Marciano had a well planned career, great match ups, avoided fleet footed black fighters and beat a handful of past their prime heavyweights and retired before the likes of Floyd Patterson came onto the scene.
Marciano had a lot of pressure on his shoulders, he was the white Italian face of America, even the government had interest in making sure he did not lose. It was rummered that he was pressured into retirement by higher ups so Americas poster boy did not lose.
So whats the truth? Truth is he was a big puncher with great stamina and a pretty decent chin, his chin was not ironclad as some would have you believe, he was rocked and floored by fairly light punchers. He was out boxed on several occasions but his tenacity kept him coming forward and swinging until the legs of his older opponents ran dry and get got their chin.
He was the best of his time but it was pretty lack luster time, like the run of Tyson in the 80's, good fighters not great fighters, part time boxers and tough men. The greats there were around were past their primes.
Marciano was fun to watch, great guy but vastly over exaggerated.
RAY - Ive heard and read the same thing about him ducking Patterson and it seems likely he did, a fast handed young black heavyweight was a big threat, however if they knew about his chin and heart they may have taken the fight. I think Marciano would eventually catch Patterson.
Rocky Marciano overcame the greats of the era (Joe Louis in decline but still in good condition), Ezzard Charles, J.Walcott, experienced boxers, retiring undefeated, I refuse not to fight with anyone
Remember, Rocky Marciano hit like a mule and fit hits like a wall of granite resists hammer, if he had been competing in the current was very bad had happened Tyson, Holyfield, Lewis and company
Some say he dodged Floyd Patterson but Patterson was a natural lightheavyweight who never beat a great heavyweight [unlike Marciano who has Charles, Walcott & undefeated Lastarza in his record]. Few believe Pattersons glass jaw would survive a fight with Rocky
In 1955, somehow journeyman Nino Valdes became n.1 contender with an 11-fight winning streak (against 10 bums plus Ezzard Charles who took him lightly).
Valdes was lured into a fight by Archie Moore first, though. Moore of course easily schooled him. Valdes retired aged 35 with a record of 48-18. Not a duck.
IMO, no, but all his opponents were either retired, coming back to make money (Taxes) as in 37 year old Joe Louis who was a shell of himself. 38 year old veteran champ, Jersey "Joe" Walcott. Light heavy practically, Ezzard Charles, were the only really viable opponents for Marciano. He only had 6 title defenses against this crop of old, has beens, IMO.
was rocky just that beast?... NO
was there no good prime fighters out there? there were, he just didnt fought them...
did he duck some people?...he ducked the primes and beat the out of primes
Fought a weak era, out of prime guys.
His mother and father ducked conceiving and giving birth to him in a more difficult era for heavyweights! I think his career is very similar to Floyd's. A stage managed career and a name built primarily on faded legends.
he duck sonny liston
I'm not too educated on the heavyweights back then. I know he was undefeated but almost always great fighters eventually met their match, was Rocky just that beast. Or was their no good prime fighters out there or did he duck some people
