Prime Louis vs Prime Marciano

[Heckler]

Marciano COULD be really hurt by a guy by Louis, especially if he walks into a Louis right cross... he would always get off the canvas, but he could be hurt... id sway towards cuts or UD anyway.

[oldgringo]

Louis by decision. He'd have more energy, his punches would be sharper, he was just better overall. It'd be close, and Louis may even be dropped late, but I can't see Rocky taking him out in his prime.

[M26]

Rocky Marciano would have his chance because of his great power and incredible stamina. It is not impossible that he would catch Joe Louis with one of his wrecking shots late in the fight to end it.

How ever, it's easier for me to envision Louis coming out on top. His skill was nothing short of marvelous, he had power on the highest level, he was fast and he had stamina. If an ageing Joe Walcott could waltz with Marciano for almost 13 rounds, Louis could do the same. He would go to the center of the ring and await Marcianos attack. Because of Marcianos shorter reach and slower hands, he would be countered all night long with accurate, hard punches. This would definitely slow him down some.

I don't think Marciano would be knocked out, but I see a well-prepared, prime Louis winning by comfortable decision or cuts. This is not to say it would be an easy fight for Louis though. Marciano would give him hell all night long with his stamina and hard punches.

Joe Louis by UD.

[blockhead]

Louis by decision. He'd have more energy, his punches would be sharper, he was just better overall. It'd be close, and Louis may even be dropped late, but I can't see Rocky taking him out in his prime.

i see this fight happening exactly like the gringo stated.

[butterfly1964]

well, louis with the superior reach, speed, and IMO power, i don't see marciano winning this one. since rocky is a swarming hw, it would be hard for him to get through louis' jab. louis also is about 3inch taller and about 20lb. heavier than marciano, so i think it would look more like foreman-frazier.

louis ko 6.

[Southpaw Stinger]

Louis by TKO 8. Louis has the skills and power to lay some serious hurting on Marciano.

[butterfly1964]

Louis by TKO 8. Louis has the skills and power to lay some serious hurting on Marciano.

yeah, that's the truth.

[Jenks88]

I think Louis underestimated himself when he said Marciano would beat him because of his style. If I remember correctly, Louis handled Arturo Godoy pretty well, and Godoy was tough swarmer like Marciano (he was an Al Weill fighter too I think). Of course, Godoy isn't as good as Marciano, but I still think Joe could handle Rocky. It wouldn't be an easy fight, but I see Louis winning by KO or TKO is the mid to late rounds...and maybe earlier if he jumped Marciano right at the bell, cause Marciano was a slow starter, and I don't think his chin was as great as everyone says it was.

[K-DOGG]

First off, thank all of you for your insight into this quandry.

My personal take is I'd have to favour Louis; but do believe, style-wise, Marciano presented a very difficult and dangerous picture. If Louis said he never could handle a crowder...and he did, I rememeber that quote from either old footage or reading it before...not sure; but he did say that...that means he had difficulty and he knew it. Now, also, that being said, Louis was humble as many great champions before Ali were, so I do think he would not only find a way to cope with Rocky; but that he would overcome.

I can't see him stopping Marciano...not by kayo, cuts maybe; but not kayo. If Louis wins this one, it's a points verdict and I can see Marciano droppin him at least once during the bout....he hit hard and Louis was suceptable to being knocked down. If Tony Galento could do it...

The fascinating thing is people underestimate Rocky today for the same reason they underestimated him then: he's damn awkward. But awkward can work to a fighters advantage and did in Rocky's case. Fighters are used to a handful of styles because they see them in the gym or in the ring all the time: the boxer-puncher, counter-puncher, stylist, slugger, swarmer, and a few other well known generic styles that each fighter modifies to make his own.

When a fighter comes along, like Marciano, who presents an extremely customized style, very unique challenges are set for any of their opponents. It's like solving a puzzle that's never been solved vs solving a variation of a puzzle that has. If you've fought a guy with a certain style and beat him, odds are if you fight another guy with a similar style, you'll have an idea as to what to do. However, if you fight a guy with an awkward or uncommon style...you have to figure it out while you're fighting and trying not to get your head knocked off....for your style is NOT Awkward and your opponent has probably seen it before in some variation where you do not have his advantage......if that makes any sense.

My prediction for this fight....Louis by hard fought, brutal UD....and both men will be sore as hell the next day.

Peace.

[oldgringo]

First off, thank all of you for your insight into this quandry.

My personal take is I'd have to favour Louis; but do believe, style-wise, Marciano presented a very difficult and dangerous picture. If Louis said he never could handle a crowder...and he did, I rememeber that quote from either old footage or reading it before...not sure; but he did say that...that means he had difficulty and he knew it. Now, also, that being said, Louis was humble as many great champions before Ali were, so I do think he would not only find a way to cope with Rocky; but that he would overcome.

I can't see him stopping Marciano...not by kayo, cuts maybe; but not kayo. If Louis wins this one, it's a points verdict and I can see Marciano droppin him at least once during the bout....he hit hard and Louis was suceptable to being knocked down. If Tony Galento could do it...

The fascinating thing is people underestimate Rocky today for the same reason they underestimated him then: he's damn awkward. But awkward can work to a fighters advantage and did in Rocky's case. Fighters are used to a handful of styles because they see them in the gym or in the ring all the time: the boxer-puncher, counter-puncher, stylist, slugger, swarmer, and a few other well known generic styles that each fighter modifies to make his own.

When a fighter comes along, like Marciano, who presents an extremely customized style, very unique challenges are set for any of their opponents. It's like solving a puzzle that's never been solved vs solving a variation of a puzzle that has. If you've fought a guy with a certain style and beat him, odds are if you fight another guy with a similar style, you'll have an idea as to what to do. However, if you fight a guy with an awkward or uncommon style...you have to figure it out while you're fighting and trying not to get your head knocked off....for your style is NOT Awkward and your opponent has probably seen it before in some variation where you do not have his advantage......if that makes any sense.

My prediction for this fight....Louis by hard fought, brutal UD....and both men will be sore as hell the next day.

Peace.

K-Dogg....you take your time on your posts and give reasonable takes pretty much every time i read yoru stuff. Keep up the good posting mayne.