If Marciano woulda KO'ed Patterson in '56....

[brocktonblockbust]

...and then retired----would his detractors be saying anything different about him?

[Beanflicker]

Personally, I think it would have done a great deal for his legacy. I don't know if the Rock had enough left in '56 to get the job done though, considering his injuries and back problems.

[X]

No, I dont think so. Floyd was young and quick, but I think even an old Marciano would have eventually caught up with him and battered him into submission. I dont think Floyd would have had the firepower to keep Rocky off him (and nobody trained as hard as the Rock)

The only difference would be that he would have retired at 50-0, and I guess there would have been some additional kudos in that.

I hope that he would have then retired without ending up in front of a young Sonny Liston.

[Beanflicker]

I think you're not giving Floyd Patterson enough credit. He was incredibly quick and if Rock beat him at that stage in his career, I think it would have done a ton not only for his legacy, but in the discussion of "Prime Rock vs Prime Ali". I know Patterson and Ali had vastly different styles, but if The Rock could catch up with Patterson, a good argument could be made that he could have caught up to Ali.

[Bobthepen]

I know Patterson and Ali had vastly different styles, but if The Rock could catch up with Patterson, a good argument could be made that he could have caught up to Ali.

So you'd make a good case for Liston catching up to Ali?

[Beanflicker]

I know Patterson and Ali had vastly different styles, but if The Rock could catch up with Patterson, a good argument could be made that he could have caught up to Ali.

So you'd make a good case for Liston catching up to Ali?

Good point hahah. Never said I would personally make that argument, I don't think Marciano wins more than 2 or 3 rounds vs Ali.

[beenKOed]

...and then retired----would his detractors be saying anything different about him?

No, and the Monarch Butterfly would have still made it's yearly migration cycle.

[Dark Lord Al]

Floyd had a weak chin when he fought punchers , so a come from behind KO for Rocky would be my pick.