Top 10 boxing heavyweight greats of all-time

3. Rocky Marciano (49-0, 43 KOs)

Rocky Marciano was an anomaly. He only stood at about 5-foot-10, had short arms, and had two left feet. He was a clumsy boxer, but Marciano had some of the hardest hitting hands boxing has ever seen.

No one had the ability to give a punch and take a punch like Marciano. He is the only heavyweight champion to retire with an undefeated record while retaining the title. Some think that he should have lost a decision to Roland LaStarza in 1950, but it was ruled a split decision in Marciano’s favor. Marciano decisively knocked out LaStarza in 1953.

Marciano defeated several special boxers including Jersey Joe Walcott and Ezzard Charles twice and Archie Moore in the final bout of his career. All were quality wins, but like the previously mentioned Larry Holmes, Marciano fought during an era that was down on premiere heavyweight talent.

He also defeated aging Joe Louis, who was too far gone and was only fighting for money. It was a sad affair that made Marciano cry and apologize to Louis after a devastating round 8 KO that sent Louis through the ropes.

Marciano retired undefeated, but that doesn’t make him the best heavyweight of all-time. He beat all comers, but the men in front of him lacked the starch of other generations. Walcott and Charles were good but were inferior to the top champions of different ages.

Marciano’s skills were limited compared to other heavyweight greats, but his power and his chin allowed him to punch his way into the record books and near the top of our list.