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Rocky Marciano vs. Muhammad Ali

38557 Views 115 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  Colzo
This post is basically been the major question of boxing ever since the death of Marciano. They made a computer fight saying that Ali fell in the 8th round.

Tell me what you think would happen in the fight, going 15 rounds, and then for a finish fight (a fight going on forever.) and do the same for the Ali after being banned.

Heres how I see the fight ending
PRIME VS. PRIME
Marciano TKO12 Ali
PRIME MARCIANO VS. 1970S ALI
Marciano KO6 Ali
61 - 80 of 116 Posts
I hope you know that he went on an 11 fight win streak after Marciano until he ran into Floyd. He went 37-3-2 and held the Light Heavyweight title for 5-6 years after Marciano. Which, to me at least, debunks that theory.


If you really rank Floyd outside the top 30 YOU ARE THE JOKE. I'll repeat the fact that got on your nerves: Floyd knocked out Archie Moore in 4 rounds less (KO5-1956) than Marciano (KO9-1955) just 1 year after Rocky, while Moore was on an 11 fight win streak and they were fighting for the vacant World Heavyweight title.:laugh:

If the most powerful puncher in history could not break his arms, what makes you think Marciano would? If you really think the 190 pound Marciano (43 ko's in 49 wins) hit harder than a 220 pound Foreman (68 ko's in 76 wins), 211 pound Shavers (68 ko's in 74 wins), (I could go on and on with all the hard hitters Ali faced) etc. than we can end this discussion because you lack logic to your reasoning. And since when did breaking an arm constitute punching power? Did you ever take into account that something coupled with punching power has to come into to play? I'll answer that for you; No, you didn't.

Unlike you, I rather state facts and not what reportedly happened to a journeyman. Do you think Savoid rolled with punches like Ali? I wouldn't surprised me, if you thought he did.

Do you even know what an ATG is? If you do, Who the fukk gave you authority to be able to call someone ATG or not, asshole. If you don't just stfu.
Lol at you looking up guys from the 1800's. What, you think because you know the name and record (because you definitely haven't seen him fight) of some bareknuckle fighter it puts your boxing knowledge above mine or anyone elses? I hope you know it doesn't. You probably don't even know who Frank Paddy Slavin is. SMH. :laugh:

I gave you facts as to why Ali would beat Marciano, if you don't bring facts to the table other than a broken bone and feet off the canvas, leave it how it is.
The bolded comments were not needed.

Back to the debate. Archie Moore wasn't fighting people of note on that streak. He only fought 4 people of note during that time. They were Bob Dunlap, Willie Bean, Yolande Pompey, and James Parker. Just before the Patterson fight he fought a guy making his pro debute. People can compile "impressive" streaks with numbers, but when you look at the people they did it against it isn't so impressive. Look at George Foreman. He basically made a 2nd career out of knocking out bums for the most part. Anyone that was decent gave him a good fight. Archie Moore was great at getting people hyped up and thinking he was superman. Look at the hype he managed to get against Marciano.
The bolded comments were not needed.

Back to the debate. Archie Moore wasn't fighting people of note on that streak. He only fought 4 people of note during that time. They were Bob Dunlap, Willie Bean, Yolande Pompey, and James Parker. Just before the Patterson fight he fought a guy making his pro debute. People can compile "impressive" streaks with numbers, but when you look at the people they did it against it isn't so impressive. Look at George Foreman. He basically made a 2nd career out of knocking out bums for the most part. Anyone that was decent gave him a good fight. Archie Moore was great at getting people hyped up and thinking he was superman. Look at the hype he managed to get against Marciano.
Maybe so, but I still think we saw the same Moore with Marciano that we did with Patterson. It's a difference in 1 year here, not 10 like Foreman.
Maybe so, but I still think we saw the same Moore with Marciano that we did with Patterson. It's a difference in 1 year here, not 10 like Foreman.
1 year can make a big difference though. I doubt he regressed as much as Foreman did, but I don't think he was top either.
DRPUGILIST said:
If you really rank Floyd outside the top 30 YOU ARE THE JOKE. I'll repeat the fact that got on your nerves: Floyd knocked out Archie Moore in 4 rounds less (KO5-1956) than Marciano (KO9-1955) just 1 year after Rocky, while Moore was on an 11 fight win streak and they were fighting for the vacant World Heavyweight title.

If the most powerful puncher in history could not break his arms, what makes you think Marciano would? If you really think the 190 pound Marciano (43 ko's in 49 wins) hit harder than a 220 pound Foreman (68 ko's in 76 wins), 211 pound Shavers (68 ko's in 74 wins), (I could go on and on with all the hard hitters Ali faced) etc. than we can end this discussion because you lack logic to your reasoning. And since when did breaking an arm constitute punching power? Did you ever take into account that something coupled with punching power has to come into to play? I'll answer that for you; No, you didn't.

Unlike you, I rather state facts and not what reportedly happened to a journeyman. Do you think Savoid rolled with punches like Ali? I wouldn't surprised me, if you thought he did.

Do you even know what an ATG is? If you do, Who the fukk gave you authority to be able to call someone ATG or not, asshole. If you don't just stfu.

Lol at you looking up guys from the 1800's. What, you think because you know the name and record (because you definitely haven't seen him fight) of some bareknuckle fighter it puts your boxing knowledge above mine or anyone elses? I hope you know it doesn't. You probably don't even know who Frank Paddy Slavin is. SMH.

I gave you facts as to why Ali would beat Marciano, if you don't bring facts to the table other than a broken bone and feet off the canvas, leave it how it is.
Archie Moore was never the same fighter after he fought Marciano. I saw the fight with Patterson, Marciano, Joey Maxim and a lot more. It's obvious that you did not see the fight between Moore and Marciano because Moore was obviously in his prime, and I am not saying crap about numbers, am I? Floyd Patterson, once again, did not have a good enough chin to be in the top 30.

Muhammad Ali never fought the most powerful puncher ever lived. He died in 1918, and that would be John L. Sullivan. Besides, the proof shows that Marciano punched harder than anybody Ali fought. And what else would couple with punching power? Breaking an arm constitutes power the same way that breaking a jaw does. YOUR BREAKING A BONE YOU IDIOT! You need a hard punch to do that.

Savold did not roll with punches like Ali, but Ali has arms, why can't they be broken like every body else that had the guts to stay standing against Marciano?

Obvously I know what I am talking about, since I am owning you, and I have every goddam right to express my opinion of who I think is an ATG, and if you don't stop talking crap about it, I am going to ask SugarShane or TrueBlueFan to do something about it. I do know who Frank Paddy Slavin is. He fought with Peter Jackson, Jake Kilraine, Bob Fitzimmons, and Charley Mitchell. I think you looked Peter Jackson up on Boxrec and saw a name and you clicked it... like, Frank Paddy Slavin, who happens to be his fourth to last fight.

This is every single bit of evidence I need to officially declare that you know nothing.
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Archie Moore was never the same fighter after he fought Marciano. I saw the fight with Patterson, Marciano, Joey Maxim and a lot more. It's obvious that you did not see the fight between Moore and Marciano because Moore was obviously in his prime, and I am not saying crap about numbers, am I? Floyd Patterson, once again, did not have a good enough chin to be in the top 30.

Muhammad Ali never fought the most powerful puncher ever lived. He died in 1918, and that would be John L. Sullivan. Besides, the proof shows that Marciano punched harder than anybody Ali fought. And what else would couple with punching power? Breaking an arm constitutes power the same way that breaking a jaw does. YOUR BREAKING A BONE YOU IDIOT! You need a hard punch to do that.

Savold did not roll with punches like Ali, but Ali has arms, why can't they be broken like every body else that had the guts to stay standing against Marciano?

Obvously I know what I am talking about, since I am owning you, and I have every goddam right to express my opinion of who I think is an ATG, and if you don't stop talking crap about it, I am going to ask SugarShane or TrueBlueFan to do something about it. I do know who Frank Paddy Slavin is. He fought with Peter Jackson, Jake Kilraine, Bob Fitzimmons, and Charley Mitchell. I think you looked Peter Jackson up on Boxrec and saw a name and you clicked it... like, Frank Paddy Slavin, who happens to be his fourth to last fight.

This is every single bit of evidence I need to officially declare that you know nothing.
Easy Tiger...you go too far.

And I can only stand you saying Moore was in his prime vs Marciano so many times. Moore's prime was long gone, he waisted it not training properly. His BEST ring performances happened in the late 40s, and he remained at the top of his game through the early 50s. He fights Marciano September 1955, after a total of FIVE battles with Harold Johnson, FIVE with Jimmy Bivins, THREE with Ezzard Charles, and THREE with Joey Maxim. These are MARQUEE names to be fighting so many times. It isn't humanly possible to not be worn down from that. After his last fight with Harold Johnson, Moore stepped on the big stage only 4 more times against Marciano, Patterson, Willie Pastrano, and finally Ali. He won none of those fights. If this isn't indication the man was past it, then I don't know what is.
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Did you see the fight? I saw two fights with Jimmy Bivins, One with Charles, one with Joey Maxim, and one with Harold Johnson. I have seen him in the times that everybody says he was in his prime, and he was not as good as he was when he fought with Rocky Marciano.
Did you see the fight?
YES. Jesus.

When styles are meant for each other a fighter looks better. Hell Arturo Gatti looked like a greek god in the second and third fight with Micky Ward. Was he over the hill nonetheless? Hell yes. Looking better does not make the fighter better. This is a concept you need to understand.
What? I cannot hear you over the sound of how awesome I is. It does not sound like you saw the fight. It still looks like Moore at his best, even though he was steamrolled over.
What? I cannot hear you over the sound of how awesome I is. It does not sound like you saw the fight. It still looks like Moore at his best, even though he was steamrolled over.
Kid I saw the fight before you were even born >_<

And I've watched it again recently.
your 22. You are only 8 years older than me. Before I was born, you say?
your 22. You are only 8 years older than me. Before I was born, you say?
I was around 10 when I saw it. Close enough.
Let's try to cool it down guys. Just debate, no need for the snide remarks here and there.
The bolded comments were not needed.

Back to the debate. Archie Moore wasn't fighting people of note on that streak. He only fought 4 people of note during that time. They were Bob Dunlap, Willie Bean, Yolande Pompey, and James Parker. Just before the Patterson fight he fought a guy making his pro debute. People can compile "impressive" streaks with numbers, but when you look at the people they did it against it isn't so impressive. Look at George Foreman. He basically made a 2nd career out of knocking out bums for the most part. Anyone that was decent gave him a good fight. Archie Moore was great at getting people hyped up and thinking he was superman. Look at the hype he managed to get against Marciano.
My bad, but he asked for it, it was in response to his comment.

I don't buy you trying to sell me Archie Moore being that past it after Marciano. Shitt if he was, he didn't show it, he went on an 11 fight win streak knocking out 8 of them, he successfully defended The Light Heavyweight title once in that streak. After Marciano he went 32-3-2 with 24 knockouts, successfully defended his 175 .lb title 5 times, and only lost to only Patterson, Rinaldi, and Ali, 2 future Hall of Famers. Moore was not much different from the year from the time he fought Marciano to Patterson.
Archie Moore was never the same fighter after he fought Marciano. I saw the fight with Patterson, Marciano, Joey Maxim and a lot more. It's obvious that you did not see the fight between Moore and Marciano because Moore was obviously in his prime, and I am not saying crap about numbers, am I? Floyd Patterson, once again, did not have a good enough chin to be in the top 30.

Muhammad Ali never fought the most powerful puncher ever lived. He died in 1918, and that would be John L. Sullivan. Besides, the proof shows that Marciano punched harder than anybody Ali fought. And what else would couple with punching power? Breaking an arm constitutes power the same way that breaking a jaw does. YOUR BREAKING A BONE YOU IDIOT! You need a hard punch to do that.

Savold did not roll with punches like Ali, but Ali has arms, why can't they be broken like every body else that had the guts to stay standing against Marciano?

Obvously I know what I am talking about, since I am owning you, and I have every goddam right to express my opinion of who I think is an ATG, and if you don't stop talking crap about it, I am going to ask SugarShane or TrueBlueFan to do something about it. I do know who Frank Paddy Slavin is. He fought with Peter Jackson, Jake Kilraine, Bob Fitzimmons, and Charley Mitchell. I think you looked Peter Jackson up on Boxrec and saw a name and you clicked it... like, Frank Paddy Slavin, who happens to be his fourth to last fight.

This is every single bit of evidence I need to officially declare that you know nothing.
:laugh: How is it obvious I didn't see the fight? Because I don't agree with you? "That crap about numbers" are usually related to facts something you might want to look into if you're going to get into arguments. Whether you like it or not Floyd Patterson is a top 20 heavyweight regardless of his chin. That's a testament to the guys skills and heart. He beat George Chuvalo who was a swarming power puncher like Marciano, only bigger. You can't make a list of 30 Heavyweights that rank above Patterson without getting laughed at by knowledgeable boxing fans.

John L Sullivan is NOT the hardest puncher that ever lived, chalk his knockouts up to bare knuckle fighting and fighting journeyman that weren't dedicated to boxing. The hardest puncher ever is either George Foreman, Earnie Shavers, it is NOT some crude, over rated, bare knuckle boxer that fought journeyman.

WHAT PROOF? What possible proof do you have? What possible proof have you put forth, so far? The answer to all three is: none.

What else would couple with punching power to break an arm? Hmmm, punch angles, punch placement, how much strength your opponents' bones have, if they've come in to the bout with a past injury, etc. Did you ever think those things had something to do with breaking a bone? The answer to this is probably: no. Go take a physics course before you call someone else an idiot, asshole.

Rolling with punches softens the impact. Why are you talking like Marciano broke everyone of his opponents' bones that stood in front of him? Because he didn't, alot of things have to combine for some freak thing like that to happen. I swear Moore took a Marciano left hook flush on the jaw before he knocked Marciano down and it didn't break his jaw.

:laugh: We can make this back and forth as a thread and put a poll, to see who is owning who. If you actually think you're owning me:laugh:, you're more delusional than I thought. Let me get this straight: You attack my opinion and when I attack yours, you start making threats of going to get someone. Typical kid actions, if you're going to get into arguments, you might want to grow up.

You're accusing me of looking up boxrec, when you've done the same, because you damn sure haven't seen them fight. We can go to the General Boxing area and ask knowledgeable boxing fans if they know who Peter Jackson is: everyone except you will say no. You think you know about him because you've looked at or memorized his record? That does not mean you know him, that does not constitute boxing knowledge, in time you might find that out, these ownings are learning experiences.

Now go get whoever you want, and your ******* shinebox while your at it.
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Who hit the hardest is a tough question if you ask me. I think Foreman and Liston most likely had the most force behind their punch. However people like Tyson, Razor Ruddock, Earnie Shavers may have thrown more devastating punches because they were thrown like a rocket shooting off from a launchpad.

For the sake of naming a white guy in all this, my money goes on Max Baer over Marciano and John "I don't fight black people" Sullivan no questions asked.
I think Shavers was the hardest hitter, everyone who's faced him said he hit the hardest, and this includes guys like Ali, Holmes, Lyle, and Cobb who fought pretty big punchers.

I think Marciano was the hardest hitting white fighter, closely followed by Max Baer. When Marciano landed clean with his "Suzie Q" rarely did they get up. Only Charles and Moore seemed to rise after eating it.
I think Shavers was the hardest hitter, everyone who's faced him said he hit the hardest, and this includes guys like Ali, Holmes, Lyle, and Cobb who fought pretty big punchers.

I think Marciano was the hardest hitting white fighter, closely followed by Max Baer. When Marciano landed clean with his "Suzie Q" rarely did they get up. Only Charles and Moore seemed to rise after eating it.
You just named two natural Light Heavyweights who got up from it. What do you think this punch would have done to a man like Foreman, Bowe, Liston, Tyson, etc, etc, etc. REAL Deal Heavyweights. Marciano comes forward against guys like this and he might land, but they'll still be there and they're going to fire back with so much force he'll be knocked backwards and eventually out. I think Marciano was so effective with his punches because he fought either non-Heavyweight, washed up, or bum fighters who simply were never capable of or no longer capable of taking a real Heavyweight punch. An 8 year career with such an unusual assortment of fights doesn't do him any favors, then his small size doesn't even give him the benefit of the doubt.

Baer hit so hard the state of California charged him with manslaughter. It's still widely believed he lead to the death of 2 men. Then we all know how many times he knocked down big Primo Carnera. No impulse in me could put Marciano over this man. That said, Marciano would have most likely beat him. The fight is sure to end in someone getting KOed.
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My word, I have been away for some time and it feels that I never left. We went over Ali/Rocky a couple of years ago and we had a Great debate, BUT when things were all said and done, almost everyone agreed that I came up winning, by not only saying that Ali would have won, BUT also proving it.

Here's some of what I stated before when comparing Ali, Louis, Rocky & Tyson. Its a little long BUT there is a lot of information in it:

Rocky fought his 1st top 10 contender in his 26th bout when he won a close split decision against LaStarza. He fought another 10 bouts before he fought another top 10 contender when he stopped Rex Layne. When he fought Moore that was only the 11th time Rocky ever fought a boxer that was rated in the top 10 when he fought them.

Louis fought his top 10 contender in his 12th bout when he stopped Lee Ramage. He would box 9 more top 10 contenders before he fought Braddock for the title. That was Louis's 36th pro bout. So after 36 bouts, Rocky fought 2 top 10 contenders and Louis fought 11. Also, Rocky fought 49 bouts and Louis fought 36 and they both faced 11 top 10 contenders. The time Louis had 49 bouts, he faced a total of 21 top 10 contenders.

Joe Louis was past his prime before he fought Marciano. His record was 61-1 with 52 KO's in his 1st 62 bouts. In his last 9 bouts before he fought Rocky, Louis was 8-1 with only 3 KO's.

Back in 1963, a Boxing Mag. ran an article on all the Heavyweight Champions. They rated them on Power, Chin, Footwork, Jab, Hook, Right & Stamina.

They had Rocky with a BEST rating in Power, Chin & Right, he got a fair rating in Jab and a Poor rating in both Footwork & Hook.

They rated Dempsey (87) #1, followed by Tunney (84), Johnson (82), Louis (80), Marciano (78) and Liston (76).

They had Louis with a Best in Power, Jab, Hook, Right, and they had a Good rating for him in Stamina, and Fair ratings for Chin and Footwork.

Here's what I put down months ago:

Lets look at the best boxers he fought:

Rocky fought LaStarza twice (1950 & 1953) and he was very good. A lot of people thought LaStarza beat Rocky in their 1st bout. Rocky would stop him in the return bout.

He also fought Walcott (1952 & 1953) and Charles (both in 1954) twice each. Charles had 90 bouts at that time and he had seen better days.

In his 1st bout with Rocky, Charles fought very well, and it was a lot closer then a lot of people thought it would be and people wanted to see a return go. Rocky stopped Charles in the return bout. Just a year before Charles lost to Nino Valdes and Harold Johnson in consecutive bouts.

In the 1st Walcott bout going into the 13th round, the judges had Jersey Joe ahead 7-4, 7-5 and 8-4. Rocky stopped Jersey Joe in the return bout in 1 round.

He only fought another 10 boxers that were ever in the 10 top by Ring at one time or another.

Phil Muscato (December 1949) was last rated in the top 10 in 1948, he fought Rocky the next year after losing 4 in a row and 5 out of his last 6 before boxing Rocky.

Johnny Shkor (September 1950) was 29-18-2 at the time he fought Rocky in 1950. He was last rated in 1947. He just got stopped by Walcott and lost his last 7 of 11 bouts.

Rex Layne (July 1951) had a pro record of 34-1-2 with 24 knockouts going into the bout with Rocky. He was a very good boxer, in fact he was one of the best at that time.

Freddy Beshore (August 1951) was last rated in October 1950, Rocky fought him in August of 1951. He lost 7 of his last 9 bouts before he fought Rocky.

Joe Louis (October 1951) who was still good, BUT way past his prime when he fought Marciano. His record was 61-1 with 52 KO's in his 1st 62 bouts. In his last 9 bouts before he fought Rocky, Louis was 8-1 with only 3 KO's

Lee Savold (February 1952) was last rated in 1951, Rocky stopped him in 1952. Savold was also stopped 9 times before his bout with Rocky, including one by an aging Joe Louis.

Bernie Reynolds (May 1952), who lost 4 out of his last 6 bouts before boxing Rocky in 1952. Reynolds was past his prime as the last time he was rated was 1949.

Harry Kid Matthews (July 1952) was an excellent boxer with an excellent record, he was 51-0-1 with 36 KO's in his last 52 bouts before he faced Rocky, but he was really was a Light Heavyweight.

Don Cockell (May 1955) beat Matthews 3 times and LaStarza. He was also stopped 6 times before he fought Rocky, including a bout with Randy Turpin, a Middleweight, in which he out weigh Turpin by 12 pounds. He was dropped 3 times in the bout.

Archie Moore (September 1955), he was one of the Greatest Light Heavyweights ever.

So if you go by this, the only boxers that were rated in the top 10 when he fought them were Walcott, Charles and LaStarza twice each, Louis, Moore, Layne, Matthews and Cockell. So that means he fought only 8 boxers, 11 times that were rated in the top 10 at the time he fought them.


Moore was 5'11" - 188 pounds
Cockell was 5'11" - 205 pounds
Charles was 6'0" - 185½ & 192½
LaStarza was 6'0" - 187 & 184¾ pounds
Walcott was 6'0" - 196½ & 197¾
Matthews - 5'10¾ - 179 pounds
Layne - was 193
AND Louis who was 6'2" by BoxRec, and weighed 213¾

Remember, Tyson would out weigh Marciano by over 30 pounds, so I would have to give the power to him. I would also give the speed like you said, BUT Rocky would have the stamina, Heart, Chin, mental toughness, all around toughness, like you said too.

If you look at who they fought, Tyson did box better opponents.

Tyson fought boxers with an average record of (W) 22.2758 - (L) 3.5 - (D) 0.3 and Rocky fought boxers with an average record of (W) 29.7 - (L) 10.16 - (D) 1.8.

Tyson fought 33 different boxers 36 times, that were rated in the Top 10 at one time or another. Marciano fought 13 different boxers 16 times, that were rated in the Top 10 at one time or another.

BUT, I think this would be a pick-em bout. If I was a betting man, I would bet on Tyson in the 1st 4 rounds and if it lasted beyond that, I would bet on Marciano.

Tyson hit very hard. He had 22 first round knockouts and if you count Peter McNeeley, it would be 23 in his 58 bouts.

Rocky had 11 first round knockouts in 49 bouts.

In Tyson's 52 bouts where he either won or fought a NC, he fought an average of 3.365 rounds, if you count the other bouts which he lost, he fought an average of 3.74 Rounds.

In Marciano's 49 bouts, he averaged 4.9387755 rounds.

So if you go by this, I would have to say that Tyson hit harder, BUT Marciano had a better chin, heart, stamina, or mental toughness/all around toughness.


Here's a list of the only contenders that Ali didn't box at one time or another. This does not count the time he was out of boxing or not the Champion. This is from 1964 to 1967 and 1973 to 1978, a total of 10 years:

Thad Spencer (3)
Duane Bobick (4)
Kallie Knoetze (6)
Amos Lincoln (6)
Howard Smith (7)
Johnny Boudreaux (8)
Eduardo Corletti (8)
Gerry Coetzee (8)
Roger Rischer (8)
Eddie Machen (9)
Henry Clark (9)
Ozzie Ocasio (9)
Stan Ward (9)
Hubert Hilton (9)
Johnny Persol (9)
Larry Middleton (10)
Randy Neumann (10)

There were many years that everybody that was rated in the Top 10, he fought at one time or another.

Here's another list of all the contenders of Rocky's era. I also included their career record. (* Rocky fought)

1. Jersey Joe Walcott (1) – 6’0” – 197 – (51-18-2) **
2. Archie Moore (1) – 5’11” – 188 – (185-23-11) *
3. Nino Valdez (1) - 6’3” – 210 – (48-19-2)
4. Ezzard Charles (2) – 6”0” – 190 – (89-25-1) **
5. Don Cockell (2) – 5’11” – 205 – (65-14-1) *
6. Rex Layne (2) – 6’1” – 193 – (50-17-3) *
7. Bob Baker (2) - 6’2” – 215 – (51-16-1)
8. Dan Bucceroni (3) - 6’2” – 190 – (46-6)
9. Tommy Jackson (3)- 6' 3½” – 195 – (34-9-1)
10. Roland LaStarza (4) – 6’0” – 185 – (57-9) **
11. John Holman (4) - 6’3” – 205 (27-17-1)
12. Bob Dunlop (4) – 182 _ (30-13-1)
13. Clarence Henry (5) - 6’1” – 185 – (34-6-1)
14. Earl Walls (5) - 6'2½” – 192 – (34-9-1)
15. Willie Pastrano (5) – 6’0” – 175 – (63-13-8)
16. Johnny Williams (6) – 195 – (60-11-4)
17. Heinz Neuhaus (6) – 6’2” – 212 (43-9-7)
18. Johnny Summerlin (7) – 6’1” – 195 – (35-8-2)
19. Tommy Harrison (8) – 182 – (22-13-2)
20. Bob Satterfield (8) – 6’2” – 185 – (50-25-4)
21. Karel Sys (9) – 5’11” – 210 – (114-17-10)
22. Charley Norkus (9) – 6’0” – 195 – (33-19)
23. Young Jack Johnson (9) – 6’3” – 208 – (24-20-1)
24. Jimmy Bivins (10) – 5’9” – 185 – (86-25-1)
25. Coley Wallace (10) – 6’2” – 205 – (20-7)
26. Jimmy Slade (10) – 180 – (36-23-6)
Others that were rated during that time were:
1. Paul Andrews – 6’3” – 180 – (37-10)
2. Bill Gilliam – 6’2” – 210 - (30-20-2)
3. James J. Parker – 6’3” – 210 - (30-7-4-)
4. Franco Cavicchi – 202 – (71-14-4)
5. Cesar Brion - 6'2½” – 202 – (32-7-4)


Ali fought 38 different opponents 49 times in 61 bouts that were rated at one time or another in the top 10 in the World. - 80.3279%

Louis fought 43 different Opponents 54 times in 71 (or 72) bouts that were rated at one time or another in the top 10 in the World. - 76.056%

Rocky fought 13 different Opponents 16 times in 49 bouts that were rated at one time or another in the top 10 in the World. - 32.653%

Ali fought 38 out of 61 opponents while they were in the top 10. He beat 33 of them 54.098%

Louis fought 34 out of 71 opponents while they were rated in the top 10. He beat 31 of them 43.662%

Rocky fought 11 out of 49 opponents while they were rated in the top 10. He beat all 11 of them 22.44898%

Ali fought boxers that had an average pro record of 33-5-1 when he fought them.

Louis fought boxers that had an average pro record of 38-10-2.5 when he fought them.

Rocky fought boxers that had an average pro record of 29.7-10.16-1.78 when he fought them.

Just compare the list of Opponents that each fought, you can't tell me that Ali didn't box the better opponents.

Ali beat Foreman, Frazier 2 out of 3 times, Liston twice, Norton 2 out of 3 times, Patterson twice, Quarry twice, Bonavena, Ellis, Folley, Terrell, Chuvalo twice, Lyle & Shavers. I can go on, BUT I think you know what I mean.
Louis beat Greats like Baer, Schmeling, Walcott twice, Conn twice, Braddock, Carnera & Sharkey.

Compare them at the time they fought Ali or Louis, not just their overall record, and you will see what I am talking about.

Both of these Great boxers are among the best ever, I rate them 1-2. When I was a kid, most experts would say that it was Dempsey who was the Greatest, as time went on the experts would say it was Louis, now for many years, they say it's Ali. No one knows for sure and everyone has their opinions.

These are the facts and I am not going to tell you to go in a corner, BUT if you would take the time to look at them, you will see for yourself.


As far as their records go, Louis fought several that lost near the end of their careers. When he fought Charles, Ezzard had a record of 61-5-1 and when Charles retired he ended up 90-25-1.

Just match up Ali's opponents with Louis's that they beat.

I have my picks in BOLD

1. Foreman 40-0-0 vs. Max Baer 50-6-0
2. Frazier 30-1-0 & 32-2-0 vs. Schmeling 52-7-4
3. Liston 35-1-0 & 35-2-0 vs. Braddock 50-25-7
4. Norton 30-1-0 & 37-3-0 vs. Walcott 44-11-2 & 44-12-2 Pick-Em
5. Patterson 43-4-0 & 55-7-1 vs. Conn 59-10-1 & 62-11-1
6. Quarry 37-4-4 & 43-5-4 vs. Nova 26-2-4
7. Bonavena 46-6-1 vs. Galento 76-23-5
8. Ellis 30-6-0 vs. Sharkey 38-13-3
9. Folley 74-7-4 vs. Farr 66-20-13 Pick-Em
10. Terrell 38-4-0 vs. Carnera 82-7-0
11. Chuvalo 34-11-2 & 66-17-2 vs. Godoy 53-8-7 & 53-9-7
12. Lyle 30-2-1 vs. Simon 34-7-0
13. Shavers 54-5-1 vs. Buddy Baer 50-5-0 & 50-6-0
14. Bugner 43-4-1 & 51-6-1 vs.
15. Bob Foster 49-5-0 vs.
16. Mac Foster 28-1-0 vs.
17. Mildenberger 49-2-3
18. Moore 184-22-11
19. Young 17-4-2
20. Williams 65-5-1
21. Jones 21-3-1
22. Cooper 27-8-1 & 33-11-1
23. L. Spinks 7-0-1

This is their records at the time(s) they fought Ali and Louis. You can also witch them around if you want, just try to pick the best against the best. Meaning you should have the top opponents that Ali boxed against the top opponents of Louis.

That’s 31 wins against 23 different opponents. All 23 opponents were rated #3 or better in the World at one time or another by Ring Magazine.


Lets do it with Tyson:

1. Foreman 40-0-0 vs. Holmes 48-2-0
2. Frazier 30-1-0 & 32-2-0 vs. M. Spinks 31-0-0
3. Liston 35-1-0 & 35-2-0 vs. P. Thomas 29-1-1
4. Norton 30-1-0 & 37-3-0 vs. Berbick 32-4-1
5. Patterson 43-4-0 & 55-7-1 vs. Tubbs 24-1-0
6. Quarry 37-4-4 & 43-5-4 vs. J. Smith 19-5-0
7. Bonavena 46-6-1 vs. Tucker 35-0-0
8. Ellis 30-6-0 vs. Biggs 15-0-0
9. Folley 74-7-4 vs. Bruno 32-2-0 & 40-4-0
10. Terrell 38-4-0 vs. C. Williams 22-2-0
11. Chuvalo 34-11-2 & 66-17-2 vs. Tillis 31-8-0
12. Lyle 30-2-1 vs. Ruddock 24-1-1 & 24-2-1
13. Shavers 54-5-1 vs. Botha 39-1-0
14. Bugner 43-4-1 & 51-6-1 vs. M. Green 16-1-1
15. Bob Foster 49-5-0 vs. M. Frazier 16-1-0
16. Mac Foster 28-1-0 vs. Tillman 20-4-0
17. Mildenberger 49-2-3 vs. Stewart 26-1-0
18. Moore 184-22-11 vs.
19. Young 17-4-2 vs.
20. Williams 65-5-1 vs.
21. Jones 21-3-1 vs.
22. Cooper 27-8-1 & 33-11-1 vs.
23. L. Spinks 7-0-1 vs.


How about Rocky:

1. Foreman 40-0-0 vs. Walcott 51-16-2 & 51-17-2
2. Frazier 30-1-0 & 32-2-0 vs. Charles 80-10-1 & 80-11-1
3. Liston 35-1-0 & 35-2-0 vs. Moore 148-19-9
4. Norton 30-1-0 & 37-3-0 vs. LaStarza 37-0-0 & 53-3-0
5. Patterson 43-4-0 & 55-7-1 vs. Cockell 66-11-1
6. Quarry 37-4-4 & 43-5-4 vs. Matthews 81-3-5
7. Bonavena 46-6-1 vs. Louis 69-2-0
8. Ellis 30-6-0 vs. Layne 34-1-2
9. Folley 74-7-4 vs. Savold 93-39-3
10. Terrell 38-4-0 vs. Muscato 56-20-0
11. Chuvalo 34-11-2 & 66-17-2 vs. Shkor 29-18-2
12. Lyle 30-2-1 vs. Beshore 30-12-1
13. Shavers 54-5-1 vs. Reynolds 51-9-2
14. Bugner 43-4-1 & 51-6-1 vs.
15. Bob Foster 49-5-0 vs.
16. Mac Foster 28-1-0 vs.
17. Mildenberger 49-2-3 vs.
18. Moore 184-22-11 vs.
19. Young 17-4-2 vs.
20. Williams 65-5-1 vs.
21. Jones 21-3-1 vs.
22. Cooper 27-8-1 & 33-11-1 vs.
23. L. Spinks 7-0-1 vs.
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Another massive post by Henry that took over 5 minutes to read and think about.... Anyway. While I don't feel like going over every aspect of that. Ali and Tyson have impressive numbers no doubt, but you also have to look at the activity rate of the fighters back then and from 15 years after Marciano on up. Boxing politics had changed a lot. Back then they would fight anyone who wanted to fight without much picking and choosing about contenders and such. When you look at the number of fights the people had going in against Marciano, he seemed very green if you think about it. The majority of them had over 70 fights where as Marciano didn't even have 50.
Another massive post by Henry that took over 5 minutes to read and think about.... Anyway. While I don't feel like going over every aspect of that. Ali and Tyson have impressive numbers no doubt, but you also have to look at the activity rate of the fighters back then and from 15 years after Marciano on up. Boxing politics had changed a lot. Back then they would fight anyone who wanted to fight without much picking and choosing about contenders and such. When you look at the number of fights the people had going in against Marciano, he seemed very green if you think about it. The majority of them had over 70 fights where as Marciano didn't even have 50.

Ali fought boxers that had an average pro record of 33-5-1 when he fought them.

Louis fought boxers that had an average pro record of 38-10-2.5 when he fought them.

Rocky fought boxers that had an average pro record of 29.7-10.16-1.78 when he fought them.

So the average fights that Rocky opponents had was 41.64, Louis was 50.5 and Ali 39. I don't see much difference between Rocky and Ali, do you.
Ali fought boxers that had an average pro record of 33-5-1 when he fought them.

Louis fought boxers that had an average pro record of 38-10-2.5 when he fought them.

Rocky fought boxers that had an average pro record of 29.7-10.16-1.78 when he fought them.

So the average fights that Rocky opponents had was 41.64, Louis was 50.5 and Ali 39. I don't see much difference between Rocky and Ali, do you.
I was talking about the ranked people.
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