49' Charles vs. prime Marciano

[Jupiter1610]

Do not mean to open up a flame war here but I honestly believe a better version of Ezzard Charles, say from 1949, could have beaten a prime Marciano. We know that he could take him 15 rounds so one cannot write this off as an easy KO for Rocky. By the time Charles faced Marciano for the first time in '54, his skill has slipped drastically. He was still a capable fighter but it is said that he was no longer the sharp boxer of his earlier days. I think that the added speed and aggressiveness of a younger Charles could pull a UD over Rocky, perhaps by even a large margin. Ezzard had an incredible run up until his first loss with Walcott, it is hard to see Marciano winning a decision unless he catches him with something. Anyone else of the same opinion?

[janitor]

As a staunch defender of Marciano I will say that this fight could be anyones.

[Zakman]

Marciano finds a way to win.

[Duodenum]

Yes, Charles could have won a 15 round decision over the peak Marciano of the Layne and Mathews fights. Rocky could have also taken out the 1949 Charles with a single shot, if Ezz slipped his concentration for an instant.

[Marnoff]

Marciano finds a way to win.

I agree. That's the thing with Marciano, he was often in with slicker guys, he just managed to find the way to win in all 49 of his fights.

[Ramon Rojo]

Charles by decision

[Ramon Rojo]

Do not mean to open up a flame war here

If there´s a flamewar for expressing your opinion then so be it.

[robert ungurean]

I pick Charles by 15 round decision.
Me too.

[Minotauro]

I think Charles would out box him to a decision although he may can knocked down in the process he'll get up to win.