Rocky Marciano v Lennox Lewis

[X]

Comparisons between different eras don't really work.

If you had Rocky from the 1950's fighting Lennox from the 2000's, as Lyle says there is only going to be one winner. Lewis would be too big, too strong and too technical for Rocky.

Having said that, I think that Asafa Powell can run 100 metres faster than Jesse Owens ..... but that does not make him a GREATER 100m runner. For me, greatness is about how much better you are than your competion and how you dominate your era.

An even more complicated way is to pretend that Lewis was born in the 1930's and then have that version of him fighting Marciano. I would think that Lewis would have been lighter (nutritional science was not as advanced), thinner and a bit tougher than he was in 2000. maybe a bit like Ernie Terrell in the 1960's. Marciano would have a good chance against that Lewis.

Imagine, then, Rocky having been born in the 1980's. I reckon he would be a super middleweight warrior. he would never had got in the ring with Lewis, but he would possibly have dominated the supermiddles for quite some time!

[ross]

I think size wise, Marciano allthoigh about the same size height wise as Tyson, wouldnt have lasted as long as the old Tyson did with Lewis.

[Mars_ax]

At first, I wanna say the much bigger/taller/stronger Lewis would destroy Rocky. But the more I think about it, I believe Marciano would be more than competitive, especially when you think of Lewis' chin, which at times wasn't all that great. Not to stay on the fence, but I'd rate the outcome a toss up.

[ninjaspy3]

As they are, the size difference would just be too big (pun intended). Marciano would struggle to land anything meaningful to Lewis's head. Lewis would hold and lean on him when he got in close.

Hey, size does matter as the Klitschkos have proven over and over.

[Spicoli]

As with any heavyweight let alone one as compact and with the screwdriver hook of a Marciano...Rocky would pretty much have a punchers chance but everything else is a literal uphill battle. With respect to the asterisk always attached to Lewis chin, Marciano would very much be in the same boat given Lewis jab and uppercut etc. 50 lbs is 50 lbs and when you walk in it multiples. Marciano looks to get in his chest literally and mentally but I can't help but see him sponging up bookoo damage while looking for the fight ender for his efforts.

[John Cameron]

Some well thought out replies on this one, appreciate your honesty and unbiased opinions, thanks for your time

[Mars_ax]

As they are, the size difference would just be too big (pun intended). Marciano would struggle to land anything meaningful to Lewis's head. Lewis would hold and lean on him when he got in close.

Hey, size does matter as the Klitschkos have proven over and over.

True dat, size does matter in many cases, but to quote Mark Twain: "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog." Marciano was a freak of nature, I wouldn't have counted him out of any fight, no matter how big or who the opponent was.

[DavilaJones]

I don't want to sound critical of a late great but I've scanned through his fight resume on boxrec and to be honest I'm a bit conflicted.

On one hand he had a hell of a heart (getting up from multiple knockdowns to win fights) and an animal ferocity that's to be commended. On the other hand, he suffers what Roy Jones did for most of his career (B hop and Tony aside) and to a little extend the K bros do now. That is the lack of high quality competition. It's not that I think he's a bum, he is not, or that he'll be destroyed in any other era, but that I can't really gauge his true potential given the quality of opposition.

I should clarify on his opposition, he fought ezzard charles, arhcie moore, Jersey Joe, and of course the brown bomber. but all were far over the hill.

[ross]

I don't want to sound critical of a late great but I've scanned through his fight resume on boxrec and to be honest I'm a bit conflicted.

On one hand he had a hell of a heart (getting up from multiple knockdowns to win fights) and an animal ferocity that's to be commended. On the other hand, he suffers what Roy Jones did for most of his career (B hop and Tony aside) and to a little extend the K bros do now. That is the lack of high quality competition. It's not that I think he's a bum, he is not, or that he'll be destroyed in any other era, but that I can't really gauge his true potential given the quality of opposition.

I should clarify on his opposition, he fought ezzard charles, arhcie moore, Jersey Joe, and of course the brown bomber. but all were far over the hill.

Also, mostly light heavy weights!

I think Lewis and Tyson have Rocky out of there inside 2 rounds each. Rocky was famed from coming back from beatings but these were from much smaller men who did not hit as hard!

If Archie in his forties can have you on your ass you can bet almost every heavy champ since will!