Marciano or Dempsey?

[EzzardFan]

Marciano by a country mile. He fought a much better class of opponent.

[italianboxer]

Marciano was one of those fighters born for it..dere's nothing to do i do love dempsey but Marciano is a legend

[Obama]

While Marciano didn't duck and dodge the Black HOFers of his era like Dempsey did, Dempsey still has the far superior resume...thus I rate him higher. But had Marciano not received those two gifts against LaStarza and Lowry then I'd rate Marciano higher simply because there wouldn't be any arguments that someone ever managed to beat him. In any case, I rate them basically right next to each other.

In a h2h matchup however I favor the Rock. Dempsey would start fast and win the early rounds but the Rock would weather the storm, come on strong, and break him down in the long run. But why would I rate Dempsey higher if I believe this? Well, Dempsey could beat skilled legit Heavyweights with height, Fred Fulton at the top of the list. Marciano on the other hand never fought a credible opponent who was both 6'0+ and 200+ lbs simultaneously, aside from a washed up Joe Louis. Nino Valdez makes the top of the list of fighters he wanted nothing to do with.

Each career was managed carefully. Dempsey kryptonite was technical boxers, who he did face but simply constantly was a disappointment against, while Marciano's kryptonite he avoided entirely. Makes sense why, he did have the shortest reach of any Heavyweight Champion, ever.

[TheGreatA]

Then again not fighting Nino Valdes isn't quite like not fighting Harry Wills.

[TheGreatA]

However I do think it's very telling that out of two choices for an opponent, Marciano chose to fight an overweight Don ****ell instead of Nino Valdes.

[EzzardFan]

Then again not fighting Nino Valdes isn't quite like not fighting Harry Wills.

Marciano on the other hand never fought a credible opponent who was both 6'0+ and 200+ lbs simultaneously, aside from a washed up Joe Louis. Nino Valdez makes the top of the list of fighters he wanted nothing to do with.

Each career was managed carefully. Dempsey kryptonite was technical boxers, who he did face but simply constantly was a disappointment against, while Marciano's kryptonite he avoided entirely. Makes sense why, he did have the shortest reach of any Heavyweight Champion, ever.

Archie Moore beat Valdez - let's not get away from it. I see no reason why he would have troubled Rocky... EVERYONE is the division had longer arms than Rocky. His reach was only 67" which is freakishly short for someone of 5'11". I know this because I am pretty much an identical build to Rocky. Thing with having short reach is that once you get inside the opponent is virtually unable to land anything on you with any force. The worst they can do is clinch.

[TheGreatA]

Archie Moore beat Valdez - let's not get away from it. I see no reason why he would have troubled Rocky... EVERYONE is the division had longer arms than Rocky. His reach was only 67" which is freakishly short for someone of 5'11". I know this because I am pretty much an identical build to Rocky. Thing with having short reach is that once you get inside the opponent is virtually unable to land anything on you with any force. The worst they can do is clinch.

The reason Valdes could've troubled him is because he was 6'3, 210+ lbs with 80 inch reach. Rocky never fought anyone of that stature that was any good.

Valdes was known for a strong jab which likely influenced Marciano's decision to fight ****ell instead. Marciano at the time was coming back from a nose injury and it was feared that the cut could open again so they took on an opponent that presented little danger.

[mickey malone]

Valdez always got found out when he stepped up, and if Moore beat him, then Rock would have just done it quicker..
There's been a lot of talk about Marciano's controversial fights with Lowrey and LaStarza.
What about Dempsey's fights with Willie Meehan and Fireman Jim Flynn?? that are constantly brushed under the carpet.. The last time i brought up this subject on a thread, i got just the one response; "Jack took a dive in the Flynn fight"
So that's forgiven is it?.. Sorry, but this isn't good enough when your're being compared to a fighter like Marciano, who would've rather taken a bullet, than a dive, for anyone..
I also can't get my head around how Dempsey can have 4 lame performances against a non-athletic type like Meehan, and then go and break nearly every bone in Jess Willard's face.. If that isn't controversial, i don't know what is?
Something doesn't add up imo, and all of these things should also be taken into consideration when comparing the two..

[Marcov]

I thnk they are pretty close in the greatness department.

[mickey malone]

I thnk they are pretty close in the greatness department.

A detailed and informative post!