Rocky Marciano was born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, on September 1, 1923 in Brockton, Massachusetts. He played both baseball and football in high school, then dropped out after tenth grade. He worked at various jobs, as a ditchdigger, railroad layer and a shoemaker to help his parents. Rocky enlisted in the US Army in March of 1943, and served for three years abroad. He began boxing in the service, and had an amateur career of 8-4.
His first professional bout was on July 12, 1948, a win over Harry Bilazarian. His first 16 bouts all ended by knockout, and he changed his name to Marciano during that period. The first ranked opponent he faced was Roland La Starza on March 24, 1950, which Rocky won via a close split decision. His first fight on national television came on July 12, 1951, where he knocked out Rex Layne in six rounds.
On October 27, 1951, Marciano faced the great Joe Louis, who had made a comeback to pay off his tax debt to the U.S. government. Rocky knocked out the past his prime Louis in the 8th round by knocking him out, then sending him through the ring ropes. After four more straight wins, he earned a shot at the heavyweight champ Jersey Joe Walcott on September 23, 1952 in Philadelphia. After being dropped himself in the first round, Rocky overcame Walcott’s lead on the scorecards, and knocked him out cold in the 13th round.
He faced Walcott in a rematch the following May, but knocked Joe out in the first round this time. His second title defense was against Roland La Starza, who he stopped with an 11th round TKO. Rocky then had two consecutive bouts with former champion Ezzard Charles, and won a tough 15 round decision at Yankee Stadium on June 17, 1954 in their first meeting. The rematch was held four months later, only this time Marciano knocked Charles out in eight rounds. After an easy title defense over Don Cockell, Marciano faced legend Archie Moore on September 21, 1955 at Yankee Stadium in New York. After being dropped for a four-count in the second round, Rocky got up and stopped Moore in the ninth.
That would be the final fight of his career, and he retired with a record of 49-0, with 43 knockouts. He died tragically in a plane crash on August 31, 1969, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. Rocky’s name must come up when you mention the greatest heavyweight champions in boxing history.
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