Can anybody give me some insight about former contender NINO VALDES?

[RAMPAGE0017]

I made a thread about this before this board crashed, and I didn't get too many replies on it, so I just wanna see if anyone else can tell me anything about this guy. I heard the rumors of Marciano's backers supposedly avoiding this guy, but is there anything further anybody can tell me about him? Have any of you seen video footage of any of his fights? Was he skilled? Was he a dangerous opponent? Any information is greatly appreciated.

The only time I've ever even SEEN this guy was when the announcer introduced him to the crowd before the Moore/Marciano fight, he looked pretty damn big.

[Bummy Davis]

He lost 4 fights in a row in 1953, Bob Baker,Billy Gilliam,Harold Johnson,Archie Moore, (Charles beat Billy Giliam and Coley Wallace stopped him and Moore KO'd Johnson and Baker) Valdez had a good 1954 with a close decision over Charles but won a controversial decision to 5"11 184lb Archie Mcbride. In 1955 Valdez lost another fight to Moore and then was beaten and dropped by 174lb Bob Satterfield(who Charles KO'd in 2) by the way Satterfield also KO'd in 3 rounds Cleveland Big Cat Williams before Liston...Valdez was at most decent, nothing special

[RAMPAGE0017]

He lost 4 fights in a row in 1953, Bob Baker,Billy Gilliam,Harold Johnson,Archie Moore, (Charles beat Billy Giliam and Coley Wallace stopped him and Moore KO'd Johnson and Baker) Valdez had a good 1954 with a close decision over Charles but won a controversial decision to 5"11 184lb Archie Mcbride. In 1955 Valdez lost another fight to Moore and then was beaten and dropped by 174lb Bob Satterfield(who Charles KO'd in 2) by the way Satterfield also KO'd in 3 rounds Cleveland Big Cat Williams before Liston...Valdez was at most decent, nothing special


How the hell was he ever considered a contender?

[Bummy Davis]

he had a few good sporatic wins but was not consistant

[salsanchezfan]

We can expect SuzieQ any second now.

[Marciano Frazier]

How the hell was he ever considered a contender? Bummy Davis' account in that post is one-sided, I think because he's gotten in the habit of talking Valdes down ever since a couple of very imaginative and obsessive Marciano-detractors relentlessly argued that Marciano had ducked Valdes and could/would have lost to him because of his imposing size and ability, leading to everyone else pointing out that Valdes had a mediocre record, was never considered a serious threat to Marciano, and was beaten several times by men Marciano's size and smaller who were not nearly as good as he was.

However, although Valdes was inconsistent and had a spotty record, he did have a very impressive win against ex-champ Ezzard Charles followed by a run of nine wins in a row with three over top 10 opponents in 1953-55, so he was quite deservedly considered a contender at the time. And even when he was on the decline, he managed to beat a few decent name opponents like Brian London, Don Cockell, Mike DeJohn, Pat McMurtry, Johnny Summerlin and Joe Erskine.

On balance, Valdes was a good, but clearly not great, contender.

[Bummy Davis]

Bummy Davis' account in that post is one-sided, I think because he's gotten in the habit of talking Valdes down ever since a couple of very imaginative and obsessive Marciano-detractors relentlessly argued that Marciano had ducked Valdes and could/would have lost to him because of his imposing size and ability, leading to everyone else pointing out that Valdes had a mediocre record, was never considered a serious threat to Marciano, and was beaten several times by men Marciano's size and smaller who were not nearly as good as he was.

However, although Valdes was inconsistent and had a spotty record, he did have a very impressive win against ex-champ Ezzard Charles followed by a run of nine wins in a row with three over top 10 opponents in 1953-55, so he was quite deservedly considered a contender at the time. And even when he was on the decline, he managed to beat a few decent name opponents like Brian London, Don Cockell, Mike DeJohn, Pat McMurtry, Johnny Summerlin and Joe Erskine.

On balance, Valdes was a good, but clearly not great, contender.


You are right , I am in the habit of pointing out his weaknesses against the smaller men in the division as a habit VS the undermining posters. He was what he was , a decent contender and would be so today

[Mendoza]

Bummy Davis' account in that post is one-sided, I think because he's gotten in the habit of talking Valdes down ever since a couple of very imaginative and obsessive Marciano-detractors relentlessly argued that Marciano had ducked Valdes and could/would have lost to him because of his imposing size and ability, leading to everyone else pointing out that Valdes had a mediocre record, was never considered a serious threat to Marciano, and was beaten several times by men Marciano's size and smaller who were not nearly as good as he was.

However, although Valdes was inconsistent and had a spotty record, he did have a very impressive win against ex-champ Ezzard Charles followed by a run of nine wins in a row with three over top 10 opponents in 1953-55, so he was quite deservedly considered a contender at the time. And even when he was on the decline, he managed to beat a few decent name opponents like Brian London, Don Cockell, Mike DeJohn, Pat McMurtry, Johnny Summerlin and Joe Erskine.

On balance, Valdes was a good, but clearly not great, contender.

Good show. This is how I see it.

[Muchmoore]

I made a thread about this before this board crashed, and I didn't get too many replies on it, so I just wanna see if anyone else can tell me anything about this guy. I heard the rumors of Marciano's backers supposedly avoiding this guy, but is there anything further anybody can tell me about him? Have any of you seen video footage of any of his fights? Was he skilled? Was he a dangerous opponent? Any information is greatly appreciated.

The only time I've ever even SEEN this guy was when the announcer introduced him to the crowd before the Moore/Marciano fight, he looked pretty damn big.

Valdes was a very big fighter that punched very hard and was durable. He could of gotten a title shot and he was the one guy that Marciano should of fought but didn't. At his best he was a handful.

[Muchmoore]

We can expect SuzieQ any second now.

valdes ko 1. :lol:

[Dempsey1238]

Valdes was a very big fighter that punched very hard and was durable. He could of gotten a title shot and he was the one guy that Marciano should of fought but didn't. At his best he was a handful.

Marciano didnt need Valdes, Valdes lost out on Moore and poor showings in regards to a title shot. Marciano fought the RIGHT guys that earn there title shots outside of Cockell, and the Cockell fight was a test run for that nose.

[Muchmoore]

Marciano didnt need Valdes, Valdes lost out on Moore and poor showings in regards to a title shot. Marciano fought the RIGHT guys that earn there title shots outside of Cockell, and the Cockell fight was a test run for that nose.

I should of said could of fought. I dont think Marciano avoided him, just that he is one of the few contenders that Marciano didn't fight.

[Dempsey1238]

I go with that, unlike say a Jack Dempsey vs Wills, Valdes had himself to blame for missing out on the title shot.

[RAMPAGE0017]

As far as what I heard.... didn't Archie Moore actually earn his title shot at the Rock by beating Nino Valdes? If that's the case, I don't see why he would be accused of ducking him, but I guess any detractor needs something to hold against someone.

[Marciano Frazier]

As far as what I heard.... didn't Archie Moore actually earn his title shot at the Rock by beating Nino Valdes? If that's the case, I don't see why he would be accused of ducking him, but I guess any detractor needs something to hold against someone.
Pretty much.

[SuzieQ49]

i have film of valdez. hes underated, at his peak in shape (204lb) hes a dangerous 6'3 215lb heavyweight contender with a very powerful smooth jab(his best asset)....aggresive hard punching capabalities especially in his right hand, and pretty solid stamina. He did have several weaknessses, some which play right into marcianos strengths. At his best, Nino was a solid dangerous top contender who recorded some very good wins including good ones when he was over the hill.

all in all, against a peak marciano it would have been a hard fought battle but rocky would have most defintley knocked valdez out at some point in the fight, valdez wasnt tough enough mentally to deal with the rocks pressure and pounding.

[ChrisPontius]

i have film of valdez. hes underated, at his peak in shape (204lb) hes a dangerous 6'3 215lb heavyweight contender with a very powerful smooth jab(his best asset)....

At his 204lb peak he's a dangerous 215lb fighter? :huh

[Chaney]

I read from one source that Valdez's loss to Archie Moore was controversial, and that it was Valdez who deserved the title shot. I am not sure if that is true, and even if it is, it is not Rocky's fault.

As a Marciano fan, I am far from a detractor of Rocky...but I wish he would have fought Valdez instead of Cockell. It would have helped to shut up all of the detractors who say Rocky couldn't beat a large, big-punching heavy weight.

Valdez should have had a shot at Rocky (he was #1 contender for a long time), but I am sure the Rock would be too much for him.

[Dempsey1238]

I read from one source that Valdez's loss to Archie Moore was controversial, and that it was Valdez who deserved the title shot. I am not sure if that is true, and even if it is, it is not Rocky's fault.

As a Marciano fan, I am far from a detractor of Rocky...but I wish he would have fought Valdez instead of Cockell. It would have helped to shut up all of the detractors who say Rocky couldn't beat a large, big-punching heavy weight.

Valdez should have had a shot at Rocky (he was #1 contender for a long time), but I am sure the Rock would be too much for him.

First off, he was not the 1 contender for a LONG time. He was flip flopping that ranking with Charles, He got the rank OVER Charles, and drop that Rank in a few poor showings, giving Charles the edge to beat Shatterfiled, and Wallace to regain that number 1 spot. ONLY AFTER the Rock beat Charles 2 times, did Valez regain the number 1 spot.

As for Cockell, that was a test run for the nose. Marciano has beating Walcott, LarSarza, and Charles 2 times, you dont think the Rock at least EARN a easy title defense??

[Chaney]

First off, he was not the 1 contender for a LONG time. He was flip flopping that ranking with Charles, He got the rank OVER Charles, and drop that Rank in a few poor showings, giving Charles the edge to beat Shatterfiled, and Wallace to regain that number 1 spot. ONLY AFTER the Rock beat Charles 2 times, did Valez regain the number 1 spot.

As for Cockell, that was a test run for the nose. Marciano has beating Walcott, LarSarza, and Charles 2 times, you dont think the Rock at least EARN a easy title defense??As I say, I am a Rocky fan, and my motive is not to put Rocky down, but more of a wish that we had more great fights of Rocky to look back on.

I think with only six defenses, it would have been great if a "weak link" like Cockell wasn't taking up a valuable space. I believe that even Rocky couldn't get seriously motivated to prepare for Cockell, and it shows in a very rare unfocused performance from Rocky.

I thought that Valdez was #1 contender for a couple of years in Ring magazine, but am unsure if my memory is 100% here. Sorry if I gave out any incorrect information here.

[john garfield]

It brings a smile seeing Nino Valdez's name here. His mouth full of gold teeth and Max Baer shoulders are images that strike me first.

I trained at Stillman's gym with him. Though I don't speak Spanish, after a time, we hit it off, between gestures and pointing. Always greeted me warmly.

He was a proud guy, took macho seriously -- did everything but pound his chest. If challenged sparring, he took it personally and went to war, though he had the tools to box behind a good shotgun jab, but it ran counter to his nature, which I think was his undoing as a fighter. When he traded, he squared up, and paid for it with too many fighters. So it was more temperment than talent that hurt him.

Had he fought Marciano, I can't imagine him having the discipline to stick with his advantages. The first time he'd get stung, he'd want a pound of flesh -- bad idea!

Years later, I used to see him nights when I passed the Metropole Bar & Grill on Broadway in New York. He was the bouncer, prowling the entrance, making an intimidating figure. He filled out his naturally wide frame with perhaps an additional 100 pounds. His jackets were bursting at the seams. He looked like The Hulk.

I could always count on a bear hug that near broke my ribs.

When people were getting unruly, he just looked in their direction. They cooled it instantly.

[Dempsey1238]

As I say, I am a Rocky fan, and my motive is not to put Rocky down, but more of a wish that we had more great fights of Rocky to look back on.

I think with only six defenses, it would have been great if a "weak link" like Cockell wasn't taking up a valuable space. I believe that even Rocky couldn't get seriously motivated to prepare for Cockell, and it shows in a very rare unfocused performance from Rocky.

I thought that Valdez was #1 contender for a couple of years in Ring magazine, but am unsure if my memory is 100% here. Sorry if I gave out any incorrect information here.

Even one had one weak defense, Dempsey was suppose to have Firpo(Big shock) And sick Miske.

Louis had his share. Holmes of couse MOST of his defenses were pretty weak, Cockell was a better challager than a ten and 0 David Bey of couse.

Why must Rocky get slam for have a breaking in his title defenses. I mean LarSarza, Charles, Walcott, these guys were TOP fighters, higly rank, one would think after dealing with them, he can have a give me title defense. As I said before, the fight was mostly a test run for the nose. They were not going to see Marciano out against Valez or Moore if the nose didnt held up. If it fail apart vs Cockell, Marciano can afford to get away with that, and have even earler thoughts on retirement.

[SuzieQ49]

sorry pontius meant to say hes a dangerous 6'3 200lb + fighter. i always thought he was at his best around 205lb rather than 215lb

[SuzieQ49]

great stuff joe thanx!! didnt you say you once saw valdez vs marciano sparring match? and that marciano got the better of it?




If you read newspaper articles, marciano was in fact scheduled to take on valdez in jan. 2 1956 but back to back losses to bob baker and satterfield ruined all hopes of a match.

[ChrisPontius]

sorry pontius meant to say hes a dangerous 6'3 200lb + fighter. i always thought he was at his best around 205lb rather than 215lb

No problem, and welcome back.

[JohnThomas1]

It brings a smile seeing Nino Valdez's name here. His mouth full of gold teeth and Max Baer shoulders are images that strike me first.

I trained at Stillman's gym with him. Though I don't speak Spanish, after a time, we hit it off, between gestures and pointing. Always greeted me warmly.

He was a proud guy, took macho seriously -- did everything but pound his chest. If challenged sparring, he took it personally and went to war, though he had the tools to box behind a good shotgun jab, but it ran counter to his nature, which I think was his undoing as a fighter. When he traded, he squared up, and paid for it with too many fighters. So it was more temperment than talent that hurt him.

Had he fought Marciano, I can't imagine him having the discipline to stick with his advantages. The first time he'd get stung, he'd want a pound of flesh -- bad idea!

Years later, I used to see him nights when I passed the Metropole Bar & Grill on Broadway in New York. He was the bouncer, prowling the entrance, making an intimidating figure. He filled out his naturally wide frame with perhaps an additional 100 pounds. His jackets were bursting at the seams. He looked like The Hulk.

I could always count on a bear hug that near broke my ribs.

When people were getting unruly, he just looked in their direction. They cooled it instantly.

That's a fantastic read.

[Marciano Frazier]

I read from one source that Valdez's loss to Archie Moore was controversial, and that it was Valdez who deserved the title shot. I am not sure if that is true, and even if it is, it is not Rocky's fault.
Nope.
ARCHIE MOORE NEARS HEAVY TITLE SHOT

(United Press, Tuesday, May 3, 1955)

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Light heavyweight champion
Archie Moore established himself as the top contender
for the world heavyweight crown Monday night by
battering big Nino Valdes of Cuba half blind to win a 15-
round decision.

Referee James Braddock, former heavyweight
champion and sole judge of the bout, favored 38-year-
old Moore on rounds, 8-5-2.

It was an excellent fight in which Moore's superior
speed and snap in his punches beat the tall Cuban,
who had been generally rated top contender for the
heavy title.

The bout was staged before a crowd of 10,800 in
Cashman Field as the sun was setting. A gate of
$102,678 was registered. The twilight fight was the
most important boxing contest ever held in Las Vegas.

Although Moore weighed 196 1/2 pounds, the heaviest
of his career, he appeared much faster than 30-year-old
Valdes, who is somewhat awkward. Valdes packed 209
1/4 pounds on his six-foot-three frame.

There were no knockdowns in this battle between two
good punchers, but the effects of their blows resulted in
Valdes' left eye being swollen tightly shut in the 13th
round.

Moore was bleeding from the nose and lower lip at the
finish and his left eye was swollen -- but he could see
very well.

In the dressing room, Moore said, "Valdes died in the
last three rounds."

Because of his victory over the number-one heavy
contender, Moore will demand a heavy title shot at the
winner of the Rocky Marciano-Don Cockell
championship bout at San Francisco on May 16.

"If I can't get that shot, I'll defend my own title against
Bobo Olson," he said. Despite his 196 1/2 pounds, the
mustachioed battler said he was sure he could pare
down to the 175-pound limit for a defense.

Archie and big Nino engaged in a very rough brawl, and
each dropped several low blows during the slugging.
Accordingly, Referee Braddock penalized each one
round. He took the fifth from Moore and the 11th from
Valdes on fouls.

It was such an excellent bout that many of the fans
thought Valdes had won. Some of them began throwing
cushions into the ring. But announcer Al Schenk, well
known New York comedian, ordered the throwing
stopped "lest you injure someone seriously." And there
was no more cushion-tossing.
___________________________

DESCRIBING THE SCANDAL IN LAS VEGAS

(San Bernardino Sun, Sunday, May 8, 1955)

By Jerry Boyd

The vast difference between operations of professional
golf, which has never been stirred by a breath of
scandal, and professional boxing, which hardly knows
anything else, was never more evident than it was at
Las Vegas last week. In a city where sordid contrasts
are not too unusual, the Tournament of Champions and
the Moore-Valdes fight were staged in separate worlds...


...Then, 24 hours after Gene Littler and Frankie Laine
walked away with the U.S. mint, Archie Moore proved
that he was unquestionably the best heavyweight
fighter in the world next to Rocky Marciano. This was
established when Archie soundly thrashed Nino
Valdes, although a large and very ungentlemanly
portion of the Las Vegas crowd disagreed. I suspect
that the funds they donated to the betting parlors had
something to do with their opinion of the decision,
however.

While the golf tournament was held in an extremely
refined atmosphere, the fight was strictly Main Street
stuff. First there were the cheap shenanigans of Jack
Kearns, who blandly announced that the hotels had put
up enough money for a $50,000 guarantee to each
fighter, which wasn't true. Then he billed it as the "real"
world heavyweight title fight, instead of what it was --
the outstanding contender's bout since Joe Louis met
Max Baer 20 years ago. Finally, he announced the
official attendance as 10,800 and the gate at $102,000.

Well, if he was seeing double, Kearns might have seen
10,000 people in that park. I was there, wearing my
glasses, too, and if there were more than 7,000 in
attendance, they must have been hiding under the
seats. They couldn't have cleared a hundred grand if
they had put the entire take on a crap table and doubled
it.

Fight "headquarters" consisted of a shabby room on a
side street in downtown Las Vegas. Here the weighin
was condcuted, and do you know what they used for
scales? They borrowed an old contraption from a
grocery store, the kind that is used to weigh vegetables.
It served the purpose, and I suppose it gave honest
weight. But it was just one more indication of the
haphazard way the promotion was run...

...Fortunately for those who paid their way in the fight was
infinitely better than the elements surrounding it. It
seemed almost weird to be watching a fight right out in
the broad daylight, like it was in the old days, but it was
an enjoyable experience.

Moore, a little slower at 196 1/2 than he has been, has
tremendous power in his big, thick arms. Valdes is a fair
boxer with a good left jab and a strong right when he
wants to use it. He caught Moore with an overhead right
that buckled Archie's knees in the third round, but
Moore countered with a vicious left hook that almost
floored the big Cuban. Valdes seldom used his right
after that.

I scored the fight exactly as did Jimmy Braddock,
referee and sole judge -- eight for Moore, five for Valdes
and two even. Braddock took away a round from each
for low blows, but most observers thought Moore
shouold have been penalized two rounds, at least.

Valdes could have won with a strong finish. The 12th
round was his best, and he appeared to be getting
stronger while Moore looked tired, winded and groggy. I
thought old age had finally caught up with Archie. He
surprised everyone by turning on the steam in the final
three and won going away.

At 38, Moore is an even more remarkable physical
specimen than was Jersey Joe Walcott, who held the
heavyweight title at the same age. Moore was flabby
and fat, but he has great endurance. I don't think Bobo
Olson can take him, although Marciano should be able
to if and when Archie ever gets a crack at the
heavyweight title.


As a Marciano fan, I am far from a detractor of Rocky...but I wish he would have fought Valdez instead of Cockell. It would have helped to shut up all of the detractors who say Rocky couldn't beat a large, big-punching heavy weight.

Valdez should have had a shot at Rocky (he was #1 contender for a long time), but I am sure the Rock would be too much for him.
Not really. Valdes wasn't the #1 contender at the time of any of Marciano's title defenses aside from Cockell. Griping about one defense like that is unreasonable; all of Marciano's other title defenses were against the current #1 contender, and Cockell was still a legitimate top five-ranked opponent. There has never been a heavyweight champion who fought the best available competition as consistently as Marciano did in his title defenses.


I thought that Valdez was #1 contender for a couple of years in Ring magazine, but am unsure if my memory is 100% here. Sorry if I gave out any incorrect information here.
Revolver-spawned propaganda aside, Valdes was only ranked #1 by the RING, the NBA, etc. for two periods of a few months, not two full years.

Ezzard Charles Top Heavyweight On Challenger List
Nino Valdes Drops To Third After Poor Showing

Associated Press, March 3, 1954

Valdes gained the #1 position for a period of about 3-4 months at the end of 1953 after beating Charles and then stringing together several more solid wins, but dropped down to #3 in early 1954 after a disputed split decision against the unheralded journeyman Archie McBride, while Charles regained his perch at the head of the contender list with his back-to-back knockouts of Wallace and Satterfield. By the end of '54, once Charles had lost to Marciano twice and Valdes had come back with a couple more noteworthy wins, especially the blow-out of Jackson, Valdes had regained the #1 spot, but Marciano was out of action at the time due to his rather severe nose injury, and his management wanted to give him a relatively safe opponent for his first fight back, as a test run for the nose so that he could probably win even if something went wrong. After the Cockell fight, Valdes would have had his title shot had he not lost to Moore, who superceded him for the #1 position. Even then, Valdes was still in line for a title shot at Marciano in early 1956 after the Moore fight, but spoiled the deal by losing to Satterfield.

[ron u.k.]

well in fairness cockell got his shot by beating la starza in rolands 1st fight after his title challenge against marciano.whatever people think of his credibility as a challenger has there ever been a braver challenge?the rock wasn't particularily fussy what he hit him with. the guy was brutalized in there.

[OLD FOGEY]

well in fairness cockell got his shot by beating la starza in rolands 1st fight after his title challenge against marciano.whatever people think of his credibility as a challenger has there ever been a braver challenge?the rock wasn't particularily fussy what he hit him with. the guy was brutalized in there.

Cockell actually had gone longer without losing than any of the other contenders, had beaten LaStarza, Matthews, and Williams, all rated contenders, and had risen to the #2 contender position. He was not a tomato-can pulled out of nowhere. He was a decent contender, just not as good as Moore and Valdes.

[Mendoza]

Why did Marciano give Charles two title shots in 1954, after Charles was beaten by a hot Valdes in 1953? I think Vlades should have be given one of those title shots.

[SuzieQ49]

Well you see Charles was pretty hot himself. Valdez on the other hand lost 4 times in 1953, then got one upset win over charles. After Valdez squeeked out a horrendous split decision over the obscure archie mcbride, he lost his # 1 ranking to charles, and charles knocked out two solid ranked contenders bob satterfield and coley wallace. Charles was # 1 at the time of june 1954, valdez was # 2. check monthly ring magazine rankings. Another issue that should be brought up, because charles gave so many title shots to vastly underserving IBC controlled fighters during his reign, Jim norris promised charles that he would pay him back for all the good work he did as a champion and promised him a shot at marciano if he beat satterfield and wallace.


Finally, charles put up the fight of his life june 1954, 15 gruelling rounds. Marciano wanted a rematch to prove he was superior to charles and that he could knock him out(something he failed to do the first time)



Marciano valdez was scheduled for jan. 2 1956, but elimination losses to bob baker ruined that bout. shortly after valdez lost to satterfield thus eliminating any possiblitlity of a marciano-valdez bout.

moore-valdez was a final title eliminater....valdez lost and moore got the shot instead.




Valdez might have given marciano a few problems, but no doubt by the 7th-8th round valdez would have been battered and beaten into submission.

[Dempsey1238]

Why did Marciano give Charles two title shots in 1954, after Charles was beaten by a hot Valdes in 1953? I think Vlades should have be given one of those title shots.

Because the first fight was great, so they clamor for a rematch. Had Marciano ko Charles in a few rounds the FIRST time, Vlades would have goting his shot. Than the cut nose put the Rock out of action.

[Mendoza]

Because the first fight was great, so they clamor for a rematch. Had Marciano ko Charles in a few rounds the FIRST time, Vlades would have goting his shot. Than the cut nose put the Rock out of action.

And why not Valdes over Cockell? It seems like Marciano did not go out of his way to give Valdes a shot.

[Dempsey1238]

They first needed to test the nose for it to see if it held up to a Cockell type of puncher first, Color film of Marciano in his later years still shows the scar.

[Chaney]

Even one had one weak defense, Dempsey was suppose to have Firpo(Big shock) And sick Miske.

Louis had his share. Holmes of couse MOST of his defenses were pretty weak, Cockell was a better challager than a ten and 0 David Bey of couse.

Why must Rocky get slam for have a breaking in his title defenses. I mean LarSarza, Charles, Walcott, these guys were TOP fighters, higly rank, one would think after dealing with them, he can have a give me title defense. As I said before, the fight was mostly a test run for the nose. They were not going to see Marciano out against Valez or Moore if the nose didnt held up. If it fail apart vs Cockell, Marciano can afford to get away with that, and have even earler thoughts on retirement.I don't mean to criticise (let alone 'slam'!) Rocky. I am just greedy for more classic Marciano fights!

You are absolutely right that most champs take an easier defense now and then...and Rocky did it far less than most; and his management had reason to be cautious with his nose injury.

Some great information on this thread. Thanks to Marciano Frazier for posting the reports of the Moore vs Valdez fight. I had wanted more opinions on this bout for a while.

Mr Garfield's recollections are priceless as always.