By Kev Barnett @lefthookuk
Born 01-09-1923 Rocco Francis Marchegiano aka Rocky Marciano did not start life with the intention of stepping in the ring but soon became someone that has to be in my opinion the greatest fighter of all time. I know some people would disagree and say Ali was the greatest ever but I’m talking about a fighter, someone who never took a backwards step, someone willing to take 3 to land 1. Marciano started his life fighting as at 18 months old almost lost his life to pneumonia, he played baseball as a young man and had several jobs as a chute man for an ice and coal company, a shoe maker and even layed railroads before being drafted in to the US military here is where the love of boxing started. Whilst waiting discharge from the military in 1946 Rocky competed in the Armed Forces tournament which he won, from there he had a handful of amateur fights with s record of 8-4 before entering the pro ranks knocking out Lee Epperson in 3 rounds. Rocky then went straight back to the amateur ranks to compete in the Golden Gloves All East Tournament where he suffered a controversial loss to Coley Wallace. He continued to fight at amateur level until making a permanent move back to the pro ranks in July 1948. Marciano put a KO streak together knocking out his next 15 opponents. Rocky continued to KO his opponents including the former world champion Joe Louis stopping him in the eighth round in October 1951. The following year Rocky got his shot at the current champ in Jersey Joe Walcott knocking him out in the 13th round to become champion of the world, a year later the two were to meet again with Marciano cementing his dominance with a first round stoppage. Marciano went on to defend his title 5 more times with his last defence being Archie Moore in 1955 with another stoppage in the 9th. A year later Rocky Marciano announced his retirement at the young age of 31 wishing to spend more time with his family.
Fights - 49
KO,s. - 43
Losses- 0
Sadly in my opinion the most destructive boxer of all time tragically lost his life in a plane crash on August 31st 1969 but his legacy lived on for the next 48 years . His undefeated record was only surpassed by Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
Thanks for taking time to read my post and I will see you soon. Peace
