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The one I've often thought about was Marciano vs Liston.
32 year old champ Marciano announced retirement in 1956.
Sonny Liston turned pro in '53,
was 14 wins and 1 loss(avenged) by '56,
jail and boxing ban mid-'56 to '57,
back to boxing in 1958.
What could have been? A prime Liston would have been the Rock's toughest opponent ever.
However, I don't think the Rock would have been prime anymore in 1958 at 34 years old.
The Rock had substantial lower back pain in 1956 which was a major cause for his retirement (in addition to not having any real challengers anymore therefore no big money fights on the horizon.)
Some points to consider:
The Rock absolutely had the power in his right hand to put out even Sonny Liston if he hit him right on the chin. The Rock could take a helluva shot. The Rock did not get frustrated and kept working at cutting down his slicker opponents late in the fight. Competitive heart and mentally TOUGH!
Marciano would NOT have been scared of Liston, and intimidation/fear were a big part of Liston's arsenal. There is the Rock's bad back by 1956 though, this for a crouching fighter.
It would've been a great fight.
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