By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

I have seen many mythical bouts where people predict “who would beat who” if they were to fight at the height, peak, prime, pinnacle of their careers regardless of the era.

So, I have chosen to go back in time with a select group of heavyweight champions from Muhammad Ali to John L. Sullivan; based solely on my personal opinion, I have put together a series of super fights.

Many of us boxing purests have a wide difference of opinions, and I truly respect that, and trust that my opinion might be respected, as well.

I have spoken to many of the top boxing historians throughout my fifty-nine years of involvement in the sport, and here are their lists of the best:

Nat Fleischer, founder and editor of Ring magazine ranks Jack Johnson, Jim Jeffries, Bob Fitzsimmons, Jack Dempsey, and Jim Corbett as his top five heavyweights.

Bert Sugar ranks Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Sam Langford, Muhammad Ali, and Jack Johnson as his top five heavyweights.

Al Nelson ranks Bob Fitzsimmons, Jim Jeffries, Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, and Gene Tunney as his top five heavyweights.

Hank Kaplan ranks Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, Rocky Marciano, and George Foreman as his top five heavyweights.

BoxRec ranks Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Sam Langford, Muhammad Ali, and Jack Johnson as their top five heavyweights.

I sincerely respect these boxing historians, and BoxRec; certainly we have a  diverse series of opinions.

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

Rocky Marciano had forty-nine professional fights as a heavyweight with 49 wins, No Losses and No Draws. He never lost a professional fight and that is something many have tried to emulate without success.

Born Rocco Francis Marchegiano on September 1, 1923 in Brockton, Massachusetts, he was the eldest of six children whose parents were poor Italian immigrants. In 1943, during World War II, he was drafted into the US Army. He served overseas and was stationed in Wales with a Combat Engineer outfit. It was while finishing out his time in the service, at Ft. Lewis, Washington, that he started boxing and began to compile a winning record. Upon discharge, he returned home and began earning a living as a factory worker.

Although he was successful as an amateur boxer, Rocky’s first love was baseball and he had dreams of playing in the Major Leagues. He was known as a standout catcher on the baseball fields of Brockton and was good enough to earn a tryout with the Chicago Cubs organization. Fortunately for boxing … the Cubs didn’t feel he was major league caliber and sent him packing. It was then that he returned to boxing with a vengeance!

Rumor has it, “Rocky Marciano” was born one night when a ring announcer couldn’t pronounce Rocco Marchegiano! A quick change and the name stuck! Rechristened Rocky Marciano, he made his pro debut on March 17, 1947 and went undefeated in his first thirty-five fights scoring 31 of those wins by KO. Along the way he beat two up and coming big names in the heavyweight division, Roland LaStarza who had 37 Wins, No Losses and No Draws, until he stepped into the ring with Rocky and Rex Layne who had 34 Wins against only 1 Loss and 2 Draws.