How Formidable Would Marciano Be...

[Russell]

As a modern day Cruiserweight?

Would he be completely unbeatable? Damned near it?

How about at the old limit of 190 pounds?

[JAB5239]

Surely he would be just as strong as most of todays cruisers. He would hit harder. Better workrate. No stamina issues. Without a doubt he would be a champion, and a dominant one at that.

[Russell]

Who could compete with him? Anyone?

[heerko koois]

Haye could i think....don,t forget that Marciano cut easily...

[ChrisPontius]

Although he wasn't unbeatable (no one is), he certainly was unbeaten back then in the open heavyweight division. I don't see any cruiserweight in the history of that division beating him, including Haye (his chin/stamina will let him down) and Holyfield (loses a close decision, both battered).

In fact, i wouldn't favor any sub 200lb'er in the history of gloved boxing against Marciano.

[RoccoMarciano]

In fact, i wouldn't favor any sub 200lb'er in the history of gloved boxing against Marciano.

I wouldn't either.

[mr. magoo]

Difficult question to answer. Although Marciano fought at a weight that would make him a cruiser over the last 20+ years or so, he did manage to beat some guys who exceeded the 200 Lb limit, and some of them were elite. This is not to say that its impossible for another 185 pounder to beat him, but the problem with the modern day cruiserweight division, is that its too transient, and most of its best fighters don't stay there very long. Had Evander Holyfield remained a cruiserweight through out his whole career, he might have established a legacy there strong enough to make a case for him beating Marciano. As it stands however, he vacated the weight class with only 17 or 18 bouts. I'm not sure that I can pick an 18-0 Holyfield to beat Rocky Marciano, and a similar case could be made for David Haye.

[The Kurgan]

Too small and too crude. Modern boxers are more athletic, bigger, and more skilled. He might be a decent journeyman in the Nebraskan cruiserweight scene, but how could a 175 lb Marciano beat a 240 lb Haye?

[mr. magoo]

Too small and too crude. Modern boxers are more athletic, bigger, and more skilled. He might be a decent journeyman in the Nebraskan cruiserweight scene, but how could a 175 lb Marciano beat a 240 lb Haye?

Good one Kurgan:lol: :good

[Seamus]

Too small and too crude. Modern boxers are more athletic, bigger, and more skilled. He might be a decent journeyman in the Nebraskan cruiserweight scene, but how could a 175 lb Marciano beat a 240 lb Haye?

I have not seen any sub-200 pounder with the power and stamina (two highly important athletic attributes) of Marciano. Thus, Marciano is the most "athletic" 190 lb'er I have ever witnessed on film.

But then, I guess you are just baiting such responses.

[mr. magoo]

I have not seen any sub-200 pounder with the power and stamina (two highly important athletic attributes) of Marciano. Thus, Marciano is the most "athletic" 190 lb'er I have ever witnessed on film.

But then, I guess you are just baiting such responses.

He was joking......

[PATRICKBOXING]

he would defitnely be the best hayes chin would let him down against one of the hardest hitting fighters ever also he got a load of heart and stanima more than other cruisers:yep

[Russell]

he would defitnely be the best hayes chin would let him down against one of the hardest hitting fighters ever also he got a load of heart and stanima more than other cruisers:yep

Yeah... "Haye's chin is bad" is a bullshit myth.

His chin looked damned good against Thompson, all the flush shots he took.

He gassed, pure and simple.

[China_hand_Joe]

Marciano was hurt by fighters who would have fought at CW. He wouldn't be the invincible machine some people are picturing.

[janitor]

Puting Marciano in against cruiserweights would be cruelty to children.

The cruiserweight division would be an insult to him as it was to Hollyfield.

[Sonny's jab]

For those of us who saw Carl Thompson soak up Haye's early onslaught and come back to knock him out, it's hard to imagine Marciano being in any real danger against even a more seasoned and accomplished Haye.

[SuzieQ49]

he did manage to beat some guys who exceeded the 200 Lb limit, and some of them were elite

Only one who was elite, 6'2 214lb Joe Louis. I as a boxing fan of that era would have liked to see the valdez and baker fights vs marciano happen. The valdez fight nearly came off scheduled to take place Miami in 55-56, but Valdez screwed himself over with multiple losses. A title fight vs Valdez in Miami would have been a beatiful fight to witness and a beatiful scene. God Al Weill was good at matchmaking.

[Irish Steel]

Although he wasn't unbeatable (no one is), he certainly was unbeaten back then in the open heavyweight division. I don't see any cruiserweight in the history of that division beating him, including Haye (his chin/stamina will let him down) and Holyfield (loses a close decision, both battered).

In fact, i wouldn't favor any sub 200lb'er in the history of gloved boxing against Marciano.

Good post. THe closest I can see to him being beaten is Holyfield. ANd that is a reeeeal close fight.

[Russell]

If light heavy punchers could down Marciano, no one thinks cruiserweight bangers could even bother him?

[ChrisPontius]

Puting Marciano in against cruiserweights would be cruelty to children.

The cruiserweight division would be an insult to him as it was to Hollyfield.

Holyfield had an unfortunate minority complex and it costed him the first fight with Bowe. The division being called "Junior heavyweight" back then probably didn't help either. :lol:

[Chaney]

In fact, i wouldn't favor any sub 200lb'er in the history of gloved boxing against Marciano.I think that Jack Dempsey would give Rocky the fight of his life. Sam Langford would be a handful, too.

Otherwise, I agree with you!

[McGrain]

Langford, Louis, Dempsey & Hollyfield are all decent picks against Rocky at 200lbs.

[Mendoza]

As a modern day Cruiserweight?

Would he be completely unbeatable? Damned near it?

How about at the old limit of 190 pounds?

The modern cruiserweight division has been producing some quality fighters as of late. You’d have to assume Marciano power ad work rate would be too much for most cruiser weights, but I do think a few modern cruiser weights could give Marciano a an honest nights work.



The limitation from 15 rounds to 12, and increase in glove weight and quicker stoppages from cuts would not work in Rocky’s favor.

[SuzieQ49]

If light heavy punchers could down Marciano, no one thinks cruiserweight bangers could even bother him?

Jersey Joe Walcott was a full fledged natural HEAVYWEIGHT, who was also on the Rings top 100 punchers of all time list, # 66.


Archie Moore may have been a light-H but he had heavyweight power. He beat big powerful skilled heavyweights like nino valdez 2x and bob baker. Moore landed his best punch on rock, only put him down for a flash kd. Moore is # 4 on the all times rings top 100 punchers list, and he is the HISTORY'S ALL TIME KNOCKOUT KING. no shame getting floored by moore. Tiger Ted Lowry who fought all the big powerful 1940s heavyweights and marciano twice, called archie moore the hardest puncher he ever faced.

[McGrain]

Jersey Joe Walcott was a full fledged natural HEAVYWEIGHT, who was also on the Rings top 100 punchers of all time list, # 66.

...well he weighed inside the CW limit is the point, I think, what was he, about 197?

That Ring list is awful. Jersey could punch though, no question about that. However, lot's of CW's could punch.


Archie Moore may have been a light-H but he had heavyweight power. He beat big powerful skilled heavyweights like nino valdez 2x and bob baker. Moore landed his best punch on rock, only put him down for a flash kd. Moore is # 4 on the all times rings top 100 punchers list, and he is the HISTORY'S ALL TIME KNOCKOUT KING. no shame getting floored by moore. Tiger Ted Lowry who fought all the big powerful 1940s heavyweights and marciano twice, called archie moore the hardest puncher he ever faced.

No shame getting floored by Moore is right. It's unlikely a fighter exsits that he would be literally incapable of flooring.