What wouldve become of Rocky Marciano if he was in Boxing either 10 years earlier or later than he was?

Question

His career spanned from 3/17/1947- 9/21/1955 in actuality. We'll presume he fought the exact same career length, and kept the same weight (never over 192).

So it would have been from 3/17/1937-9/21/1945 if he was born 10 years earlier. James J. Braddock was the Champion for the first 3 months of this time. Since Marciano would not get a title shot that fast, we'll just say it was all Joe Louis as Champion. How would he have done against the Top 10 contenders of the era also? In the end, what would you guestimate his record to be?

Or if he was later it would be 3/17/1957-9/21/1965 if he was born 10 years younger. The Champions here are Floyd Patterson until June 1959. Ingemar Johansson for one year. Floyd Patterson until September 1962. Sonny Liston until February 1964. All Ali after that. How would he have done against the Top 10 contenders of the era also? In the end, what would you guestimate his record to be?

Answer 1

10 years earlier his legend would be greater.

10 years later he would be much less highly regarded.

I think he would have beaten Walcott, Charles, etc. at any point, but Patterson and Liston would have had a great chance at beating him.

Answer 2

It's hard to say just how good Rocky would have been in either of those time frames.  He would have had a severe test against Joe Louis especially earlier in his career but may have beaten him about the time he was nearly getting beat by Billy Conn.  He would have beaten Tommy Farr, Arturo Goday, Nathan Mann, Tony Galento, Bob Pastor, Max Schmeling, Billy Conn, Abe Simon, Lou Nova, Buddy Baer etc rather easily much the way Joe usually did and probably would have ko'ed most of them if not all.  During the other time frame of 57-65 he would have beaten Patterson, Johansson, Tommy Jackson, Brian London, Roy Harris, Tom McNeeley with ease and mostly by knockout.  He may have had some tough fights with Zora Folley and Eddie Machen but I still believe he was far greater than either of those too.  Sonny Liston possibly may have been the only man that could have beaten him but he would have had to bring his lunch with him because Rocky was like a pit bull and was not easy to kayo like Patterson.  May have lost to Ali because of his speed and footwork possibly but Rocky would have given him a fight too because of his tenacity and stamina.  He possibly would have lost a fight or two and been maybe 47-2 either way but I wouldn't ever bet against the Rock to lose anytime.

Answer 3

I think Rock would have had trouble with a young Joe Louis, in his prime I just don't see Louis losing to Rocky.  Same holds true with Ali, if Ali could take Liston, Forman, Frazier and Norton's power, he most likely could have taken Rocky's as well.

I think Rocky would have much had a much better time with the contenders during the Louis era than against the guys Ali fought.  With all due respect to the Marciano fans, Liston, Forman and Holmes would have given Rock loads of trouble.

What ever Rock's record during the two time frames, without a doubt, he wouldn't have been undefeated.  Louis would have beaten him and he would have had several losses during Ali's era.  Rocky would have still been reconized as an all time great, but the O would have to go against all that talent Ali faced.

Answer 4

This is a very good question, I think that Rocky would have been able to be very dominant if he had fought ten years earlier, he could have easily beaten braddock and a lot of the guys then, the only loss he would get would be from Joe Louis, louis was much stronger and faster then and would have been able to handle marciano's brawling style of boxing after a few rounds, Baer would have been an interesting opponent because he shared a lot of similarities with Marciano, they were both very hard hitters and they both fought ferociously however Rocky was much faster and had a better chin than Baer and would have probably won by knock out before the end of the sixth round.

If he had been born 10 years later then things would be a little different, he would easily KO Patterson and Johansson and a lot of the guys that fought early in that time period, personally i think he would have given liston a h**l of a fight and i think this fight could go either way, he would have given Ali problems early on in the fight but Ali's footwork,speed and reflexes would make it very hard for marciano to get a clean shot,moreover Ali's chin was just as tough as Rocky's so i think Ali would have beaten him by decision (I don't think Ali would knock him out completely Rocky was tough as nails)

against Foreman, Marciano would loose, it would be a bloody slugfest but I really doubt that Marciano could trade punches with Foreman continuosly (I don't think any living being can)

against frazier it could go either way, they both had a lot of heart although Marciano had power in both hands whereas Frazier relied heavily on his left hook to end his fights, frazier's style could have given Marciano a lot of problems and Marciano's power and chin would make it very difficult for Frazier to win early on.

i think he could handle the rest of the contenders, (Norton and the others) they were all tough guys but Rocky was just as tough.

conclusion

In the Joe Louis era he would be 48-1-0

in the Ali era he would probably be 45-3-1 ( i think he would get a draw with either frazier or liston....yes liston had power,but so did Marciano)

Answer 5

10 years earlier, joe louis would've beaten him.

10 years later, ali  would've beaten him.

otherwise he would've done alright.

Answer 6

he would be number 1

Answer 7

10 years earlier: He would not be undefeated, as Louis would be able to get the best of him, but i think he could beat anyone else, and thus his legend would be greater because he would have a great record and be the 2nd best fighter in a more competitive time

10 years later: Marciano would run into trouble. If he were to fight    Sonny Liston, he would be crushed by his power. Ali was the master of the ring, and i do not see Marciano beating him either. Basically, Marciano would have been a pretty average fighter, who would lose to ali, liston, foreman, frazier, and have good fights, but probably still lose to Floyd Patterson.

Answer 8

Interesting...but ya know what??-no change.

Answer 9

Earlier he would have to fight against a prime Joe Louis and later he has to fight against Sonny Liston. Both are great fights.

Answer 10

He would have lost a few fights.  During his reign, the competition wasn't as fierce (and he still got knocked out a few times despite winning).

Sonny Liston would have easily destroyed him with his incredible power and reach.

Answer 11

If he came around 10 years earlier, he beats everyone but Louis. Louis would still have a tough time with Rocky, because Joe never liked to be crowded. Still, Joe was faster and had far more stamina when he was younger. He was also much harder to hit. In his prime, Joe beats Marciano in a tough decision.

If Rocky came around ten years later, he loses to Ali, Liston, Foreman, Cleveland Williams and probably Frazier too. He beats the smaller guys like Quarry and Patterson, out toughs the brawlers like Bonavena and Chuvalo and wears down the less skilled boxers like Johannson, Folley, Mathis and Jimmy Ellis. I love the Rock, and he'd be competitive in the Ali era, but he would be too small and too slow to be champ.