Sir, this truly would have been a dream fight between two of the best swarmers of all time in boxing. Many people question Rocky Marciano's resume. They say that the best fighters that he fought were passed their primes. That is true for some of them, such as Joe Louis and Archie Moore. However Jersey Joe Walcott was the Heavyweight champion of the world, so even if it was the end of his career, he was still the champion to beat. It was also the Fight of the Year, which shows that he could still compete with Marciano, and he was still a worthy opponent. Ezzard Charles was coming of off many knockout wins, and also put up a Fight of the Year, showing that he could compete, and was also a worthy opponent.
If Joe Frazier and Rocky Marciano switched eras, with Frazier being in the 1950's, I believe he had a great chance to be undefeated like Marciano was. If Rocky Marciano was in the 1960's to 1970's however, it would be way tough to compete with the Heavyweights of the golden era. I think Marciano would have fell short to Ali, Liston, and Foreman, but could have beaten guys like Patterson, Norton, Shavers, and the best contenders as well.
I believe in chin, work rate, heart, and toughness they are about equal. Marciano has the stamina edge, being one of the best conditioned Heavyweights ever. You pretty much summed up the rest of the analysis, so here it goes.
The fight
It will be pretty close the whole fight. Both men doing what they do best, which is swarming. In the late rounds, Marciano will begin to outwork Frazier. In a blood and guts war, both men don't give up. They are both constantly attacking, but Marciano never gets tired. In the fifteenth and final round of the fight, Marciano will stop Frazier.
It'd be non-stop brawling from the opening to the final bell. Each one would score a knockdown or two but would both finish the fight owing to their toughness and incredible fighting heart. Yeah, I think it'd be a DRAW.
joe frazier vs marciano is prolly the biggest toss up ever.
draw
Joe Frazier Won: 32(KO27) Loss: 4(3KO) Draw:1
Height: 5'11
Weight: 207lbs
Reach: 73"
Noteable wins: Ali, Chuvalo, Quarry, Mathis, Bugner, Bonavena, Machen, Foster (fighters In there prime)
Rocky Marciano: Won: 49(KO43) Loss: 0
Height: 5'10
Weight: 185lbs
Reach: 67"
Noteable wins: Cockell, Charles, LaStarza, Mathews, Reynolds, Savold, Layne (fighters In there prime)
Power: Marciano
Reach: Frazier 6"
Weight: Frazier 21lbs
Skills: Frazier
Defense: No advantage
Reflexes: Frazier
Staminia: No advantage
Both fighter's are known for their will to fight and are very tough. Frazier fought during the folden era of boxing which Is arguably the toughest era, his biggest win was against Ali. Joe was known for his relentless punches and his bobbing and weaving style wearing opponents down. One thing people don't talk about Is that Frazier defeated everybody he ever faced except Foreman! In an Interview Joe said he could beat Marciano. Rocky unfortunatley fought In one of the weakest era's of boxing and because of that he really hasn't been tested, but one must ask themselve's If Frazier fought In Marciano's time would he have been undefeated also and Inturn could Rocky stand the ferocious power of Foreman or the lightening speed of Ali? Could Marciano go undeafeated I. The 70's? Who did the Rock beat that Frazier couldn't? The Brockton Blockbuster's toughest fight was against a 38y/o Walcott a fight Marciano was loosing until he landed that beautiful right and knocked Walcott out. We ask ourselves how would Frazier have handled Walcott. Rocky wasn't that accurate of a puncher but If he hit you you would definatley feel It ask Ali. The biggest name Marciano had on his resume that was In his prime was Charles, but Marciano never fought a +200lbs top noch contender like Frazier did, his title fights consist of men who were a little over 34 years of age. If these two would have would have faced eachother at the peak of their career who do you think would have won?
