Many believe he was the inspiration for Rocky in the Oscar-winning film of the same name. Sometimes he's confused with another Rocky (who's name also ends in a vowel) who really was the inspiration for a successful movie starring Paul Newman.
This much we know: He was unquestionably one of the hardest-punching heavyweights of all time and he helped to bring boxing to the masses, so much so that his name become synonymous with prizefights. In fact, many still consider him the greatest champion of all time.Rocco Francis Marchegiano was born on September 1, 1923 in Brockton, Massachusetts, to a couple of Italian immigrants. But the world came to know him as Rocky Marciano. As a kid growing up in a blue-collar family (and one of six siblings) Marciano found sports in his local high school, where he excelled in both baseball and football. But soon enough, he found himself more entertained while punching a homemade heavy bag in his backyard.
During an Army stint in World War II Marciano became involved in amateur boxing compiling a record of 8–4. He had his first professional bout in 1947. After a short tryout as a baseball player, Marciano found his way back home and started training to be a professional boxer. And get this: as a professional fighter he never lost a single match! Right from the start, he stopped 15 foes to start making a name for himself in the big leagues.
He finally exploded onto the scene with a closely disputed win over fellow then-unbeaten contender Roland LaStarza in what was Marciano’s 26th pro bout, ending in his only split decision win ever. After that, he began his inevitable march towards the title, with wins over the likes of Ted Lowry, Rex Layne, Lee Savold, and a memorable and emotional win over his idol Joe Louis at the fabled Madison Square Garden, in what proved to be Louis’ last bout.
Less than one year after defeating Louis, Marciano stopped Jersey Joe Walcott in 13 rounds to win the Ring heavyweight belt, also stopping Walcott in a rematch. He gave LaStarza a shot at the title next, stopping him in 11 rounds, and won the only points win of his championship rule in 1954 against Ezzard Charles next, stopping Charles in the rematch a few months later.
He went on to stop Don Cockell in his next bout, and finished his career in 1955 with a win over light heavyweight legend Archie Moore, winning by stoppage in nine rounds after visiting the canvas earlier. He would then retire undefeated as a champion, having stopped every man he faced during his title reign at least once.
The likable, engaging Marciano was a legend and a certified American success story. He celebritized boxing as he became a public speaker and traveled all over the country to fulfill his engagements. He probably could have been elected to almost any office.
Sadly, however on August 31, 1969 (the day before his 46th birthday). Marciano boarded a small private plane on his way to a speaking engagement in Des Moines, Iowa. Attempting a risky landing in bad weather, the plane's pilot missed the runway by two miles and crashed, killing all three passengers aboard the aircraft, including Marciano.
Marciano was inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.
H/T: The Ring
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