of their primes. Talk about a straight ahead guy whose reach wasn't close to Ali's and whose looping right hands would have had no chance to hit Ali. Meanwhile Ali would have peppered him with jabs and opened his face up.
I grew up a big boxing fan. Used to know the exchange of every heavyweight title bout from Sullivan through Tyson.
Rounds, scores, locations. Used to watch tons of old film, then tape etc.
For the longest time used to always think, Ali pre Frazier era would beat the Rock on points or cut him up, and afterward The Rock would win.
When they had the circus computer fight, Ali didn't really train well, and Marciano struggled to lose weight to look like a weak shell of what he used to be.
But I recall talking to people around Ali and reading his own comments on how his arms hurt so badly from Marciano hitting them. The Rock comments on Ali's speed being the fastest he had seen.
My opinion took a different turn, thinking if Ali was focused on winning ie Second Frazier fight Rocky would have his hands full ... BUT if he approached it like Frazier I's mindset .. I can see the Rock knocking him out, and early.
BECAUSE IF Henry Cooper could knock him out, Rocky would be able to catch Ali. (Cooper did knick him out, but Ali' corner did the ole glove split thing.)
ALSO if Ernie Shaver, and others could tag Ali, So could Rocky. The arm woes would as noted above with an in-shape Rocky would also ruin the rope a dope technique.
I now think Rocky in round 7 by KO. Rocky's drive to win was greater than Ali's IMHO. In a rematch Ali would be spot on, but would not be shocked to see a replay of the Walcott Marciano 13th round KO ending with Ali up on points.
I deeply respect Ali's knowledge of boxing and his honesty
and humility in showing his respect for Marciano's ability. I think it would be the best fight of either boxer's career. But, in his prime, Ali's combination of quickness and reach would prevent Marciano from doing too much damage. I think the fight would go the distance and Ali would win on points.
RE: I deeply respect Ali's knowledge of boxing and his honesty
and humility in showing his respect for Marciano's ability. I think it would be the best fight of either boxer's career. But, in his prime, Ali's combination of quickness and reach would prevent Marciano from doing too much damage. I think the fight would go the distance and Ali would win on points.
I really don't think it would be as good as the Ali-Frazier fights. Frazier was amazing in his ability to get inside on Ali and could hit like a brick, just like Marciano. I'm not sure any heavyweight fight could be better than the Thrilla in Manila.
Rocky M is more of a Joe Frazier type with more power and grit..while Rocky was only about a buck 85 and Ali about 220 in their prime, remember Rocky banged a lot of bigger guys and knew how to get inside and bang....it would take Ali a few rounds to figure out Rocky's style while being attacked full force. With that said it's hard to compare fighters of different era's...but if I had to, I'd say early rounds Rocky middle rounds Ali and flip a coin in the final championship rounds (rounds 11 and 12) I would say Rocky beats a young Ali and of course an old one...but loses to an Ali in his prime.
Link - ( New Window )
Rounds, scores, locations. Used to watch tons of old film, then tape etc.
For the longest time used to always think, Ali pre Frazier era would beat the Rock on points or cut him up, and afterward The Rock would win.
When they had the circus computer fight, Ali didn't really train well, and Marciano struggled to lose weight to look like a weak shell of what he used to be.
But I recall talking to people around Ali and reading his own comments on how his arms hurt so badly from Marciano hitting them. The Rock comments on Ali's speed being the fastest he had seen.
My opinion took a different turn, thinking if Ali was focused on winning ie Second Frazier fight Rocky would have his hands full ... BUT if he approached it like Frazier I's mindset .. I can see the Rock knocking him out, and early.
BECAUSE IF Henry Cooper could knock him out, Rocky would be able to catch Ali. (Cooper did knick him out, but Ali' corner did the ole glove split thing.)
ALSO if Ernie Shaver, and others could tag Ali, So could Rocky. The arm woes would as noted above with an in-shape Rocky would also ruin the rope a dope technique.
I now think Rocky in round 7 by KO. Rocky's drive to win was greater than Ali's IMHO. In a rematch Ali would be spot on, but would not be shocked to see a replay of the Walcott Marciano 13th round KO ending with Ali up on points.
I really don't think it would be as good as the Ali-Frazier fights. Frazier was amazing in his ability to get inside on Ali and could hit like a brick, just like Marciano. I'm not sure any heavyweight fight could be better than the Thrilla in Manila.
Ali vs Rocky - ( New Window )
Marciano was a hero to Angelo.
Sorry...I think both were great but sometimes it's just physics