able to give some guys trouble, but Marciano is to slow, to small and has no defense - he'd get busted up. Johnson is from a totally different boxing era and simply would stand no chance, boxing is much more developed than it was back then.

Today's heavyweight division sucks mind you, but they are to big and have enough skill to beat the Trio listed.

The best heavyweight era probably goes to the 70's or 80's Foreman, Frazier, Ali, Holmes Or Tyson, Lewis, Holyfield, Holmes...you take your pick..

I have no doubt Marciano could be a tough cruiser weight, he might even tag that tool David Haye, but chances are he'd never catch him.

Could Dempsey, Marciano and Johnson be Heavyweight champs today?