Cassius Clay versus Rocky Marciano in 1965: More Likely A Cautious Draw
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
If Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) had fought Rocky Marciano in 1965 as was quietly proposed, beyond the financial factor (the money would have been in the millions for both, outrageous at the time), the fight would have been a fifteen round tactical battle.
The computer fight filmed in 1968 had two outcomes, with Ali winning in Europe, and Marciano winning in the Americas. A real fight, if it had occurred, would probably have inspired a rematch or two no matter the outcome, as both men were big names and big draws back in the day.
Ali would have boxed Marciano from the outside, while Marciano would have forced his way inside. Sort but powerful like Mike Tyson, Marciano could have dropped Ali if he landed his patented power shots with perfection. Ali could have cut Marciano significantly around the eyes with his speed jabs, Which one got off first and did more damage first is anybody’s guess.
At this time, looking back in reflection, the fight outcome between Marciano and Clay appears closer to a 15 round drawish fight, with both fighters fighting a careful effective technical bout. Neither fighter, with respect for each other’s abilities, would have gotten careless. Remember we are talking about the Ali of the 1960’s versus a 45 year old Marciano. Even an older Marciano would have beaten Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston, Bob Foster or Ingemar Johansson. Clay versus Marciano would not be unlike Floyd Mayweather Jr. versus Saul Alvarez today, in that it is not necessarily the better fighter who wins, but the smarter fighter with the more adaptable game plan.