There is nothing wrong with asking this question, as historically, there have been many fights between weight classes as well as sparring, and often the smaller man comes out on top due to speed.
Moreover, Mayweather is a superior technician to Marciano. He has hand speed, defence, combinations and body movement, all in spades. He certainly could challenge anyone in history is his weight class, and few would better him.
Marciano has a reputation for being a crude slugger with no speed or finesse. This would seem to favour Mayweather.
However, and unfortunately for Mayweather in this hypothetical match, this is not quite true.
If it were so, then he would never have touched the experienced, more skilful and very awkward Archie Moore. But, for all his talent and skill, Moore could not stay out of Marciano's way. As Moore said in suprise, "he was like fighting a windmill".
The fact is that Marciano was a very unusual boxer.
He was always in top physical condition. He worked out 365 days a year, which is just unheard of.....so, unlike everyone else, he never tired out.
Marciano threw punches whether there was an opening or not. He did not wait for opportunities, nor care if he hit people while they were in a successful defensive posture. He just threw endless punches. And when these punches hit, anywhere, they hurt. A lot.
He threw every punch like his life depended on it. Again, his conditioning meant he did not need to conserve energy.
Marciano fought from an unusual posture too...that of a crouch.
What might all this mean for Mayweather?
Trouble.
Marciano would be hard to hit. The crouch would cause Mayweather to punch down to reach him. This puts Mayweather in a position to be hit by an overhand right or an uppercut, and Marciano could throw these punches....like no one else.
Marciano would not tire out. He would pursue, endlessly. That is intimidating.
And, Mayweather's great defence would be of little benefit. Marciano would simply hit his arms and shoulders. He put heavyweights in hospital just with this strategy.
Marciano threw bombs. As good as Mayweather is, Marciano would introduce him, sooner or later, to Suzie-Q.
And, much to his surprise, it would quickly be lights out for Mayweather.
They wouldn't even be close to each others weight. Rocky Marciano would wreck Mayweather in his prime though.
Marc im gonna give an honest answer based on this geneaology:
-Floyd beat Mosley
-Shane Knocked out Margarito
-Margo then kayoed Martinez
-Sergio Martinez beat Pavlik
-Kelly Pavlik beat 2x Taylor
-Jermain beat BHop
-Bhop beat Roy Jones
-Roy Jones decisioned Ruiz
-Ruiz beat Holyfield
-Evander beat Foreman
-Big George annihilated Frazier
-Frazier defeated ALi
-Ali KOed Moore
Let's pause for a while. Marciano never got defeated but he was knocked down in numerous times all his career.
(Continuing) Moore KNOCKED DOWN Rocky only to get kayoed after. if i was right with the analogy from the start, Floyd who's undefeated too, decisions Marciano unanimously. If the analogy was right. LOL fight fans
Mayweather can beat anyone, even Ali
He's beaten the best boxers of his generation, like Baldomir, Guerrero and and Victor Ortiz
The heavyweight would usually win. But Andrew deserves best answer!
The rock would
Knock him out
Mayweather for sure he's one of the greatest ever
i say mayweather....he beated canelo.
