I just saw last night on ESPN-Classics Rocky Marciano vs .....

[CutMeMick]

I've been doing my homework these past few day's on my history of boxing. So I can compete against the rest of you, On topics of boxing history. Did anyone watch Rocky Marciano vs. Rex Layne last night or has seen it before? WOW! What a right. The fight took place 7-12-1951. Coming in to the fight Rocky was 35-0 and Layne was 34-1-2. Rocky was actually the underdog Layne was the favorite to win. Laynes final record was 50-17-3. Rockys (despite the controversy behind his record) in the book's it stands at 49-0. I have a couple of question's.

1) For the Layne fight, was this the 1st and only fight Marciano was NOT the favorite?
2) Why was Layne the favorite, If it was well into Rockys career? Was Rocky not respected still to that day?

The KO that droped Layne was a perfect cross right on the top of the head upper temple and was right on the button. Layne laid there didn't even move.
2) Which is your favorite Rocky Marciano KO?
3) List the TOP (3) Rocky Marciano MUST SEE fights.

Thanks for the feed back.

[LBSCFC]

I think Layne may have been favourite due to a recent win over Jersey Joe Walcott.

favourite Marciano fights

1) Ezzard Charles I
2) Jersey Joe Walcott I
3) Archie Moore

[CutMeMick]

I think Layne may have been favourite due to a recent win over Jersey Joe Walcott.

favourite Marciano fights

1) Ezzard Charles I
2) Jersey Joe Walcott I
3) Archie Moore

Cool Click for you LBSCFC for being the first to reply.
Do you have a favorite KO?

[LBSCFC]

if you mean a marciano ko then i would go for his win over walcott. maricano showed why he was a true champion that night. getting up from a 1st round knockdown and although being behind on points never gave up before koing Jersey Joe in the 13th with one of the best right hands hes ever thrown.

thanks for the cool click mate. id give u one back if I knew how hehe

[CutMeMick]

if you mean a marciano ko then i would go for his win over walcott. maricano showed why he was a true champion that night. getting up from a 1st round knockdown and although being behind on points never gave up before koing Jersey Joe in the 13th with one of the best right hands hes ever thrown.

thanks for the cool click mate. id give u one back if I knew how hehe

I have seen that KO. It's one of my favorites too. About the cool click it's on your left hand side right below you RATING [cool] [sad]. You either click on COOL when you agree or SAD click when you disagree.

[LBSCFC]

subtle hehe. have u seen a fight between maricano and harry kid matthews in 1952. it was the fight before he won the title against walcott. peach of a left hand to win that one

[CutMeMick]

Yes I have seen that KO.
Was Rocky godd with both hands?
Funny thing is I havent seen the Joe Louis fight. Have you? What happend?

[LBSCFC]

they fought in October 1951. Louis was beaten in 8 rounds. pitiful sight at the end. Louis was down twice in the 8th/ The second knockdown knocked Louis through the ropes. Marciano apologised to Louis after the fight fore beating him.

[SimonH]

And it should be noted Louis actually walked into the Marciano fight as the slight betting favourite.

LaStarza (in fight 1) was also a betting favourite to beat the Brockton Blockbuster.

[LBSCFC]

thought the Louis fight wasnt as one sided as people made out either. He certainly made an impact on Rockys face with some punches. youth prevailed though

[CutMeMick]

And it should be noted Louis actually walked into the Marciano fight as the slight betting favourite.

LaStarza (in fight 1) was also a betting favourite to beat the Brockton Blockbuster.

Why was Layne the favorite, If it was well into Rockys career? Was Rocky not respected still to that day?
Was Rocky good with both hands?
Which is your favorite KO?

[LBSCFC]

Im pretty sure Layne was favourite cos he had a recent win over Walcott

[SimonH]

And it should be noted Louis actually walked into the Marciano fight as the slight betting favourite.

LaStarza (in fight 1) was also a betting favourite to beat the Brockton Blockbuster.

Why was Layne the favorite, If it was well into Rockys career? Was Rocky not respected still to that day?
Was Rocky good with both hands?
Which is your favorite KO?

Marciano at the time was just considered a crude slugger, who would get found out, the moment he met any class.

The only reason he got these big fights, was his incredible support, which pretty much guaranteed a sell out, for each of his bouts.

Rocky had deceptively fast hands, and power in both, of course he favoured his 'Suzy Q' (overhand right), but he could punch with his left as well.

As for my favourite KO? It maybe cliche, but his KO of Walcott in their first bout, was an all-time classic one punch finish; even if ironically he landed two punches!

[CutMeMick]

I think Patterson would of outpointed the Rock for 10/12 rounds, but eventually in the championship rounds, Marciano would of finally caught up with the young Patterson, scoring a 14th round stoppage.

But what if then Marciano met a 1958 vintage, Liston, what would of happened then?

I would take Louis, I think he would have gotten an early KO like in the 4th rd. or so.....For some reason I feel the body size of Liston would have been a problem for Rocky.