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.