Who was the better fighter - Ricardo Lopez or Rocky Marciano?

[McGrain]

Neither lost, and although Rocky has victories over ATG fighters on his ledger, he's often criticised for picking on "old men", or at least great fighters who were past their best.

In many ways the two are opposites. Lopez is a near perfect tecnhician who does everything very very well, a prescice puncher who is capable of altering punches mid-flight. Rocky has near limitless stamina and throws for the opponent, often, rather than a specific target. Louis talks about "being unable to move his arms for weeks" after his fight with Marciano because Rocky liked hitting at the arms fro they were an easy target. Not technically great, Rocky had the raw goods and was moulded.

Who do you think was better at boxing? Overall, not boxing as in on your toes, being a boxer, who was better at doing this sport? Is it even reasonable to compare them, coming, as they do, from completely different weights and styles?

Some footage:

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Try to think of this independent of resume.

[fists of fury]

Let me sleep on this.

[DINAMITA]

Ricardo Lopez. His resume is not as good as Marciano's, but he was a better fighter all-round. Marciano was good at what he did but he was very limited. This is not the case with Lopez, who had more to give than he ever had to give. If only he had fought Carbajal and Gonzalez...

[Manassa]

I think I can safely say Marciano would hammer Lopez into the ground like a tent peg.

[heehoo]

Lopez. Flawless technique, power, footwork, speed, conditioning, chin, defense, heart.

[Sweet Pea]

Marciano was the greater fighter. As far as who was more effective, too many variables to take into consideration.

[Russell]

Depends on what you like and admire in a fighter I suppose. Really factors into where you rank both of them.

Marciano is the ultimate example of will over skill. Few fighters get as far as him with little physical, natural tools. Antofurmo and some others come to mind, but beyond those rare fighters?

[OLD FOGEY]

Marciano fought men who were much bigger than himself. I think that gives him an edge. I have no idea how many good fighters there really are at 108 lbs.

[SuzieQ49]

i dont know what some of you are thinking but marciano to be on film looks very skilled for his style....certainly just as effective as lopez. I think marciano proved himself alot more than lopez, especially against bigger fighters.


even ali, the king of critisism who hates on white dudes, commented on how much skilled rocky was out of his crouch avoiding the jab than he thought...that was a 46 year old rock

[mcvey]

I think I can safely say Marciano would hammer Lopez into the ground like a tent peg.
I like Lopez by dec.

[Russell]

I have no idea how many good fighters there really are at 108 lbs.

Plenty.

[Sweet Pea]

Plenty.Not that Lopez fought though.

[OLD FOGEY]

Plenty.


I should have put that better. What I meant is that Lopez fought in a very restricted weight class while Marciano was in an unlimited weight class. I would expect at any time to find more good fighters at 175 on up than at 108, give or take a pound or two.

[RockyJim]

The Rock was the better "fighter"....too many guns...