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I remember reading an article in the 70's that said Rocky was starting to have back problems which was a major factor in his decision to retire. The article said that his back would suddenly "lock up" and he was afraid of that happening during a fight. He had kept this problem, according to the article, a secret because he had already signed to fight Archie Moore.
Another thing is, fighters back then seemed to age faster than they do today. It's not like today. Of course, they fight less today, too.
Even back in Ali's time, they made a big deal out of him turning 30! Today, 40 is the new 30 and 60 is the new 50. People are active through their 80's when back then, they'd be checking out a few years after retirement.
I believe Rocky's physicla best was behind him the night he stepped into the ring against Moore for a few reasons.
1. Rocky was never one to pass up a buck. He he been able to squeeze one more title bout purse out of his career he would have.
2. Rocky would never enter the ring unless his conditioning (physical health included) was at it's peak. The fact that he decided not to enter the ring again after Moore sort of indicates to me that he knew that was the inevitable slide had begun.
It's amazing that a fighter with Rocky's all out style lasted as many fights as he did. I've never seen a fighter with as much raw determination and the ability to seemingly be able to will himself to victory as Marciano. I remember my grandfather telling me that Ezzard Charles said, "You can't boxing Marciano and win. He puts on relentless pressure. The only way to beat his style is to stand and fight him."
I didn't check out Dean's rating, but I imagine that had the Rock returned, his conditioning would have remained a 10, but his CF's would have probably dropped a hair as would have his punches landed and the effectiveness of his crouching defense. He probably would have cut easier, too. He would have still had the power, though.
I wonder who would have trained him?
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