I think Marciano would eventually find Ali over 15 rounds

[imp]

Ali may not be technically brilliant but his heart, conditioning, reflex, courage, speed, stamina, mentality, mind games, confidence etc made up for it. At his best he was the best.

Brilliant post!!!!

[brocktonblockbust]

great posts seriously dudes. Its intriguing. All that Ali had will to win etc I think Marciano had a greater will to win. I agree with Grey that Goldman would find the way for Marciano to force Ali to his right---Marciano ALWAYS moved left---you couldnt get him to move any other way than to his left. HE forced the action remember Ali cannot effectively force any action he is basically a counter puncher and capitalizing on errors. His leadoff punches are few and far between and quite flaewed as Grey points out---Ali always drifting his right hand whilst jabbing and that shitty slapping leadoff left hook----shitty indeed---he could not get away with that with Marciano. Ali would not land a single left hook on Rocky in 15 rounds. And if he threw one he would pay dearly to the body especially.

[Master]

Ali fought monster punchers from Foreman, Shavers and Lyle who hit harder than Rocky and if they could not dent the man, no one in the history could.

[greynotsoold]

Ali fought monster punchers from Foreman, Shavers and Lyle who hit harder than Rocky and if they could not dent the man, no one in the history could.

Henry Cooper didn't hit as hard as any of those mentioned and he certainly did dent him. Frazier did as well. The thing is, Foreman, Shavers and Lyle were all big and strong...and dumb. Just swinging those big arms until they either ko'd the other guy or exhausted themselves.

[Master]

Ali fought monster punchers from Foreman, Shavers and Lyle who hit harder than Rocky and if they could not dent the man, no one in the history could.

Henry Cooper didn't hit as hard as any of those mentioned and he certainly did dent him. Frazier did as well. The thing is, Foreman, Shavers and Lyle were all big and strong...and dumb. Just swinging those big arms until they either ko'd the other guy or exhausted themselves.

Rocky was crude and cut easy. Ali would slice him up.

[Mars_ax]

Ali fought monster punchers from Foreman, Shavers and Lyle who hit harder than Rocky and if they could not dent the man, no one in the history could.

Henry Cooper didn't hit as hard as any of those mentioned and he certainly did dent him. Frazier did as well. The thing is, Foreman, Shavers and Lyle were all big and strong...and dumb. Just swinging those big arms until they either ko'd the other guy or exhausted themselves.

Rocky was crude and cut easy. Ali would slice him up.

I think some forget just how good Ali was in his Prime, he won the HW title from Sonny Liston when he was just 22, the muther-fucker was amazing. I seriously doubt that Marciano would have even beaten the version of Ali who fought Frazier the 1st time. Yes Frazier, who was a full fledged HW, won the 1st fight, but he took a terrible beating. I don't see Marciano who was at best a small Crusierweight, being able to get inside against Ali like Frazier did, or being able to stand up to that kind of beating. Plus, like you say, Ali would have shredded Rocky's face.

[THE THIRD MAN]

Height, reach, weight and speed are all in favour of Ali. What Smokin Joe had in his favour was continuous head movement as opposed to Marciano who just kept coming at you with that crouching style, but he didn't have that awkwardness that Joe Frazier had. Marciano would've been a lot easier for Ali to hit than Smokin' Joe. Marciano was a big puncher, but if Smokin' Joe couldn't knock Ali out then i doubt Marciano would've either. He never fought above 190lbs as World Heavyweight Champion. Ali at his peak in 1966/67 was at 212lbs and was heavier,taller and faster with a long reach that would've seen him stabbing that left jab in Marciano's face all night cutting him to ribbons by the mid the rounds. Marciano only fought 7 World Title fights including 2 each with Ezzard Charles and JJW. It's only a 3 year reign at the top. One of the things that surprised Liston when they entered the ring was Ali's size, he was a big man.

[Andre]

I dont know, I have the feeling Ali wouldnt get dragged onto a battle or close scrap with a shorter stronger guy, he would be moving around flustering a forward only fighter who was out to kill him. Rocky also wouldnt be able to land those illegal wrist shots of his if Ali didnt lean down to him and kept his distance with controlling jabs better footwork and a greater reach. I think he would be dumb to lose it or having an ego moment and get dragged into war: Having the grater skills but getting ego'd out and fighting off the ropes to someone with a lower center of gravity and more power in close is an obvious no no,but you never know really.