who is the better boxer or to most people the 'immortal' one?

Question

Is it Muhammad Ali or Rocky Marciano
cause Rocky retired undefeated.......... so did Ali deserve the title the best boxer ever?

Answer 1

Good question and one that has inspired much debate over the years. For whatever my opinion is worth, I'd give it to Ali. Despite his undefeated record, "The Rock" didn't fight the same class of opposition that Ali did. Rocky fought some legends--Joe Louis, Jersey Joe Walcott, and Ezzard Charles--but he caught them all past their prime. He fought--and beat--Archie Moore as well. That's no disrespect to Marciano--you can only fight the guys available to you at the time. Ali, meanwhile fought an absolutely insane level of opposition and caught them all in their prime: Frazier, Foreman, Norton, Liston (though arguably Liston was past his prime). Even his second tier opposition like Shavers and Leon Spinks was pretty good. Based on this--and the fact that Ali was never KO'd until late in his career well past when he should have retired (by Larry Holmes)--Ali gets huge points with me for fighting the absolute best.

On a comparison of their skills, Ali was by far the better rounded, more polished fighter while Marciano obviously had more power. Again, no dis against "The Rock"--the best way for him to win fights was using his power and not trying to outbox his foes--but based on boxing skill alone its hard not to give Ali the edge.

Marciano was a bada**, and one of my all-time favorite fighters, but I consider Ali to be the best heavyweight in history.

And I share the previous poster's opinion that "pound for pound" Sugar Ray Robinson was the best boxer to ever grace a ring...

Answer 2

Marciano was a great champ during an era that didn't hi-lite many top Heavyweights. Still, undefeated and the fact he never lost despite giving up at least 10lbs in every fight, demands recognition. However, Ali being called "immortal" I think comes more from the fact that he transcended the sport of boxing. He was political, media savvy, and always good for a sound bite. But I will say that if a 29yo Ali fought a 29yo Marciano? Ali would win a Unanimous Decision.

Answer 3

Shenmue ~
Are you just referring to the Heavyweights? If so, then yes Ali was the better boxer of all of them. But the Greatest Boxer of all time is Walker Smith Jr. better known as "Sugar Ray Robinson" The Associated Press in 1999 named him the "Greatest Welterweight and Middleweight of All time" Ring Magazine "The Bible of Boxing" recognizes him as "The Greatest Boxer Ever". Just compare their records, Sugar Ray engulfs Ali, you have Robinson with 175 - 19 - 6 with two no-decisions and a amazing 109 knockouts an then you have Ali with 61 - 5 with 37 knockouts, Robinson had more Knockouts than Ali had fights. Just because Ali said he was the "Greatest" doesn't make it so. We're talking the Greatest Boxer here not "The Greatest Talker" "The Greatest Conscientious Objector" "The Greatest Athlete to talk about Civil Rights" just BOXER, and that would have to be Sugar Ray. This is just my opinion Shenmue, it's not fact or set into stone, Boxing Historians and Boxing Fans will argue this point always Robinson, Ali or Marciano it's all opinion Shenmue no body's ever going to know for sure but Ray's a good bet. Thanks for the great question.

Answer 4

Rocky Marciano

Answer 5

Rocky Marciano

Answer 6

the age old question.
I think older or better yet OLD people will say the Rock, younger Ali. That being said Ali. But honestly I haven't seen many of Marciano's fights actually just clips of fights. So it's hard for me to compare the two. But you know what lb for lb I'll take Chavez, or even Hamed, I know Nas was a cocky ***, but besides Barera he whupped everyone bad.

Answer 7

Rocky Marciano... Ali just got more press/tv time.

Answer 8

Both are immortal. But Ali is the better and more well rounded fighter by a long shot.

Answer 9

Ali is the best boxer ever.

Answer 10

rocky marciano!!!!