The Ghost of Marciano Strikes Again

Here we will look at some of the heavyweight champions that followed Marciano and how close they came to the magic number of 49. Please note, I will only be reviewing boxers that came after Marciano and were undefeated when they won the title, or at least a portion of it.

Muhammad Ali

How He Got There – Ali, the brash, young Louisville fighter won the title in his twentieth bout, a seventh round TKO over Sonny Listion. After an exile from boxing and vacancy of the title for refusing induction into the Army, Ali returned in 1970 and received a shot at the current champion Smokin’ Joe Frazier. Ali was 31-0 entering that bout.

Where The Streak Ended – “The Fight” was Frazier’s night as he waded through Ali’s combinations, firing his famous left hook to the head and body. Ali was badly staggered in the eleventh round and dropped in the fifteenth, losing a unanimous decision.

Smokin’ Joe Frazier

How He Got There – Frazier, the rough Philadelphia slugger, became a household name during Ali’s exile, winning universal recognition as heavyweight champion with a vicious knockout of Jimmy Ellis in his twenty-fifth bout. Two successful defenses after his defeat of Ali, Frazier traveled to Kingston Jamaica to face George Foreman. Frazier was 29-0 going into that bout.

Where The Streak Ended – Frazier was the favorite going it but in less than two rounds, Foreman had taken his title, knocking him to the canvas six times before the bout was halted.

George Foreman

How He Got There – Big George emerged on the scene with the KO of Frazier, his thirty-eighth bout. His sullen demeanor and devastating power had people genuinely fearing for Muhammad Ali when they were set to clash in Zaire. Going into “The Rumble in the Jungle”, Foreman was 40-0.

Where The Streak Ended – Foreman came in to destroy Ali, just as he did to the others before him. Ali, employing a “rope-a-dope” technique let Foreman punch himself out in the oppressive heat before stopping him in the eighth round.

Larry Holmes

How He Got There – Holmes emerged at the tail end of the 70’s, the great decade for heavyweight boxing. He won the title with a back-and-forth thrilling split decision over Ken Norton in his twenty-eighth bout. He defeated some good challengers and some over-hyped challengers before running his record to 48-0.

Where The Streak Ended – It looked like Holmes would be the one to tie the streak when light heavyweight champion Michael Spinks was selected as the challenger. Spinks’ awkward style caused Holmes fits and the title changed hands on a very close and controversial decision.

Michael Spinks

How He Got There – Spinks was the recognized light heavyweight champion who shocked the world in his twenty-eighth fight, winning the title and ending Holmes’ chance to tie Marciano. Due to chronic knee problems, Spinks did not fight often.

Where The Streak Ended – With a record of 31-0 and his title stripped, Spinks stepped in against the undisputed champion, Mike Tyson. After 91 seconds, Spinks was knocked out and would not box again.

Mike Tyson

How He Got There – Tyson emerged on the scene, a protégé of Cus D’Amato, and ran roughshod over everybody in his path. He won the title in his twenty-eighth fight and looked invincible in his title defenses.

Where The Streak Ended – With a perfect 37-0 record, Tyson looked untouchable and a matchup with Evander Holyfield was on the horizon. All Tyson had to do was dispatch a 42-1 underdog named James “Buster” Douglas. Apparently Douglas didn’t read his copy of the script, taking the fight to a lethargic Tyson before knocking him out in the tenth round.

Evander Holyfield

How He Got There – After unifying the cruiserweight title, Holyfield bulked up to heavyweight in hopes for a match-up with Tyson. Holyfield went on to dispatch Tyson-conqueror Douglas in three rounds in his twenty-fifth bout. Although he struggled in his defenses against Foreman, Holmes, and Bert Cooper, he was clamoring for a bout with Tyson, up until Tyson landed in prison on rape charges.

Where The Streak Ended – Despite disadvantages in youth and size, Holyfield was favored over the upstart challenger Riddick Bowe. Bowe fought the perfect fight, wearing Holyfield down and winning a unanimous decision. Holyfield was 28-0 going in.

Riddick Bowe

How He Got There – Immensely talented, with speed, power, and charisma, Bowe looked like a champion who could reign for a while. Unfortunately, he was saddled with a lazy streak and immaturity that would annoy his legendary trainer Eddie Futch. Bowe won the title from Holyfield in his thirty-second bout and made two successful and easy defenses.

Where The Streak Ended – Bowe was 34-0 going into this rematch with Holyfield. Bowe also came into this bout 11 lbs heavier than the first bout and sporting a soft midriff. While this bout is remembered for the “Fan Man” incident, it was really a story of an under-prepared champion who was out-hustled and outfought on his way to losing a majority decision.

Michael Moorer

How He Got There – Moorer was a mysterious fighter, often reclusive. A vicious knockout-artist as light heavyweight, Moorer was a complacent heavyweight, often needing memorial between-rounds pep talks from his trainer Teddy Atlas. With a record of 34-0, Moorer came off the canvas and won the title with a decision over Evander Holyfield, who had injured his shoulder and seemed sluggish throughout.

Where The Streak Ended – At 35-0, Moorer was given the opportunity to select his first challenger. He chose the former champion and (now) lovable George Foreman. For nine and a half rounds, it looked to be a wise choice. Moorer outboxed the slower challenger, hitting him at will with combinations. Moorer became too brave and, ignoring his corner’s pleas, stood in Foreman’s danger zone where two powerful right hands laid him out and ended his reign. Foreman took the title and fulfilled his dream of recapturing the heavyweight crown after coming out of a retirement of ten years.

Lennox Lewis

How He Got There – Lewis was a proposed opponent for Riddick Bowe. The bout made sense since Lewis defeated Bowe in the Olympics and there was bad blood between them. Bowe decided to ditch the WBC portion of his title instead of facing Lewis. The title was then won by Lewis, in his twenty-second fight, by second round KO over Razor Ruddock.

Where The Streak Ended – Lewis made several defenses before facing mandatory challenger, Oliver McCall. McCall was best known for being Mike Tyson’s sparring partner and for his odd ring antics, which included crying on his way to the ring. Lewis, who was 25-0 going in, walked into one of the “Atomic Bull’s” bombs and crashed hard. Lewis arose unsteady, prompting a hasty stoppage.

Nikolay Valuev

How He Got There – Valuev made the most of his size, overpowering smaller opponents, and his surroundings, receiving questionable wins over Larry Donald, Gerald Nobles, and John Ruiz (for the WBA championship) in Germany. When Valuev dethroned Ruiz, he was 42-0.

Where The Streak Ended – Valuev had upped his record to 46-0 and started talking about vanquishing Marciano’s record. A proposed unification with Wladimir Klitschko would have most likely ended Valuev’s reign but Ruslan Chagaev was able to get there first. He took advantage of Valuev’s lack of speed, neutralizing an 11″ height and 90 lbs. weight differential by moving in and out and countering Valuev’s ponderous punches on his way to a unanimous decision victory.

With the number of titles out there today and corruption of the sanctioning bodies, it is inevitable that Marciano’s record will someday fall. But it won’t be by Valuev and it won’t be for a while.