Rocky Marciano

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Rocky Marciano
Rocky Marciano Postcard 1953.jpg
Marciano, c. 1953
Born
Rocco Francis Marchegiano

(1923-09-01)September 1, 1923
Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedAugust 31, 1969(1969-08-31) (aged 45)
Newton, Iowa, U.S.
Other names
  • The Brockton Blockbuster
  • The Rock from Brockton
Statistics
Weight(s) Heavyweight
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm) [1] [nb 1]
Reach67 in (170 cm) [3]
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights49
Wins49
Wins by KO43

Rocco Francis Marchegiano (September 1, 1923 – August 31, 1969; Italian pronunciation: [markeˈdʒaːno] ), better known as Rocky Marciano ( /mɑːrsiˈɑːnoʊ/ , Italian: [marˈtʃaːno] ), was an American professional boxer who competed from 1947 to 1955. He held the world heavyweight championship from 1952 to 1956, and remains the only heavyweight champion to finish his career undefeated. [4] His six title defenses were against Jersey Joe Walcott (from whom he had taken the title), Roland La Starza, Ezzard Charles (twice), Don Cockell and Archie Moore.

Contents

Known for his relentless fighting style, formidable punching power, stamina, and exceptionally durable chin, Marciano is considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. [5] Marciano remains the only fighter to have stopped every opponent he ever faced for the world heavyweight title, and shares, with Joe Louis, the highest knockout-to-win percentage in world heavyweight title fights at 85.71%. [6] His career knockout-to-win percentage of 87.8% remains one of the highest in heavyweight boxing history. Marciano is ranked #14 in The Ring magazine's list of the 100 greatest punchers of all time. [7]

Early life

Born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, he was raised on the south side of Brockton, Massachusetts, to Pierino Marchegiano and Pasqualina Picciuto. [8] [9] Both of his parents were immigrants from Italy. [8] His father was from Ripa Teatina, Abruzzo, while his mother was from San Bartolomeo in Galdo, Campania. Marciano had two brothers, Louis (aka Sonny) and Peter, and three sisters, Alice, Concetta and Elizabeth. When he was about 18 months old, Marciano contracted pneumonia, from which he almost died.

The Main Street of Brockton, Rocky's hometown Main Street, Looking North From Crescent, Brockton, MA.jpg
The Main Street of Brockton, Rocky’s hometown

In his youth, he worked out on homemade weightlifting equipment (later in his life, Marciano was also a client of Charles Atlas) [10] and used a stuffed mailbag that hung from a tree in his back yard as a heavy bag. He attended Brockton High School, where he played both baseball and football. However, he was cut from the school baseball team because he had joined a church league, violating a school rule forbidding players from joining other teams. He dropped out of school after finishing tenth grade.

Marciano then worked as a chute man on delivery trucks for the Brockton Ice and Coal Company. He also worked as a ditchdigger, railroad layer and shoemaker. [11] He was a resident of Hanson, Massachusetts; the house he lived in still stands on Main Street.

In March 1943, Marciano was drafted into the United States Army for a term of two years. Stationed in Swansea, Wales, he helped ferry supplies across the English Channel to Normandy. After the war ended, he completed his service in March 1946 at Fort Lewis, Washington. [12]

Amateur career

Marciano's amateur record was 8–4. [13] While awaiting discharge, Marciano represented the Army and won the 1946 Amateur Armed Forces boxing tournament. His amateur career was briefly interrupted on March 17, 1947, when Marciano stepped into the ring as a professional competitor at the Valley Arena Gardens of Holyoke, Massachusetts, being billed as "Rocky Mackianno of Westover Field". [14] [15] That night, he knocked out local fighter Lee Epperson in three rounds. In an unusual move, Marciano returned to the amateur ranks and fought in the Golden Gloves All-East Championship Tournament in March 1948. He was controversially beaten by Coley Wallace. [16] He continued to fight as an amateur throughout the spring and competed in the AAU Olympic tryouts in the Boston Garden. There, he knocked out George McInnis, but hurt his hands during the bout and was forced to withdraw from the tournament. That was his last amateur bout. [17]

In late March 1947, Marciano and several friends traveled to Fayetteville, North Carolina, to try out for the Fayetteville Cubs, a farm team for the Chicago Cubs baseball team. [18] Marciano lasted three weeks before being cut. After failing to find a spot on another team, he returned to Brockton and began boxing training with longtime friend Allie Colombo. Al Weill and Chick Wergeles served as his managers and Charley Goldman as his trainer and teacher.

Professional career

Although he had one professional fight (against Lee Epperson) on his record, Marciano began fighting permanently as a professional boxer on July 12, 1948. That night, he notched a win over Harry Bilazarian (3–6–0). He won his first 16 bouts by knockout, all before the fifth round and nine before the first round was over. Don Mogard (17–9–1) became the first boxer to last the distance (full 10 rounds scheduled) with "The Rock", but Marciano won by unanimous decision.

Early in his career, he changed the spelling of his last name, "Marchegiano". The ring announcer in Providence, Rhode Island, could not pronounce it, so Marciano's handler, Al Weill, suggested they create a pseudonym. The first suggestion was Rocky Mack, which Marciano rejected, deciding to go with the more Italian-sounding "Marciano". [19]

Marciano won three more fights by knockout, and then he met Ted Lowry (58–48–9). Marciano kept his winning streak alive, beating Lowry by unanimous decision. Four more knockout wins then followed, including a five-rounder on December 19, 1949, with Phil Muscato (56–20–0), an experienced heavyweight from Buffalo, New York, being the first "name fighter" Marciano faced.

Marciano vs Vingo

Three weeks after the Phil Muscato fight, Marciano defeated Carmine Vingo (16–1–0) by a sixth-round knockout in New York. Carmine was a promising prospect who was 16–1, with his loss controversial. Marciano was 24–0 at the time of the fight. The winner would be declared the white hope in the division. Rocky Marciano dropped Vingo in the first and second round, but by the fifth Vingo was gaining momentum. At 1:46 in the sixth round Marciano knocked out Vingo with a right uppercut. [20] Vingo was unconscious and taken to the hospital on a stretcher, as there were no ambulances available. As Vingo was given 50/50 survival odds, a priest administered last rites; however, Vingo pulled through and survived, befriending Marciano later on in life.

Marciano vs. Roland La Starza

On March 24, 1950, Marciano fought Roland La Starza, winning by split decision. La Starza may have come closer than any other boxer to defeating Marciano as a professional. The scoring for the bout was 5–4, 4–5, and 5–5. Marciano won on a supplemental point system used by New York and Massachusetts at that time. The scoring system did not award an extra point for a knockdown and Marciano scored a knockdown in the fight. Referee Watson decided the bout, scoring it for Marciano. Both boxers were undefeated before the fight, with La Starza's record at 37–0.

Subsequent bouts

Marciano scored three more knockouts in a row before a rematch with Lowry (61–56–10), Marciano again winning by unanimous decision. After that, he scored four more knockouts and, after a decision over Red Applegate (11–14–2) in late April 1951, he was showcased on national television for the first time, knocking out Rex Layne (34–1–2) in six rounds on July 12, 1951.

On October 27, 1951, the 28-year-old Marciano took on the 37-year-old Joe Louis. Coming into the bout, Marciano was a 6½-to-5 underdog. [21] Marciano upset Louis in the latter's last career bout.

After four more wins, including victories over 35-year-old Lee Savold (96–37–3) and Harry Matthews (81–3–5), Marciano received a shot at the world title.

Championship fights

Marciano and Joe DiMaggio visiting President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the White House EisenhowerRockyJoe.jpg
Marciano and Joe DiMaggio visiting President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the White House

Marciano, 29, faced the World Heavyweight Champion, 38-year-old Jersey Joe Walcott, in Philadelphia on September 23, 1952. Walcott dropped Marciano in the first round and steadily built a points lead. In the 13th, Walcott used his trademark feint to set up his right hand, but Marciano's "Suzie Q" landed first, a powerful right hook causing Walcott to slump to his knees with his arm draped over the ropes. He lay motionless long after he had been counted out and Marciano became the new World Heavyweight Champion. At the time of the stoppage, Walcott was leading on all scorecards, 8–4, 7–5, and 7–4.

His first defense came a year later – a rematch against Walcott, 39, who this time was knocked out in the first round.

Next, it was Roland La Starza's turn to challenge Marciano. After building a small lead on the judges' scorecards all the way through the middle rounds, Marciano won the rematch by a technical knockout in the 11th round.

Marciano in 1954 Rocky Marciano - 10 April 1954 - St. Paul Armory Wrestling Program.jpg
Marciano in 1954

Then came two consecutive bouts against former World Heavyweight Champion and light heavyweight legend Ezzard Charles, 33, who became the only man to ever last 15 rounds against Marciano. [22] Marciano won the first fight, held at Yankee Stadium on June 17, 1954, on points. Referee Ruby Goldstein scored the bout 8–5–2 in rounds for the champion. Judge Artie Aidala scored it 9–5–1 for Marciano while judge Harold Barnes had it 8–6–1. Marciano won the return fight by an eighth-round knockout. Then, Marciano met British and European Champion Don Cockell. Marciano knocked him out in the ninth round.

Marciano's last title bout was against 38-year-old Archie Moore, on September 21, 1955. The bout was originally scheduled for September 20, but because of hurricane warnings, it had to be delayed a day. Marciano was knocked down for a four-count in the second round, but recovered and retained his title with a knockout in round nine.

Marciano announced his retirement on April 27, 1956, aged 32. [23] He finished his career at 49–0.

Life after boxing

Marciano considered a comeback in 1959 when Ingemar Johansson won the Heavyweight Championship from Floyd Patterson on June 26, 1959. After only a month of training in nearly four years, Marciano decided against it and never seriously considered a comeback again. [24]

After his retirement, Marciano entered the world of television, first hosting a weekly boxing show on TV in 1961 and later appearing in the Combat! episode "Masquerade". For a brief period, he worked as a troubleshooting referee in wrestling (Marciano was a good wrestler in high school). He continued as a referee and boxing commentator in boxing matches for many years. He was also active in business as a partner and vice president of Papa Luigi Spaghetti Dens, a San Francisco-based franchise company formed by Joe Kearns and James Braly.

Marciano had two children—a daughter, Mary Anne (born 1952), who died on June 3, 2011, of complications from a respiratory illness [25] and a son, Rocco Kevin (born 1968). Mary Anne had several run-ins with the law in Florida in the 1980s and 1990s, getting arrested and charged with assault and armed robbery after previously serving jail time for cocaine possession. [26] Joey Marciano, a professional baseball player, is a cousin twice removed. [27]

In late July 1969, shortly before his death, Marciano participated in the filming of The Superfight: Marciano vs. Ali . The two boxers were filmed sparring, then the film was edited to match a computer simulation of a hypothetical fight between them, each in his prime. It aired on January 20, 1970, with one version having Marciano winning and the second version having Ali winning. [28]

Religious beliefs

Marciano was a devout Catholic [29] and often attended Catholic mass during training and before a fight. [30] He once stated "the biggest thrill I can think of would be an audience with the Pope". [31]

Death

On August 31, 1969 (the day before his 46th birthday), Marciano was a passenger in a small private plane, a Cessna 172 [32] heading to Des Moines, Iowa from Chicago Midway. It was night and bad weather had set in. The pilot, Glenn Belz, had only 231 total hours of flying time, 35 of them at night, and had no instrument rating. Belz tried to land the plane at a small airfield outside Newton, Iowa but the aircraft hit a tree two miles short of the runway. Flying with Marciano in the back seat was Frankie Farrell, 28, the oldest son of organized crime figure Lew Farrell. [33] Marciano, Belz and Farrell were killed on impact. [33] [34] [nb 2]

The National Transportation Safety Board report said, "The pilot attempted an operation exceeding his experience and ability level, continued visual flight rules under adverse weather conditions and experienced spatial disorientation in the last moments of the flight." [35] [36] Marciano was on his way to give a speech to support his friend's son and there was a surprise birthday celebration waiting for him. He had hoped to return in the early morning for his 46th birthday celebration with his wife. He was coming from a dinner in Chicago at STP CEO Andy Granatelli's home. [37]

Marciano is interred in a crypt at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His wife Barbara Marciano died five years later at the age of 46 due to lung cancer, and is entombed next to him. [38]

Legacy

Marciano with Boston Mayor John F. Collins (center-right) and singer Jimmy Durante (right), circa 1968 Unidentified man, boxer Rocky Marciano, Mayor John F. Collins, and singer Jimmy Durante (10559562993).jpg
Marciano with Boston Mayor John F. Collins (center-right) and singer Jimmy Durante (right), circa 1968

Marciano holds the record with heavyweight Brian Nielsen for the longest undefeated streak by a heavyweight. [39] He is also the only world heavyweight champion to go undefeated throughout his professional career. Although heavyweight champion Gene Tunney never suffered a defeat at heavyweight and retired as champion, he lost one career fight at light heavyweight, and his longest win streak was 32, with his overall record being 82-1-4(D)-1(NC). Marciano also has the highest knockout percentage of any heavyweight champion in history (over the period of a career) with 87.76%. In his professional career, he was only knocked down twice. The first occurred in his first title fight against Jersey Joe Walcott, and the second occurred against Archie Moore.

Despite his perfect record and retiring as champion, Marciano has sometimes been criticized for the allegedly low quality of opposition he faced during his career. [40] At the time of his first fight with Roland La Starza, some experts believed it was La Starza and not Marciano who deserved the decision. [41]

These criticisms notwithstanding, over the decades Marciano has been ranked highly in several all-time boxing lists. In December 1962, a Ring poll of 40 boxing experts placed Marciano as the seventh-best heavyweight of all time. Boxing historian Charlie Rose rated Marciano as the eight-best heavyweight of all time in 1968, [42] while John McCallum's survey of boxing historians and writers listed him as the ninth-best all-timer in the division. [43] In 1971, Nat Fleischer, a boxing historian and founder of The Ring, named Marciano as the 10th all-time greatest heavyweight champion. [44]

In 1998, The Ring named Marciano as the sixth greatest heavyweight champion ever. In 2002, The Ring placed him at number 12 on the list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years. In 2003, The Ring rated Marciano number 14 on the list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. In 2005, he was named the fifth greatest heavyweight of all time by the International Boxing Research Organization. [45] In 2007, on ESPN.com's list of the 50 Greatest Boxers of All Time, Marciano was ranked number 14, and was the 5th highest ranked heavyweight, behind (in order) Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, Jack Johnson, and Jack Dempsey. [46]

Marciano's punch was tested and it was featured in the December 1963 issue of Boxing Illustrated: "Marciano's knockout blow packs more explosive energy than an armor-piercing bullet and represents as much energy as would be required to spot lift 1000 pounds one foot off the ground." [47] [48]

Marciano was named fighter of the year by The Ring three times. His three championship fights between 1952 and 1954 were named fights of the year by the magazine. Marciano won the BWAA Sugar Ray Robinson Award (then known as the Edward J. Neil Tropy) in 1952. In 2006, an ESPN poll voted Marciano's 1952 championship bout against Walcott as the greatest knockout ever. Marciano also received the Hickok Belt for top professional athlete of the year in 1952. Murray Goodman later recalled that Ray Hickok, founder of the award, also presented Rocky with a hundred miniature boxing gloves, which Rocky was selling a week later for $1 a pair. [49] In 1955, he was voted the second most important American athlete of the year.

Marciano is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.

A bronze statue of Marciano was planned for a 2009 completion date in his hometown of Brockton, Massachusetts, as a gift to the city by the World Boxing Council. The artist, Mario Rendon, head of the Instituto Universitario de las Bellas Artes in Colima, Mexico, was selected to sculpt the statue. [50] After years of delays in the planning stages, [51] the groundbreaking for the statue was held on April 1, 2012, on the grounds of Brockton High School. [52] The statue was officially unveiled on September 23, 2012, which was the 60th anniversary of Marciano winning the world heavyweight title. [53] A bronze statue of Marciano was also erected in Ripa Teatina, Italy, [54] to celebrate the birthplace of Marciano's father.

Professional boxing record

49 fights49 wins0 losses
By knockout430
By decision60
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
49Win49–0 Archie Moore KO9 (15), 1:19Sep 21, 1955Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
48Win48–0 Don Cockell TKO9 (15), 0:54May 16, 1955 Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California, U.S.Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
47Win47–0 Ezzard Charles KO8 (15), 2:36 Sep 17, 1954 Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
46Win46–0 Ezzard Charles UD15 Jun 17, 1954 Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
45Win45–0 Roland La Starza TKO11 (15) Sep 24, 1953 Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
44Win44–0 Jersey Joe Walcott KO1 (15), 2:25 May 15, 1953 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
43Win43–0 Jersey Joe Walcott KO13 (15), 0:43 Sep 23, 1952 Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Won NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles
42Win42–0 Harry Matthews KO2 (10), 2:04Jul 28, 1952 Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
41Win41–0Bernie ReynoldsKO3 (10), 2:21May 12, 1952Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
40Win40–0Gino BuonvinoKO2 (10), 1:35Apr 21, 1952Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
39Win39–0 Lee Savold RTD6 (10), 3:00Feb 13, 1952Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
38Win38–0 Joe Louis TKO8 (10)Oct 26, 1951Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
37Win37–0Freddie BeshoreKO4 (10), 0:50Aug 27, 1951 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
36Win36–0 Rex Layne KO6 (10), 0:35Jul 12, 1951Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
35Win35–0 Willis Applegate UD10Apr 30, 1951Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
34Win34–0Art HenriTKO9 (10), 2:51Mar 26, 1951Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
33Win33–0Harold MitchellTKO2 (10), 2:45Mar 20, 1951Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
32Win32–0Keene SimmonsTKO8 (10), 2:54Jan 29, 1951Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
31Win31–0Bill WilsonTKO1 (10), 1:50Dec 18, 1950Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
30Win30–0 Ted Lowry UD10Nov 13, 1950Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
29Win29–0Johnny ShkorTKO6 (10), 1:28Sep 18, 1950Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
28Win28–0Gino BuonvinoTKO10 (10), 0:25Jul 10, 1950 Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
27Win27–0Eldridge EatmanTKO3 (10)Jun 5, 1950Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
26Win26–0 Roland La Starza SD10 Mar 24, 1950 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
25Win25–0 Carmine Vingo KO6 (10), 1:46Dec 30, 1949Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
24Win24–0Phil MuscatoTKO5 (10), 1:15Dec 19, 1949Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
23Win23–0Pat RichardsTKO2 (8), 0:39Dec 2, 1949 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
22Win22–0Joe DominicKO2 (10), 2:26Nov 7, 1949Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
21Win21–0 Ted Lowry UD10Oct 10, 1949Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
20Win20–0Tommy DiGiorgioKO4 (10), 2:04Sep 26, 1949Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
19Win19–0Pete LouthisKO3 (10)Aug 16, 1949New Page Arena, New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S.
18Win18–0 Harry Haft KO3 (10), 2:21Jul 18, 1949Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
17Win17–0Don MogardUD10May 23, 1949Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
16Win16–0Jimmy EvansTKO3 (10)May 2, 1949Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
15Win15–0Jimmy WallsKO3 (10), 2:44Apr 11, 1949Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
14Win14–0Artie DonatoKO1 (10), 0:33Mar 28, 1949Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
13Win13–0Johnny PretzieTKO5 (10), 1:46Mar 21, 1949Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
12Win12–0Gilley FerronTKO2 (6), 2:21Dec 14, 1948 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
11Win11–0James Patrick ConnollyTKO1 (8), 1:57Nov 29, 1948Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
10Win10–0Bob JeffersonTKO2 (6), 2:30Oct 4, 1948Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
9Win9–0Gilbert CardoneKO1 (4), 0:36Sep 30, 1948 Uline Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.
8Win8–0Bill HardemanKO1 (6)Sep 20, 1948Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
7Win7–0Humphrey JacksonKO1 (6), 1:08Sep 13, 1948Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
6Win6–0Jimmy WeeksTKO1 (6), 2:50Aug 30, 1948Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
5Win5–0Eddie RossKO1 (6), 1:03Aug 23, 1948Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
4Win4–0Bobby QuinnKO3 (4), 0:22Aug 9, 1948Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
3Win3–0John EdwardsKO1 (4), 1:19Jul 19, 1948Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
2Win2–0Harry BilazarianTKO1 (4)Jul 12, 1948 Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
1Win1–0Lee EppersonKO3 (4), 0:42Mar 17, 1947 Valley Arena Gardens, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Also reported about 5 ft 9 in [2]
  2. ↑ When rescuers reached the crashed aircraft, they saw Marciano's body still strapped in a seat. Upon hearing what had happened, people in boxing remembered what was said about Stanley Ketchel after Ketchel had been shot dead: "Start counting ten over him. He'll get up." [34]

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Harry Haft was a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp where he boxed fellow inmates to survive. He was briefly a professional boxer in post-war Germany, and boxed as a light heavyweight in the United States from 1948–1949.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abe Simon</span> American boxer

Abraham Simon was an American professional heavyweight boxer. He fought Joe Louis for the world heavyweight title twice. He was managed for most of his career by Jimmy Johnston, and trained by Freddie Brown. In 1940, he was rated the sixth best heavyweight in the world, and would rise higher in the next two years. After retiring, he became an actor and had roles in two of America's best-known movies about boxers, Academy Award winner On the Waterfront and Requiem for a Heavyweight.

Carmine Vingo (boxer), was a world ranked heavyweight boxer best remembered for his career-ending bout with future world heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano, cumulating in his knockout and resulting brain injury.

Heavyweight champions Rocky Marciano and Jersey Joe Walcott fought two historic boxing matches in 1952 and 1953. The first fight saw Marciano, the undefeated challenger, take on the world heavyweight champion Jersey Joe in a hard-fought championship fight. The fight culminated in a 13th round knockout scored by Marciano, in a major comeback victory after Walcott stacked up a wide lead throughout the majority of the bout. The fight and the final round were ranked as 1952's fight and round of the year respectively by The Ring, and is now considered one of the greatest heavyweight championship bouts of all time.

Rocky Marciano and Roland La Starza fought each other on two separate occasions, the first time in 1950 both as undefeated contenders and the second in a heavyweight championship fight in 1953. Rocky won both fights, the first by a narrow split decision and the second via technical knockout. The first fight is regarded as one of Marciano's closest fights, and the second was declared 1953's Fight of the Year by The Ring.

References

  1. ↑ IBHOF "; ESPN ; The Ring (magazine) ; The Guardian ; Los Angeles Times ; Other Press ; Sports Illustrated ; The Sydney Morning Herald ; El Paso Times ; Il Sole 24 Ore ; The Boxing channel ; NYFIGHTS ; BOXINGNEWS24 ; Boxing Writers ; SPORTINGNEWS ; THE ENTERPRISE ; Common reader ; Rodney Ohebesion ; Kids Britannica ; Boxingnews24 ; Boxeringweb ; Igor Vitale ; Il Guerriero[url=http://win.ilguerriero.it/pugilato/articoli/marciano.htm]; Il foglio ; Latestatamagazine |titolo=La Testatamagazine;
    • Rocky Marciano: "The Brockton Blockbuster" by John Jarrett. May 15 2018.;
    • Unbeaten: Rocky Marciano's Fight for Perfection in a Crooked World by Mike Stanton. June 26, 2018.;
    • Rocky Marciano"The King" by Giuliano Orlando. December 12, 2014.;
    • Rocky Marciano: The Rock of His Times (Sport and Society) by Russell Sullivan. August 1, 2002.;
    • Riflessioni sul pugilato" By Giorgio Vespignani Moreno Barbi. December 20, 2012.;
    • Rocky Marciano - Il cammpione mai sconfitto" By Anthony Valenti. Gennaio 5, 2022.;
    • Da Rocco Marchegiano a Rocky Marciano - 60 anni di ring. By Ripa Teatina Municipal authorities. September 2, 2007.;
    • Gli anni di Rocky: Storia dei pesi massimi dal 1942 al 1955 By Maurizio Gandolfi. August 3, 2022.;
    • Rocky Marciano blues - Una storia in quindici round e dodici battute" By Marco Pastonesi. August 25, 2023.;
    • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONGRESSIONAL RECORD VOLUME 154 PART 5. September 2008.
  2. ↑ Redemption: The Life & Death of Rocky Marciano - Volume 1 by John Cameron, March 2013.
  3. ↑
    • 1966 Rocky marciano interview;
    • "The best heavyweights under 6-foot". August 4, 2013.
    • Rocky Marciano: "The Brockton Blockbuster" by John Jarrett. May 15, 2018.;
    • Unbeaten: Rocky Marciano's Fight for Perfection in a Crooked World by Mike Stanton. June 26, 2018.;
    • Rocky Marciano"The King" by Giuliano Orlando. December 12, 2014.;
    • Rocky Marciano: The Rock of His Times (Sport and Society) by Russell Sullivan. August 1, 2002.;
    • Riflessioni sul pugilato" By Giorgio Vespignani Moreno Barbi. December 20, 2012.;
  4. ↑ (February 4, 2014). "boxing-hall-of-fame-las-vegas-nv-presents-boxing-history-rocky-marciano".
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ "Highest Knockout-To-Win & Knockout-To-Beat-Opponent Percentage in World Heavyweight Title Fights" . Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  7. ↑ "The 100 Greatest Punchers of All-Time! - BoxRec". Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  8. 1 2 "Rocky Marciano". Biography. July 23, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  9. ↑ Casey Sherman & Dave Wedge: The Rocky Road of Peter Marciano . Boston, 2018,
  10. ↑ "Charles Atlas: Muscle Man" by Jonathan Black, Smithsonian magazine, August 2009.
  11. ↑ Skehan 1977, p. 32.
  12. ↑ Skehan 1977, p. 39.
  13. ↑ Skehan 1977, p. 73.
  14. ↑ "Saint Paul and Tommy Hubert on Arena Card". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. March 17, 1947. p. 7.
  15. ↑ Sullivan, Russell (2002). "Holyoke". Rocky Marciano: The Rock of His Times. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press. pp. 9–12. ISBN   9780252027635.
  16. ↑ Skehan 1977, p. 69.
  17. ↑ Skehan 1977, p. 70.
  18. ↑ Skehan 1977, p. 66.
  19. ↑ Fitzgerald, Ed (January 1953). "Rocky Marciano – The Blockbuster from Brockton". thesportgallery.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2009. Retrieved October 23, 2007.
  20. ↑ "Rocky Marciano vs. Carmine Vingo - BoxRec". boxrec.com. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  21. ↑ Rocky Marchiano KO's Joe Louis. Eugene Register-Guard – October 26, 1951
  22. ↑ Will Hammock (June 5, 2010). "The Champ: County to honor legendary boxer Charles today Archived September 6, 2015, at the Wayback Machine ." Gwinnett Daily Post
  23. ↑ Mullan, Harry (1996). Boxing: The Definitive Illustrated Guide to World Boxing. London, England: Carlton Books. p. 81. ISBN   0-7858-0641-5.
  24. ↑ Skehan 1977, p. 257.
  25. ↑ Papadopoulos, Maria. "Daughter of Brockton boxer Rocky Marciano dies at 58". Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Marciano's Daughter Hit In Losing Fights Drug Conviction Latest Blow For Woman Who Blames Herself".
  27. ↑ Monagan, Matt (March 7, 2023). "The Team Italy pitcher related to Rocky". MLB.com. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Ali vs. Marciano: Who wins?". The Enterprise . September 1, 2009. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  29. ↑ "LISTSERV 16.5 - CSSR Archives". listserv.utk.edu.
  30. ↑ "Why boxing was the most Catholic sport for almost 100 years". America Magazine. March 8, 2019.
  31. ↑ Sullivan, Russell (August 2002). Rocky Marciano: The Rock of His Times. University of Illinois Press. ISBN   9780252027635.
  32. ↑ Fights and Flights... The Crash of Rocky Marciano's Cessna. Check-six.com (August 31, 1969). Retrieved on 2012-08-09.
  33. 1 2 "Rocky Marciano". www.check-six.com.
  34. 1 2 Jones, Ken; Smith, Chris (1990). Boxing The Champions. The Crowood Press. p. 51.
  35. ↑ Thirty Fifth Anniversary Of The Death Of Rocky Marciano Archived April 18, 2012, at the Wayback Machine . Eastsideboxing.com. Retrieved on August 9, 2012.
  36. ↑ Rocky Marciano raised money for the fight against Muscular Dystrophy. [Archive] – Boxing Forum. Boxingscene.com. Retrieved on August 9, 2012.
  37. ↑ Fannon-Langton, Diane (September 7, 2021). "Time Machine: Iowa's connections to boxing superstar Rocky Marciano". The Gazette. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Rocky Marciano". www.check-six.com. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  39. ↑ "The fans' top 5 greatest boxers of all time". NBC Sports. September 18, 2009. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  40. ↑ Durant, John. 1971. The Heavyweight Champions. Hastings House.
  41. ↑ Boxing in America: An Autopsy. Abc-Clio. June 21, 2012. ISBN   9780313379734.
  42. ↑ "Charley Rose top 10 in the 8 Traditional divisions".
  43. ↑ Heavyweight lists from 3 historical heavyweights. in Boxing History Forum. Boxinguniverse.yuku.com. Retrieved on August 9, 2012.
  44. ↑ Nat Fleischer (September 1971). "Clay An All-Time Top 10? Definitely No!". The Ring Online. Archived from the original on January 13, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2007.
  45. ↑ "All Time Rankings". International Boxing Research Organization. March 2005. Archived from the original on December 21, 2005. Retrieved January 18, 2007.
  46. ↑ Mulvaney, Kieran. "Who's the Greatest?". ESPN. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  47. ↑ A picture of Marciano's punch test at Kolumbus.fi Archived February 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved on August 9, 2012.
  48. ↑ A further picture of Marciano's punch test at Kolumbus.fi Archived February 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved on August 9, 2012.
  49. ↑ In this Corner – Boxing's Legendary Heavyweights (Documentary), HBO.
  50. ↑ Papadopoulos, Maria. (July 10, 2008) Where to put Rocky? – Brockton, MA – The Enterprise. Enterprisenews.com. Retrieved on 2012-08-09.
  51. ↑ Papadopoulos, Maria. (November 18, 2010) Brockton's Rocky Marciano Statue Committee wants meeting with World Boxing Council – Taunton, MA – Taunton Daily Gazette Archived September 29, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . Tauntongazette.com. Retrieved on 2012-08-09.
  52. ↑ Brockton breaks ground for Rocky Marciano statue – Brockton, MA – The Enterprise. Enterprisenews.com (April 1, 2012). Retrieved on 2012-08-09.
  53. ↑ "Rocky Marciano Statue". Archived from the original on November 4, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  54. ↑ "Rocky Marciano". www.italyheritage.com.

Bibliography

Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by NYSAC heavyweight champion
September 23, 1952 – April 27, 1956
Retired		Vacant
Title next held by
Floyd Patterson
NBA heavyweight champion
September 23, 1952 – April 27, 1956
Retired
The Ring heavyweight champion
September 23, 1952 – April 27, 1956
Retired
Undisputed heavyweight champion
September 23, 1952 – April 27, 1956
Retired
Records
Preceded by
Max Baer
Age 50
 Youngest world heavyweight champion
to have died
Age 45
August 31, 1969 – December 30, 1970		Succeeded by
Sonny Liston
c. age 38 to 40
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