Could Rocky Marciano last with the Heavyweights today? or would he have to drop down to Cruiser. He was usually 190lbs at weigh in if I'm not mistaken.
His power and grit are incredible and to me carry to any fighter today. But his size is the only question I have.
I've heard people say crazy things like "Canelo could move up to heavyweight and take on Wilder..."
Most people rightfully dismiss it as rediculous.
A more realistic match up though - prime Alvarez vs. prime Marciano at a catch weight.
Marciano was 5'11" and fought between 184-188 (anything over 175 was heavyweight in his time).
Alvarez is about 5'9" and is now fighting at light heavyweight (up to 175).
Marciano had a granite chin, huge power, and retired undefeated. 49-0 (43 KOs)
Alvarez only lost to Mayweather--and by decision. He stands at 56-1-2 (38 KOs)
Who wins and why?
My feeling is that most people think of Balboa, and that feels like a shame, so I'm curious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFUJ3KDjrlI
I do not know much about him but I am surprised that he was so articulate. Not many agree with me that being world champ in boxing requires a certain amount of brains -- while boxing is of course primarily a physical sport, it also requires quick thinking, detecting weaknesses in opponents, etc. Not many boxers are very educated but that is different than intelligence.
Even Mike Tyson I think showed some smarts -- supposedly while watching aikido in Japan he said something sort of insightful (apparently -- I know nothing about aikido): "It's all in the knees, isn't it?" which is exactly the sort of insight a top boxer might make about another combat sport.
My main question is, when boxers eventually show dementia, does it tend to come on sort of suddenly sometimes? Certainly Ali was also an articulate and funny guy but he seemed diminished long before his eventual sad end.
But I could also see, in theory, that a boxer remains sharp but then declines suddenly because what happened in the ring deprived him of the "redundancy" that he might otherwise had to draw upon. He seemed okay until natural aging caught up with him but unlike in the non-boxer, it was a very steep rather than gradual decline.
I understand that Marciano died young -- he really does not have much to do with this question, I just happened to see this video of a guy who was frankly much sharper than I would have guessed.
If you are unaware of him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0thgICCwjo
Obviously the fighter used for the Rocky movie series.
Such a unique fighter with a pretty good backstory. Really surprised he hasn't been featured in Baki in some form. At least that I'm aware of.
Both in their prime, 3 minute rounds with 1 minute in between. 8 Ounce gloves with Championship rules, for 15 rounds. Both in their prime with 6 Months to prepare for the fight.
From what I can find, Rocky weighed 184 when he fought Jersey Joe for the first time. I think he weighed up to 190 throughout his career. Who knows if itβs true, but Amir Khan claimed Canelo weighed over 180 pounds after weighing in at 155 for the catch weight. Do you guys think it would be realistic for Rocky to cut down to middleweight?
And how do you think he would fair against modern guys in this weight range like GGG, Canelo, and Beterbiev? Could he be a #1 P4P guy fighting in modern times? Or can you see them giving him trouble
Two of the best undersized american HW champs of all time go at it in their primes. They are both ferocious fighters with savage punching power, an iron will and an intimidating aura. Who do you think would win?
My three favorite old school pressure fighters from hw; all were so similar in their approach yet so different; Marciano would stalk, Patterson would feint and shit, and Frazier would use his awkward rhythmic Bob and weave. So who wins, in their prime?
I've seen this joke on many Youtube comments and sometimes even on Reddit exactly who and where was this said?
Both in their prime, 3 minute rounds with 1 minute in between. 8 Ounce gloves with Championship rules, for 15 rounds. Both in their prime with 6 Months to prepare for the fight.
