Rocky Marciano

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Rocky Marciano
File:Rocky Marciano.jpg
Born
Rocco Francis Marchegiano

(1923-09-01)September 1, 1923
Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedAugust 31, 1969(1969-08-31) (aged 45)
Near Newton, Iowa, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other names
  • The Brockton Blockbuster
  • The Rock from Brockton
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height5 ft 10+1⁄2 in (179 cm)
Reach68 in (173 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights49
Wins49
Wins by KO43
Losses0

Rocky Marciano (born Rocco Francis Marchegiano; September 1, 1923 – August 31, 1969) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1947 to 1955, and held the world heavyweight title from 1952 to 1956. He went undefeated in his career and defended the title six times, against Jersey Joe Walcott, Roland La Starza, Ezzard Charles (twice), Don Cockell, and Archie Moore.

Known for his relentless fighting style, stamina, and an iron chin, Marciano has been ranked by many boxing historians as one of the best heavyweight boxers of all time.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] His knockout-to-win percentage of 87.75 remains one of the highest in heavyweight boxing history.

Early life

Marciano was born and raised on the south side of Brockton, Massachusetts, to Pierino Marchegiano and Pasqualina Picciuto. Both of his parents were immigrants from Italy. His father was from Ripa Teatina, Abruzzo, while his mother was from San Bartolomeo in Galdo, Campania. Rocky had two brothers, Peter and Louis and three sisters, Alice, Concetta, and Elizabeth. When he was about eighteen months old, Marciano contracted pneumonia, from which he almost died.

In his youth, he played baseball with his brother Sonny and David Rooslet (a neighborhood friend of Marciano's), worked out on homemade weightlifting equipment (later in his life, Marciano was also a client of Charles Atlas)[9] 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 ditch digger, railroad layer,[10] and as a shoemaker. Rocky was also 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.[11]

Amateur career

Marciano's amateur record was 8–4.[12] While awaiting discharge, Marciano, representing the army, won the 1946 Amateur Armed Forces boxing tournament. His amateur career was interrupted on March 17, 1947, when Marciano stepped into the ring as a professional competitor. That night, he knocked out 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 beaten by Coley Wallace.[13] 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.[14]

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.[15] 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 Bilizarian (3–6–0). He won his first sixteen 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 (Italian pronunciation: [markeˈdʒaːno]). The ring announcer in Providence, Rhode Island, could not pronounce Marchegiano, so Marciano's handler, Al Weill, suggested they create a pseudonym. The first suggestion was Rocky Mack, which Marciano rejected. He decided to go with the more Italian-sounding "Marciano"[16] (/mərˈsiɑːnoʊ/, Italian pronunciation: [marˈtʃaːno]).

Marciano won three more fights by knockout and then he met Ted Lowry (58–48–9). Marciano kept his winning streak alive by beating Lowry by unanimous decision. Four more knockout wins followed, including a five-rounder on December 19, 1949, with Phil Muscato (56–20–0), an experienced heavyweight from Buffalo, New York, and the first "name fighter" Marciano would face. Three weeks after that fight, Marciano beat Carmine Vingo (16–1–0) by a fifth-round knockout in New York that almost killed Vingo.

Marciano vs. 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, 5–5 and 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 9–6 for Marciano. Both boxers were undefeated at the time of the fight, with La Starza's record at 37–0.

Subsequent bouts

Marciano won three more knockouts in a row before a rematch with Lowry (61–56–10), which Marciano again won by unanimous decision. After that, he won four more by knockout, and, after a decision over Red Applegate (11–14–2) in late April 1951, he was showcased on national television for the first time, when he knocked 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 13-to-10 underdog.[17] Marciano upset Louis in what was 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 an opportunity to win the title.

Championship fights

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; but in the thirteenth, Walcott used his trademark feint to set up his right hand, but Marciano's "Suzie Q" landed first. Marciano landed a glancing right hook as Walcott slumped 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 to the middle rounds, Marciano won the rematch by a technical knockout in the eleventh round.

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 fifteen rounds against Marciano.[18] Marciano won the first fight on points and the second 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.[19] He finished his career at 49-0.

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.[20]

After his retirement, Marciano entered the world of television, first appearing in the Combat! episode "Masquerade" and then hosting a weekly boxing show on TV in 1961. 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. He built a custom home at 641 NW 24 Street in Wilton Manors, Florida, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale. The house still stands today.

In late July 1969, shortly before his death, Marciano participated in the filming of the fantasy 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 their prime. It aired on January 20, 1970, with one version having Marciano winning and the second version having Ali winning.

Death

Main article: 1969 Newton Cessna 172 crash

On August 31, 1969, on the eve of his 46th birthday, Marciano was a passenger in a small private plane, a Cessna 172[21] headed to Des Moines, Iowa. It was at night and bad weather had set in. The pilot, Glenn Belz, had only 231 total hours of flying time, only 35 of them at night, and was not certified to fly in instrument meteorological conditions. Belz tried to set the plane down at a small airfield outside Newton, Iowa, but hit a tree two miles short of the runway. Flying with Marciano, in the back seat, was Frankie Farrell, 28, the oldest son of Lew Farrell, a former boxer who had known Marciano since childhood.[22] Marciano, Belz and Farrell were killed on impact.[23][24][a]

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."[25][26] 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.[citation needed]

He is interred in a crypt at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His wife died five years after him at the age of 46 due to lung cancer, and is entombed next to him. His father died in March 1972 and his mother in early January 1986.[citation needed]

Fighting style

Marciano is commonly remembered as a swarmer due to his use of constant pressure in the ring, but he has also been called a slugger and a brawler; he was essentially all three. A late starter in the sport with little training and a short amateur career, he lacked the skills and finesse of most heavyweight champions, but he made up for it in brute force and raw power. He was notorious early in his career for his punching power, holding eleven first-round knockouts to his name. As the opposition got better, Marciano relied on his incredible stamina, relentlessness, and ability to fight rough and swarm on the inside to get him through fights just as much as the power. He would sometimes go entire fights being pummeled by opponents such as Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles, and Archie Moore but would come on strong as his opponent faded. He was also noted for hitting his opposition on their arms while they were blocking. Although this didn't score points, over the rounds it made their arms numb and essentially useless. Rocky faced criticism over his career for poor foot movement and for taking too many shots: he utilized weaving but would often be caught coming in. This, however, did not matter because he was able to take the shots. He is now known for having one of the best chins in boxing history, being knocked down just twice in his entire career, both times more to do with poor balancing rather than being dazed.[citation needed]

Legacy

Rocky Marciano was the inspiration for the name, iconography, and fighting style of the title character Rocky Balboa from Sylvester Stallone's American classic Rocky movie series. The character Rocky dreams of becoming like his idol Rocky Marciano and later in the series even gifts his son a valuable possession (a boxing glove necklace made from a cuff link) given to him by his trainer Mickey, who had received it from Marciano.

In 1971, Nat Fleischer, perhaps boxing's most famous historian and also editor and founder of Ring magazine, named Marciano as the all-time 10th greatest Heavyweight Champion.[27] Nat Fleischer wrote that Marciano was "crude, wild swinging, awkward, and missed heavily. In his bout with light heavyweight Champion Archie Moore, for example, he missed almost two-thirds of the fifty odd punches he tossed when he had Archie against the ropes, a perfect target for the kill."

John Durant, author of The Heavyweight Champions, wrote in 1971 (pg. 123) "Critics do not rate Rocky with the great ones, like Jeffries, Johnson, Dempsey, Tunney, and Louis. He never faced top fighters like they did. It was not Rocky's fault, of course, that there was not much talent when he was fighting. He fought them all and that is what a champion is supposed to do."

In December 1962, a Ring magazine poll of 40 boxing experts had Jack Dempsey rated the #1 heavyweight of all time, with Joe Louis 2nd, Jack Johnson 3rd and Marciano 7th. Two boxing historians, Herb Goldman and Charley Rose, and John McCallum's Survey of Old Timers (survey of a group of historians and writers), rated Marciano at #7, #8 and #9 of greatest heavyweights of all time respectively.[28][29]

In 1998, Ring named Marciano as the 6th greatest heavyweight champion ever. In 2002, Ring numbered Marciano at #12 on the list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years. In 2003, Ring rated Marciano #14 on the list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. In 2005, Marciano was named the fifth greatest heavyweight of all time by the International Boxing Research Organization.[30] A 1977 ranking by Ring listed Marciano as the greatest Italian American fighter. In 2007, on ESPN.com's list of the 50 Greatest Boxers of All Time, Marciano was ranked #14.

Marciano holds the record with heavyweight Brian Nielsen for the longest undefeated streak by a heavyweight.[citation needed] He also has the record for being the only world heavyweight champion to go undefeated throughout his career. Willie Pep, a featherweight, had a perfect 62–0 record before he was defeated once, followed by a 72–0–1 undefeated streak. Packy McFarland was a lightweight (fighting between 1904–1915) who lost his first fight and then won his next 98, though he never won the lightweight title. Heavyweight champion Gene Tunney never suffered a defeat at heavyweight and retired as champion, although he did lose one fight at light heavyweight.

Throughout history, only a few boxers have retired as undefeated world champions. As of 2015 apart from Marciano only Michael Loewe, Pichit Sitbangprachan, Harry Simon, Sven Ottke, Joe Calzaghe, Edwin Valero and Floyd Mayweather Jr. retired with a perfect record containing neither defeats nor draws. Yet, most of those fighters had asterisks next to those unbeaten records. Simon ended his career due to a prison sentence. Valero committed suicide while still an active champion. Ottke won countless dubious decisions, and Loewe's career ended due to injury. Only Calzaghe's record escaped much controversy, and only Mayweather has managed to match Marciano's 49–0 record.

Marciano has the highest knockout percentage of any heavyweight champion in history with 87.76%. He was knocked down to the canvas only twice in his professional career. The first occurred in his first championship against Jersey Joe Walcott, 38, and the second occurred against Archie Moore, 38.

On the bootleg tapes of the Beatles in session in 1965 recording "Think For Yourself", John Lennon can be heard reflecting and joking about a meeting he had with Marciano, in which Marciano talked about Joe Louis.[citation needed]

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 armour-piercing bullet and represents as much energy as would be required to spot lift 1000 pounds one foot off the ground."[31][32]

Marciano was named fighter of the year by Ring three times. His three championship fights between 1952–54 were named fights of the year by that magazine. Marciano won the Sugar Ray Robinson Award 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. 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, to be 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.[33] After years of delays in the planning stages,[34] the groundbreaking for the statue was held on April 1, 2012, on the grounds of Brockton High School.[35] The statue was officially unveiled on September 23, 2012, which was the 60th anniversary of Marciano winning the World Heavyweight title.[36] A bronze statue of Marciano was also erected in Ripa Teatina, Italy,[37] to celebrate the birthplace of Marciano's father.

Professional boxing record

49 fights 49 wins 0 losses
By knockout 43 0
By decision 6 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
49 Win 49–0 United States Archie Moore KO 9 (15), 1:19 Sep 21, 1955 United States Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained The Ring and world heavyweight titles
48 Win 48–0 United Kingdom Don Cockell TKO 9 (15), 0:54 May 16, 1955 United States Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California, U.S. Retained The Ring and world heavyweight titles
47 Win 47–0 United States Ezzard Charles KO 8 (15), 2:36 Sep 17, 1954 United States Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained The Ring and world heavyweight titles
46 Win 46–0 United States Ezzard Charles UD 15 Jun 17, 1954 United States Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained The Ring and world heavyweight titles
45 Win 45–0 United States Roland La Starza TKO 11 (15) Sep 24, 1953 United States Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained The Ring and world heavyweight titles
44 Win 44–0 United States Jersey Joe Walcott KO 1 (15), 2:25 May 15, 1953 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Retained The Ring and world heavyweight titles
43 Win 43–0 United States Jersey Joe Walcott KO 13 (15), 0:43 Sep 23, 1952 United States Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Won The Ring and world heavyweight titles
42 Win 42–0 United States Harry Matthews KO 2 (10), 2:04 Jul 28, 1952 United States Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
41 Win 41–0 United States Bernie Reynolds KO 3 (10), 2:21 May 12, 1952 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
40 Win 40–0 Italy Gino Buonvino KO 2 (10), 1:35 Apr 21, 1952 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
39 Win 39–0 United States Lee Savold RTD 6 (10), 3:00 Feb 13, 1952 United States Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
38 Win 38–0 United States Joe Louis TKO 8 (10) Oct 26, 1951 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
37 Win 37–0 United States Freddie Beshore KO 4 (10), 0:50 Aug 27, 1951 United States Boston Garden, Boston, Massuchusetts, U.S.
36 Win 36–0 United States Rex Layne KO 6 (10), 0:35 Jul 12, 1951 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
35 Win 35–0 United States Willis Applegate UD 10 Apr 30, 1951 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
34 Win 34–0 United States Art Henri TKO 9 (10), 2:51 Mar 26, 1951 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
33 Win 33–0 United States Harold Mitchell TKO 2 (10), 2:45 Mar 20, 1951 United States Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
32 Win 32–0 United States Keene Simmons TKO 8 (10), 2:54 Jan 29, 1951 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
31 Win 31–0 United States Bill Wilson TKO 1 (10), 1:50 Dec 18, 1950 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
30 Win 30–0 United States Ted Lowry UD 10 Nov 13, 1950 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
29 Win 29–0 United States Johnny Shkor TKO 6 (10), 1:28 Sep 18, 1950 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
28 Win 28–0 Italy Gino Buonvino TKO 10 (10), 0:25 Jul 10, 1950 United States Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
27 Win 27–0 United States Eldridge Eatman TKO 3 (10) Jun 5, 1950 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
26 Win 26–0 United States Roland La Starza SD 10 Mar 24, 1950 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
25 Win 25–0 United States Carmine Vingo KO 6 (10), 1:46 Dec 30, 1949 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
24 Win 24–0 United States Phil Muscato TKO 5 (10), 1:15 Dec 19, 1949 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
23 Win 23–0 United States Pat Richards TKO 2 (8), 0:39 Dec 2, 1949 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
22 Win 22–0 United States Joe Dominic KO 2 (10), 2:26 Nov 7, 1949 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
21 Win 21–0 United States Ted Lowry UD 10 Oct 10, 1949 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
20 Win 20–0 United States Tommy DiGiorgio KO 4 (10), 2:04 Sep 26, 1949 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
19 Win 19–0 United States Pete Louthis KO 3 (10) Aug 16, 1949 United States New Page Arena, New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 Poland Harry Haft KO 3 (10), 2:21 Jul 18, 1949 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Canada Don Mogard UD 10 May 23, 1949 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 United States Jimmy Evans TKO 3 (10) May 2, 1949 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 United States Jimmy Walls KO 3 (10), 2:44 Apr 11, 1949 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 United States Artie Donato KO 1 (10), 0:33 Mar 28, 1949 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 United States Johnny Pretzie TKO 5 (10), 1:46 Mar 21, 1949 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 United States Gilley Ferron TKO 2 (6), 2:21 Dec 14, 1948 United States Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 United States James Patrick Connolly TKO 1 (8), 1:57 Nov 29, 1948 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 United States Bob Jefferson TKO 2 (6), 2:30 Oct 4, 1948 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 United States Gilbert Cardone KO 1 (4), 0:36 Sep 30, 1948 United States Uline Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.
8 Win 8–0 United States Bill Hardeman KO 1 (6) Sep 20, 1948 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 United States Humphrey Jackson KO 1 (6), 1:08 Sep 13, 1948 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 United States Jimmy Weeks TKO 1 (6), 2:50 Aug 30, 1948 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Canada Eddie Ross KO 1 (6), 1:03 Aug 23, 1948 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 United States Bobby Quinn KO 3 (4), 0:22 Aug 9, 1948 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 United States John Edwards KO 1 (4), 1:19 Jul 19, 1948 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 United States Harry Bilzerian TKO 1 (4) Jul 12, 1948 United States Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 United States Lee Epperson KO 3 (4), 0:42 Mar 17, 1947 United States Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S. Professional debut

Titles in boxing

World titles
Preceded by The Ring heavyweight champion
September 23, 1952 – April 27, 1956
Retired 		Vacant
Title next held by
Floyd Patterson
World heavyweight champion
September 23, 1952 – April 27, 1956
Retired

See also

Notes

  1. ^ 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 Ketchell had been shot dead: "Start counting ten over him. He'll get up."[24]

References

  1. ^ Sugar, Bert Randolph; Atlas, Teddy (2011-01-01). The Ultimate Book of Boxing Lists. Running Press. ISBN 0762441674.
  2. ^ "ESPN.com: ALL-TIME GREATEST BOXERS". espn.go.com. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  3. ^ Roberts, James B.; Skutt, Alexander G. (2006-01-01). The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall of Fame Official Record Book. McBooks Press. ISBN 9781590131213.
  4. ^ "The Mike Casey Archive | The Cyber Boxing Zone". www.cyberboxingzone.com. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  5. ^ Sullivan, Russell (2002-01-01). Rocky Marciano: The Rock of His Times. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 9780252027635.
  6. ^ "Heavyweight". IBRO. 2006-09-09. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  7. ^ Sugar, Bert Randolph (2003-01-01). Bert Sugar on Boxing: The Best of the Sport's Most Notable Writer. Globe Pequot. ISBN 9781592280483.
  8. ^ "Boxing: Historians, Sportswriters, and Organizations Rankings of The Great Heavyweights". coxscorner.tripod.com. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  9. ^ "Charles Atlas: Muscle Man" by Jonathan Black, Smithsonian magazine, August 2009.
  10. ^ Skehan, p. 32
  11. ^ Skehan, p. 39
  12. ^ Skehan, p. 73
  13. ^ Skehan, p. 69
  14. ^ Skehan, p. 70
  15. ^ Skehan, p. 66
  16. ^ Ed Fitzgerald (January 1953)."Rocky Marciano – The Blockbuster from Brockton". Archived from the original on 2009-05-02. Retrieved 2007-10-23. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) . thesportgallery.com
  17. ^ Rocky Marchiano KO's Joe Louis. Eugene Register-Guard – October 26, 1951
  18. ^ Will Hammock (2010-06-05). "The Champ: County to honor legendary boxer Charles today." Gwinnett Daily Post
  19. ^ Mullan (1996). Boxing: The Definitive Illustrated Guide to World Boxing. London, England: Carlton Books. p. 81. ISBN 0-7858-0641-5.
  20. ^ Skehan, p. 257
  21. ^ Fights and Flights... The Crash of Rocky Marciano's Cessna. Check-six.com (1969-08-31). Retrieved on 2012-08-09.
  22. ^ http://www.check-six.com/Crash_Sites/MarcianoCessna.htm
  23. ^ http://www.check-six.com/Crash_Sites/MarcianoCessna.htm
  24. ^ a b Boxing The Champions. The Crowood Press. 1990. p. 51. {{cite book}}: Cite uses deprecated parameter |authors= (help)
  25. ^ Thirty Fifth Anniversary Of The Death Of Rocky Marciano. Eastsideboxing.com. Retrieved on 2012-08-09.
  26. ^ Rocky Marciano raised money for the fight against Muscular Dystrophy. [Archive] – Boxing Forum. Boxingscene.com. Retrieved on 2012-08-09.
  27. ^ Nat Fleischer (September 1971). "CLAY AN ALL-TIME TOP 10? DEFINITELY NO!". The Ring Online. Archived from the original on 2007-01-13. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
  28. ^ Heavyweight lists from 3 historical heavyweights. in Boxing History Forum. Boxinguniverse.yuku.com. Retrieved on 2012-08-09.
  29. ^ http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/rocky.htm
  30. ^ "All Time Rankings". International Boxing Research Organization. March 2005. Retrieved 2007-01-18.[dead link]
  31. ^ A picture of Marciano's punch test at Kolumbus.fi. Retrieved on 2012-08-09.
  32. ^ A further picture of Marciano's punch test at Kolumbus.fi. Retrieved on 2012-08-09.
  33. ^ Papadopoulos, Maria. (2008-07-10) Where to put Rocky? – Brockton, MA – The Enterprise. Enterprisenews.com. Retrieved on 2012-08-09.
  34. ^ Papadopoulos, Maria. (2010-11-18) Brockton's Rocky Marciano Statue Committee wants meeting with World Boxing Council – Taunton, MA – The Taunton Daily Gazette. Tauntongazette.com. Retrieved on 2012-08-09.
  35. ^ Brockton breaks ground for Rocky Marciano statue – Brockton, MA – The Enterprise. Enterprisenews.com (2012-04-01). Retrieved on 2012-08-09.
  36. ^ "Rocky Marciano Statue".
  37. ^ http://www.italyheritage.com/great-italians/sport/marciano-rocky.htm

Bibliography

  • Skehan, Everett M. (1977). Rocky Marciano: Biography of a First Son. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-395-25356-X.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Rocky Marciano.
Sporting positions
Preceded by Youngest Dying Heavyweight Champion
45
August 31, 1969 – December 30, 1970 		Succeeded by
Sonny Liston
circa 38

Template:Italian American Sports Hall of Fame

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