By John F. McKenna (McJack): Nobody could figure the best way to handle Rocky’s power, his constant, unrelenting pressure and his ability to take a punch. Marciano, as all great champions do, had supreme confidence in himself and an indomitable will. He said frequently that “In my prime I could have beaten anyone alive.” Rocky also was quoted as saying “Why waltz with a guy all night when you can take him out in one?”
Rocky Marciano
Flashback: Rocky Marciano – Profiled: Part 3
By John F. McKenna (McJack): Marciano easily dispatched Walcott in the 1st round of their return match on May 15, 1953 in Chicago. Next Rocky KO’d Roland La Starza in the eleventh round. Rocky’s legend as a power puncher continued to grow as a result of his match with La Starza. In their first fight in 1950 Rocky won a very close decision. In the return Marciano bludgeoned La Starza wherever he could hit him, arms, shoulders and legs breaking blood vessels at the point of impact. La Starza complained later that by the mid to later rounds he was unable to lift his arms to defend himself, also stating that Rocky was much improved since their first fight. Next Rocky scored a fifteen round decision over Ezzard Charles.
Flashback: Rocky Marciano – Profiled: Part 2
By John F. McKenna (McJack): Trainer Charley Goldman went to work developing the technique which would serve Rocky so well and ultimately make him Heavyweight Champion of the World. On December 19, 1949 Rocky fought his first name opponent, Phil Muscato, an experienced heavyweight from Buffalo, New York. Rocky KO’d Muscato in the 5th round. Three weeks later Marciano KO’d Carmine Vingo also in the 5th round. Vingo nearly died as a result of a brain hemorrhage he suffered in the fight. He teetered between life and death for three days before finally coming out of a coma. Rocky later said it was his most difficult time as a fighter. Viingo eventually did recover, but he never fought again.
Flashback: Rocky Marciano – Profiled: Part 1
By John F. McKenna (McJack): Rocky Marciano, AKA the “Brockton Blockbuster” – real name Rocco Marchegiano, was born to Italian Immigrant parents on September 1, 1923. He was born and raised in Brockton, Massachusetts. Rocky had three sisters and two brothers. As a youth he played baseball and worked out with homemade weightlifting equipment. When Rocky exhibited an interest in boxing he would use a stuffed mailbag which hung from a tree in his back yard as a heavy bag.
The Top Five Greatest Chins in the Heavyweight Division – All time
By Tommaso Nappo: The list was compiled based on the criteria of ability to take a punch, and quality of opposition. It does not I repeat does not take into account the individual fighters skill level or accomplishments. Some of those that earned an honorable mention were current fighters – David Tua, Vitali Klitchko, Oliver McCall,. These guys can all take big time shots, but the quality of big time punchers faced is limited.
Rocky Marciano killed in a plane crash August 31, 1969
By Sam Gregory: August 31, 1969 Rocky Marciano died when the small plane he was traveling in crashed in Iowa, a day before this 46th birthday 41 years ago.
On June 5, 1952 Jersey Joe Walcott defended his heavyweight title for the last time. Thirty-eight year old Walcott beat Ezzard Charles in a fifteen round unanimous decision.
Marciano – What means more the 49 or the 0?
By Dennis Broadhurst: Rocky Marciano, a boxer that everyone has heard of, the only undefeated heavyweight champion of all time (49-0 with 43ko’s). Rocky was a great fighter, what he lacked in skill, size and speed he made up for in heart, chin, stamina and power! Rocky was a stalker with great power in both hands, most notable his “Suzie-Q”, he would never stop coming forward and his fantastic stamina allowed him to do that for as long as the fight took.
Rocky Marciano – The unappreciated legend
By Liam Santiago: I do not use the word warrior lightly, when describing a fighter. But, for Rocky Marciano, there is no word that fits him better. The legacy of Rocky Marciano constantly comes under criticism from ‘arm chair critics’, that have never really been involved in boxing. Marciano, was, without a doubt, the toughest champion ever.
Was Rocky Marciano really that great?
By Al Francis: Boxing fans can almost unanimously agree that Muhammad Ali is the greatest heavyweight of all time. Most of us can also unite in admitting that Joe Louis and Jack Johnson aren’t too far behind. As we look further down the pantheon of greats it becomes considerably more subjective and there are varied opinions on where we should rank heavyweight greats like Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Joe Frazier, Jack Dempsey, John L Sullivan, Jim Jeffries and several more.
Rocky Marciano vs Joe Calzaghe – Comparing the legends
By Liam Santiago: The legacy of any fighter is often not fully appreciated until enough … continue