...Not much to separate these lads, IMO, & with the stylistic clash being dead-even, might this come down to conditioning? It's Joe's smokin' left hook up against Rocky's over-hand right, "Suzie-Q." This is fifteen rounds. I think we're looking at a great, great fight. A true all-timer, for excitement & thrills.
Savage war. I'm not sure how much style analysis is required for this one. I think Frazier is a bit better and a bit bigger. Have to go with Smokin' Joe.
Actually...this is my nomination for the most exciting mythical matchup of all time. I go back and forth on this one. Frazier is 20 pounds heavier but Marciano has two fisted power. Marciano also appears to have the better chin. Today....I pick Marciano
You're touching on a potentially critical factor, there --- Marciano (upstairs, at least) was a more damaging puncher, & I consider him more likely to score a knockdown in this fight, should one come, than suffer one. In a fight like this, just one moment on the ringmat could decide the outcome, because I see no real way for either man to win by a clear margin on points scoring, should this fight go the distance. Both just had too high a work-rate for that. It's interesting, because both men relied heavily on conditioning & work-rate to win fights. A lot of their combined opponents lost because they couldn't breathe in there. In this fight, much of that will be taken away for both parties. Frazier's reach isn't a big issue, IMO --- this is a phonebooth affair, but he does sport the faster hands & better combinations, for mine. Marciano may edge him for cardio, if that's possible. Both had somewhat susceptible skin (not as bad as reported), & each was better defensively than credited for. It's a great, great clash. I would pay anything to observe. I can't pick a winner with confidence.
