Marciano V Ali

[OrlandoFighter]

I've been wondering ever since i became a fan of boxing, who would win? My personal favorite, Rocky Marciano, or the man to whom many regard as the best fighter of all time, Muhammad Ali. I know times were different and the rules were to, but I'd like to know what you all think.

[Rise Above]

Ali, was the better boxer, had a great chin and the height and reach advantages so I would say he would win.

[Bokaj]

My money would be on Ali, but Marciano would be a really tough nut to crack. While he didn't apply pressure with the same lethal speed that Frazier did, he was more crablike and awkward in how he did it, and just like Frazier he never stopped coming. Hard to hit and with punishing power in both hands. A bit like a combination of Frazier and Norton in a way. He would really ask questions of Ali.

[Dempsey1238]

I know people may say height and reach in favor of Ali, but than again, Marciano has seen that all before. Marciano was a master of over coming reach and height problems.
Hell Ali had the same favors over Fraizer, and Ali lost the first one, and went life and death with him in the 3rd fight. So I will not write off Marciano because of the reach thing.

Marciano had heart, Ali had heart, both were willing to punish there bodys to get the W, and both were great at what they do style wise, so I see this as a war, that could go either way. 50 50 imo. I know most people will just say Ali, but I not so sure about that. Its going to be one of thsos gut watching fights on both sides.

[Longhhorn71]

Good that both fought 15 round fights so that some comparison can be made.

Ali by TKO on cuts or UD...

or Marciano by late KO, he wouldn't let Ali get away like Frazier did in round 11 & 15 in the FOC.

That is why it is such an ongoing question.

[Hydraulix]

Rocky would soundly defeat the 1970s version of Ali. The Muhammad Ali of the 70s was slower, and much easier to catch. A rope-a-dope strategy would not work on Rocky. (Rocky was known to break blood vessels in opponents' arms.)

[groove]

Ali win. Marciano was not quick on foot and had such a reach disadvantage - he would take 5 punches to his 1 - (he aint fighting no light heavy like Moore or Charles). Marciano was tough, very tough, his only chance was if Ali was not in top condition. Marciano would fight til the very end but he didn't have the skill or speed of a peak Ali.

[Rock0052]

Toss up fight for me. Ali was faster and more versatile, but he also stayed on the ropes and fought flat footed a little too much when he faced swarmers for my liking and his willingness to trade led to him taking unnecessary punishment at times. Marciano would absolutely thrive on that kind of thing, and was a master of cutting the ring off and had the staying power to throw full power shots all 15. It'd either be an Ali UD or a Rocky TKO late.

[radianttwilight]

The mark of an ATG is finding ways to win.

Don't count Marciano out. Ali would be the rightful favorite but he's not in there with Chuvalo or Cooper this time. Marciano is going to develop a gameplan like he always did and if that gameplan didn't work he would adapt it over the course of the fight.

Lesser fighters will walk into punches ala Cobb-Holmes or Ali's 1960s fights...Marciano will not be that easy to put away.

[timmers612]

The first Chuvalo fight against the '60's Ali makes me wonder here. George was strong but not relentless moving forward as Marciano, and maybe a touch slower, yet he caught Ali on the ropes numerous times. Ali in my opinion was not just letting George do this either. If that was the Rock banging on his sides and middle Ali may have tried harder not to be put there, but I think he would have been found by the Rock anyways. I favor Ali but man, enough of those body punches with Ali on the ropes and you can see Rocks big right hand coming down the stretch.

[SteveO]

I would give the edge to Ali but the Rock would not be baffled or shut out. He would have his moments and it wouldn't be over until it was over. The Rock may find a way.

[JohnThomas1]

I like Ali by decision but Rocky would make him work all the way. Great contest this one.

[Robbi]

Ali win. Marciano was not quick on foot and had such a reach disadvantage - he would take 5 punches to his 1 - (he aint fighting no light heavy like Moore or Charles). Marciano was tough, very tough, his only chance was if Ali was not in top condition. Marciano would fight til the very end but he didn't have the skill or speed of a peak Ali.

Marciano would have eaten Ali for breakfast. Knockout win for the 'Brockton Blockbuster' inside 5 rounds.

[MRBILL]

Marciano would have eaten Ali for breakfast. Knockout win for the 'Brockton Blockbuster' inside 5 rounds.

Put the glass pipe down and stomp on it..... Ali easily smacks Marciano all around for a late round TKO due to cuts all around Marciano's eyes, nose & mouth, etc.... Ali at 6' 3" tall and 212 to 218 pounds is just too big and skilled for Rocky Marciano in a time machine.... A very interesting fight indeed, but Ali wins this one..... A prime Ali doesn't lose to anybody 5' 10" tall and a hair under 190 pounds..... NO WAY!!:-(:deal

MR.BILL

[laxpdx]

I think Marciano would be Ali's toughest challenge. Given Rocky's all-out relentless assault, it wouldn't surprise me if he wore Cassius down late. However, Ali had the style to cope with this kind of fighter. It would be a challenge like no other, but Mr. Clay should be able to pull it out. Peak Cassius that is.

[Russell]

Chuvalo made Ali piss blood. Really, what else is there to do?

Ali is all but impossible to knock down, none the less knockout. He'd finish the fight if bodywork had him dying of organ failure.

All this talk of Marciano tiring Ali out, and no one's analyzing that Ali could do the same thing right back. He was every bit as adept as Lennox Lewis as leaning on a fighter, pulling their head down, so on and so forth. Sure as hell worked tiring Frazier, another 15 round fighter.

[cpnasty]

Ali

[Permy]

Muhammad Ali would box Marcianos head off , but Marciano would last 15 rounds

[Boxing Gloves]

Id go for Ali, I was going to say by stoppage, but Maricano had an iron chin and a huge heart, I dont see it going any other way than a points win for Ali.

[mcvey]

Ali by u dec ,or tko on cuts late.

[timmers612]

Mr Bill, I'll have to check Doug Jones weight, but I'm guessing he wasn't that much above the 190 pounds Marciano carried? Russell, yeh, I think Ali would have the decision here, but Rock hit harder then Chuvalo and I think he would have put him on the ropes more often as he moved forward constantly, George kind of waited for Ali to slow during moments to do so. And theres the chance in the later rounds, after all those body and arm punches, of Marciano really getting through too. Well, in my opinion.

[JohnThomas1]

Not quite what he said


Mr Bill, I'll have to check Doug Jones weight, but I'm guessing he wasn't that much above the 190 pounds Marciano carried?


A very interesting fight indeed, but Ali wins this one..... A prime Ali doesn't lose to anybody 5' 10" tall and a hair under 190 pounds..... NO WAY!!:-(:deal

MR.BILL

[Muchmoore]

Ali by UD.

But he would pay for it. Marciano would beat him to the body like no one else did.