KO Dream Fight: Marciano - Dempsey

[JohnThomas1]

In his day, Dempsey's swarming damn-the-torpedoes style and heavy hands produced vicious knockouts, and his brutalisation of Jess Willard remains the most savage beating a heavyweight champion has ever recieved in losing the title.

In Marciano, Dempsey would not be meeting the kind of fighting against which he excelled, i.e, the ponderous slow moving likes of Willard and Firpo. At 5'10, Marciano was two inches shorter than T"he Manassa Mauler", and at 184 pounds, about the same weight. This would suit Marciano just fine, since the only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated made a career of cutting down bigger opponents with his sledgehammer overhand rights and uppercuts.

Of the two, Dempsey may have hit harder with one blow, but Marciano was a far better infighter and, tho ungainly, was also better defensively.

This would be fought in the trenches, since neither of these guys could take a step backward even if he wanted to. Ultimately, Marciano, perhaps the most finely conditioned heavyweight champion ever, would wear Dempsey down with his clubbing blows and tireless attack and, for once, superior technique. Having been stopped only once in 78 bouts, Dempsey's chin was steel and it would enable him to finish on his feet, thought barely.

Marciano by unaminous hard fought decision.

[RoccoMarciano]

In his day, Dempsey's swarming damn-the-torpedoes style and heavy hands produced vicious knockouts, and his brutalisation of Jess Willard remains the most savage beating a heavyweight champion has ever recieved in losing the title.

In Marciano, Dempsey would not be meeting the kind of fighting against which he excelled, i.e, the ponderous slow moving likes of Willard and Firpo. At 5'10, Marciano was two inches shorter than T"he Manassa Mauler", and at 184 pounds, about the same weight. This would suit Marciano just fine, since the only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated made a career of cutting down bigger opponents with his sledgehammer overhand rights and uppercuts.

Of the two, Dempsey may have hit harder with one blow, but Marciano was a far better infighter and, tho ungainly, was also better defensively.

This would be fought in the trenches, since neither of these guys could take a step backward even if he wanted to. Ultimately, Marciano, perhaps the most finely conditioned heavyweight champion ever, would wear Dempsey down with his clubbing blows and tireless attack and, for once, superior technique. Having been stopped only once in 78 bouts, Dempsey's chin was steel and it would enable him to finish on his feet, thought barely.

Marciano by unaminous hard fought decision.
If Firpo can knock Dempsey through the ropes, Marciano would put his lights out. This fight wouldn't last much longer than 9 or 10 rounds. Getting in Marciano's face would be a terrible mistake for Dempsey. Whether it's a double left hook or a Suzie Q, Dempsey gets KOed by round 10.

Isn't this about the millionth time this has been posted as a "dreeam fight" in the last year??

[JohnThomas1]

If Firpo can knock Dempsey through the ropes, Marciano would put his lights out. This fight wouldn't last much longer than 9 or 10 rounds. Getting in Marciano's face would be a terrible mistake for Dempsey. Whether it's a double left hook or a Suzie Q, Dempsey gets KOed by round 10.

Maybe, but they do point out Dempsey's steel chin. The man was a warrior and they are evenly matched size wise. What i found interesting was that they consider Marciano a far better infighter and better defensively in an ungainly way. Based on my own viewings i totally agree (tho FAR better inside is debatable, better none-the-less yes) and feel a lot better at my own total dumbfoundedness in Dempsey/Duran comparisons.

Regardless this is a brilliant matchup and would be absolute war. I see Dempsey having the better of the early going with Marciano gradually imposing himself. Fighting Rocky would have been one gruelling experience.

[RoccoMarciano]

Maybe, but they do point out Dempsey's steel chin. The man was a warrior and they are evenly matched size wise. What i found interesting was that they consider Marciano a far better infighter and better defensively in an ungainly way. Based on my own viewings i totally agree (tho FAR better inside is debatable, better none-the-less yes) and feel a lot better at my own total dumbfoundedness in Dempsey/Duran comparisons.

Regardless this is a brilliant matchup and would be absolute war. I see Dempsey having the better of the early going with Marciano gradually imposing himself. Fighting Rocky would have been one gruelling experience.

Who are they?

That isn't a sarcastic question, I'm just wondering what you have been studying.

[JohnThomas1]

Who are they?

That isn't a sarcastic question, I'm just wondering what you have been studying.

Who are who?

[RoccoMarciano]

Who are who?

"What i found interesting was that they consider Marciano a far better infighter and better defensively in an ungainly way"

I thought you had read something recently.

[JohnThomas1]

"What i found interesting was that they consider Marciano a far better infighter and better defensively in an ungainly way"

I thought you had read something recently.

KO staff with Dettloff doing the summary.

[RoccoMarciano]

Doesn't matter, Marciano needed a lot of room to throw his punches. He even said so himself during the Main Event programme he hosted. :smoke

Dempsey may have been the better infighter???

[JohnThomas1]

Doesn't matter, Marciano needed a lot of room to throw his punches. He even said so himself during the Main Event programme he hosted. :smoke

Dempsey may have been the better infighter???

Well fancy you questioning the Rock's inside effectiveness!!!

:D

[RoccoMarciano]

Well fancy you questioning the Rock's inside effectiveness!!!

:D

It was just something he said.. I really don't think he was being honest with it. He almost always had a tendency to respect the other fighter - not in an attempt to make himself look better, but merely to respect the skills of the ones he fought. That kind of respect for an opponent is lacking today, has been probably since the 70s..

It's kind of interesting that a good number of the guys Rocky beat actually seemed to genuinely like him afterwards.

Anyway, this is getting away from your post theme.

Rocky KOs the tomato can Dempsey inside of 10 rounds :smoke

[Russell]

Was Firpo really a plodder?

[JohnThomas1]

Was Firpo really a plodder?

I can't say he impresses me overly.

[RoccoMarciano]

I can't say he impresses me overly.

Then Dempsey shouldn't either.

Although a fighter can have an off night... just look at Rocky trying to land on Cockell for proof. Rocky wasn't very good in that fight regarding accuracy, but a glove to the chin, thrown in with an elbow or four, got the job done. Rocky looked awful in that fight regarding punch accuracy!

[JohnThomas1]

Then Dempsey shouldn't either.

Although a fighter can have an off night... just look at Rocky trying to land on Cockell for proof. Rocky wasn't very good in that fight regarding accuracy, but a glove to the chin, thrown in with an elbow or four, got the job done. Rocky looked awful in that fight regarding punch accuracy!

Yes, getting the job done on off nights is a good trait.

[Dempsey1238]

Marciano may have said he need room, but judging by the fight films, Marciano didnt need room. Layne, Walcott, Charles, Moore, Marciano was chest to chest with them most often, and He was not giving the OTHER guy any room.

[RoccoMarciano]

Marciano may have said he need room, but judging by the fight films, Marciano didnt need room. Layne, Walcott, Charles, Moore, Marciano was chest to chest with them most often, and He was not giving the OTHER guy any room.

It was just a Marciano statement out of respect for an opponent. At least in my own view.

Dempsey showed the same respect for his opponents, at least in my view.

I was just mentioning, Dempsey, that respect for an opponent has been lost more than anything else. If I could pinpoint when it happened, I'd say the 1970s.

Anyway, John wanted to get into the meat of the fight. My own thoughts didn't really accomplish that!

[JohnThomas1]

It was just a Marciano statement out of respect for an opponent. At least in my own view.

Dempsey showed the same respect for his opponents, at least in my view.

I was just mentioning, Dempsey, that respect for an opponent has been lost more than anything else. If I could pinpoint when it happened, I'd say the 1970s.

Anyway, John wanted to get into the meat of the fight. My own thoughts didn't really accomplish that!


That's ok Rocco, the meanderings are the best fun. I;m not worried if anyone gets into the meat of it, i am just trying to post a few rarish articles a week that people might enjoy reading.

[RoccoMarciano]

i am just trying to post a few rarish articles a week that people might enjoy reading.

You do a great job of it too in this section of the forum.. I get a lot out of what you post! - nothing new there!

[JohnThomas1]

You do a great job of it too in this section of the forum.. I get a lot out of what you post! - nothing new there!

I'm trying to post a little more but being a two finger bandit don't like typing lengthy articles very much

:oops:

:lol:

[RoccoMarciano]

I'm trying to post a little more but being a two finger bandit don't like typing lengthy articles very much

:oops:

:lol:
Sorry to learn you are lacking three or so fingers... Not a prob I'm interested in...

One thing I'll throw out there, for any member of the forum, is a discussion with me regarding this or that documented health issues.... these are always fun for me!

You want to type a lenghthy article with me.... well we'll see just what you know, John! Chances are I'll come out with something..... whether you appreciate an accurate statement or not is entirely up to you... Why don't you just "challenge" me on this or that........................ I'll be happy to respond :)

[JohnThomas1]

Sorry to learn you are lacking three or so fingers... Not a prob I'm interested in...



:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl

[RoccoMarciano]

:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl

Never mind, John... I was getting a bit snotty on a few things:lol:

[JohnThomas1]

Never mind, John... I was getting a bit snotty on a few things:lol:

Yeah, take it out on my hand!!

It was hilarious actually hahaha

[RoccoMarciano]

Yeah, take it out on my hand!!

It was hilarious actually hahaha

But, you need to admit, I'm always correct:lol:

[JIm Broughton]

I say this fight is a pick'em match. But if you put a gun to my head I'd actually pick Dempsey in one of the most vicious slugfests of all time. Jack had the longer reach, nearly 10 inches longer if I'm correct(77" to 68") wich would allow him to land from farther away. Plus Jack had faster hands and better foot movement. As for who the better infighter was, that certainly is debateable IMO. Jack had a vicious shovel hook to the body and could throw a fast double hook to the head as well (Firpo) and threw fast combos when he had his man hurt (Tunney). Both men had cast iron chins but the slight edge in stamina does go to Rocky. Equal power and viciousness. This one does not go the distance that's for sure but I think Jack takes it somewhere around the 8th or 9th. If he does'nt then I like Rocky later in the fight.

[SteveO]

Pick 'em fight?

[Dempsey1238]

I think once Dempsey or Marciano closes in, Reach wont matter, this is one of thsos match ups were reach will play little or no part at all.

[round15]

This fight is hard to pick a clear winner. Both men were two of the best shorter heavyweights, under 6'0, with strong inside boxing skills. I'd say if Marciano is not stopped on cuts in the late middle rounds, 8 - 11 of a 15 round fight, he probably KO's Dempsey late or wins via 3 point decision.
Stamina and the ability to punch hard in the later rounds would be the main factor in determining the winner.

[pugilist_boyd]

Could go either way ,depends whos era even if there is a neatral corner they got a little more strict in ROCKS era i see DEMPSEY cutting the ROCK up to make the ref stop it around 7th round and i think DEMPSEY WAS THE BETTER INFIGHTER but rock had better 1 punch power DEMPSEY fought much faster,but did lack rocks indurance,ive red several experts say everything the rock did dempsey did better.im also a 2 finger bandit john dont feel bad

[mcvey]

This fight is hard to pick a clear winner. Both men were two of the best shorter heavyweights, under 6'0, with strong inside boxing skills. I'd say if Marciano is not stopped on cuts in the late middle rounds, 8 - 11 of a 15 round fight, he probably KO's Dempsey late or wins via 3 point decision.
Stamina and the ability to punch hard in the later rounds would be the main factor in determining the winner.
Dempsey was 6 1

[SuzieQ49]

many people dont realize marciano changed his style from a one punch knockout artist slugger to a more mechanical less powerful volume punching swarmer. the change happened post 1953. I like the 1951-1952 marciano version better. The Marciano who walked through 6'2 215lb joe louis and destroyed him was rocky's best fight.

[ChrisPontius]

many people dont realize marciano changed his style from a one punch knockout artist slugger to a more mechanical less powerful volume punching swarmer. the change happened post 1953. I like the 1951-1952 marciano version better. The Marciano who walked through 6'2 215lb joe louis and destroyed him was rocky's best fight.

I think it depends a bit on who he's fighting.

For instance, against a guy like Tunney, the wear-you-down version that fought Charles and Moore may do better. That is not to say he couldn't knock Tunney out the way he fought in 51, of course. But you get my point.