Let's take a look back at the heavyweight bouts and their results while taking a look at four of the greatest champions.
Imagine Massachusetts native Rocky “The Brockton Blockbuster” at 49-0 (43 stoppages) going up against Catskill, New York native “Iron” Mike Tyson at 50-6 (44 stoppages).
Tyson is faster with his punches, but his peekaboo style with both hands and arms out in front of him allows Marciano to hit Tyson's arms with force. After the third or fourth round, you'll see Tyson's return punches decrease.
By the sixth round, Marciano was landing punches and Tyson was trying to fight back, but his punches were barely landing and he looked confused.
In March 1987, WBC champion Tyson (28-0) faced hard-punching WBA champion James “Bonecrusher” Smith (19-5) at the Outside Arena at the Las Vegas Hilton in Nev. Tyson won nearly every round but couldn't beat Smith, who was stopped twice.
It was no secret that the only man Marciano could withstand was light heavyweight champion Archie “Old Mongoose” Moore (149 wins, 19 losses, 8 draws), who arguably held the record for most knockouts at the time.
Tyson will probably win the first five rounds or before he tires, and Marciano will decide the outcome in the final ten.
What do you think, boxing fans?
The match will feature world champion Lennox “The Lion” Lewis from West Ham, London, England, with a record of 41 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, and 32 stoppage victories, versus world champion Larry “The Easton Assassin” Holmes from Easton, Pennsylvania, with a record of 69 wins, 6 losses, and 44 stoppage victories.
This will be a battle of the jabs. Lewis is the taller fighter, but Holmes is known for his jab, and he can do it without taking any penalty.
Lewis lost at the Olympics to the Ali-like Tyrell Biggs, but Holmes was much the same. Lewis was stopped twice in his career, Holmes once, but both had strong chins.
Holmes, who has lost to smaller opponents like Michael Spinks and Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, won't be an easy target for Lewis, so he's likely to win a 15-round decision 9-6.
What do you think, boxing fans?
