I think Rocky would have done the following against the Heavyweight champs who followed him:
Patterson: KO (mid rounds)
Johansson: KO (within 2 rounds)
Liston: TKO by (late rounds, I think Liston was one of the more underrated champs in history)
Ali L15 (close decision, or possibly a close decision for Marciano depending upon what style the judges liked)
Frazier KO (early rounds. Frazier, a slow starter, would exit early as he did against Foreman and almost did against Oscar Bonevena).
Foreman KO by 4 (Foreman's early round assault puts Rocky down multiple times before the ref stops the match). If Rocky somehow survives... who knows?
Leon Spinks KO (another early round stoppage for the Rock)
Ken Norton TKO (Mid-rounds stoppage. Rocky's style would be all wrong for Norton)
Larry Holmes L15 (Holmes with a hard fought decision - close). I could see Rocky winning a decision, too. It would be close. Norton took Holmes to the edge... Rocky could succeed where Norton failed.
Michael Spinks KO (within 5 rounds)
Mike Tyson KO by (early rounds)(a prime Tyson only succumbs to the best of the best - and maybe Foreman and Liston - based upon size and style. Tyson's blend of speed and power were awesome in his prime.
Evander Holyfield W15 (great fight with Marciano being tougher to hit cleanly with combinations than Holyfield thought).
Bowe W15 (I see Rocky's body attack dropping Bowe's punch output after the 5th. Rocky would have to survive some "rocky" moments before his body attack discouraged Bowe from seeking a knockout)
Lewis L15 (Of course the Rock could land a one-punch KO shot... but I see Lewis' jab and careful choice in taking chances causing him to come away with a decision.
Jim
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Originally Posted by 60'sfan
Jim,
How do you think a prime Rocky would have done against the HW champs that came after him?
Here's my opinion.
Patterson - Rocky in 5
Johansson - Rocky in 3
Liston - A tough one - could go either way. If (a big if) Rocky survives the first 5 rounds, Rocky will win by KO.
Ali - Ali wins by decision.
Frazier - Another tough one. Rocky 60% of the time.
Foreman - Similar to Liston.
Leon Spinks - Rocky in 3
Holmes - Tough match up for Rocky - Holmes by decision.
Mike Spinks - Rocky by decision or late KO
Tyson - Tyson by early KO - there's no way Rocky can win against a prime Tyson.
Douglas - The Douglas who beat Tyson could also beat Rocky. The Douglas who lost to Holyfield wouldn't stand a chance against Rocky.
Holyfield - A great fight - pick em.
Bowe - Bowe by KO
Lewis - Lewis probably by KO but with Lewis's chin, Rocky could get lucky.
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