Why didn't Rocky Marciano fight?

Question

Cleveland Williams

Sonny Liston

Floyd Patterson

Ingemar Johanson

rather than a 40 year old Archie Moore and Don Cockell? All of these boxers were around then.

Answer 1

As far as Patterson goes, Cus D'Amato was VERY particular about who his future "world's youngest heavyweight champion" would fight.  He was against most promoters, was quite timid, and really wasn't big enough to compete with truly heavy-handed heavies.  

That being said, and I love Patterson. . .. . Rocky would have killed him. . . . .but then again, Patterson only got his title shot (against Archie Moore in "vacant" title match) AFTER Rocky retired, so I can't really see a scenario where these two WOULD have fought.  

Liston, too. . . .his best years were even after Patterson won the title.  His best stuff was beating on Patterson, knocking him out in one round.  Liston was still "up and coming" during Rocky's best days.  That would have been a great matchup, though.  

Cleveland Williams came into notoriety during Clay's tenure, so that's pretty much out of the question.

Ingo's best stuff was against Floyd, well after Rocky retired.  

***So yeah, these guys were AROUND. . .but they were still a bit green during Marciano's best times.

Answer 2

I am not sure about Sonny Liston but glass chin Floyd and Ingemar wouldn't survive against Rocky.

Answer 3

Once again these Rocky fans try to make excuses for an over-rated fighter, yeah I'm a fan of Rocky too, but I will not lie for him........................................

All of those answers about how all of the fighters you named were too green or inexperienced to fight Rocky are..............

To put it plain BULL S**t !..........................................

IF they were so green and inexperienced that should have made it that much easier for Rocky to beat them!.....................

Instead Marciano DUCKED them all because they were young, strong and hungry, that includes Patterson.  And Liston, Please, Liston would have Knocked Marciano's Head CLEAN OFF!

Answer 4

Excellent question sir.  When Marciano fought Moore in his last fight before retiring, Moore was actually the #1 ranked contender having beaten Nino Valdez who was highly ranked and former #1 contender Bob Baker. So Ol' Archie was the most deserving and best fighter at that time to take on Rocky despite his age which he seemed to defy time and time again.  As far as the fighters you have mentioned here, Cleveland Williams had only 17 pro fights up to that point.  Sonny Liston who began his career in 1953 had only 13 career fights to that point.  Floyd Patterson was actually a ranked light heavyweight contender with 25 pro fights with no interest whatsoever in fighting Marciano.  Ingemar Johansson had only 12 career fights to that point.  So the fact of the matter is that none of these fighters were experienced enough to take on Marciano at that stage of their career.

Zora Folley also had only 22 career fights in his 3 years or so of fighting to that point and nowhere ready for Marciano.  If Marciano had of stayed around about 2-3 years he may very well have fought a few of these guys.