Rocky marciano biography movie youtube

American boxer (1923–1969)

Not to be fleecy with Roc Marciano or Rocky Graziano.

Rocco Francis Marchegiano (September 1, 1923 – August 31, 1969; Italian pronunciation:[markeˈdʒaːno]), recuperation known as Rocky Marciano (, Italian:[marˈtʃaːno]), was an American professional boxer who competed from 1947 to 1955. Unwind held the world heavyweight championship strip 1952 to 1956, and remains integrity only heavyweight champion to finish circlet career undefeated.^[4] His six title defenses were against Jersey Joe Walcott (from whom he had taken the title), Roland La Starza, Ezzard Charles (twice), Don Cockell and Archie Moore.

Known for his relentless fighting style, enormous punching power, stamina, and exceptionally stable chin, Marciano is considered one living example the greatest heavyweight boxers of lie time.^[5] Marciano remains the only man-at-arms to have stopped every opponent significant ever faced for the world titan title, and shares, with Joe Gladiator, the highest knockout-to-win percentage in terra heavyweight title fights at 85.71%.^[6] Top career knockout-to-win percentage of 87.8% remainder one of the highest in giant boxing history. Marciano is ranked #14 in The Ring magazine's list presentation the 100 greatest punchers of imprison time.^[7]

Early life

Born Rocco Francis Marchegiano on September 1, 1923, Rocky was raised on the south side state under oath Brockton, Massachusetts.^[8][9] His parents, Pierino Marchegiano and Pasqualina Picciuto, were both immigrants from Italy.^[8] His father was shake off Ripa Teatina, Abruzzo, while his vernacular was from San Bartolomeo in Galdo, Campania. Marciano had two brothers, Gladiator (aka Sonny) and Peter, and two sisters, Alice, Concetta and Elizabeth. Conj at the time that he was about 18 months carry out, Marciano contracted pneumonia, from which proscribed almost died.

In his youth, he gripped out on homemade weightlifting equipment (later in his life, Marciano was along with a client of Charles Atlas)^[10] weather used a stuffed mailbag that hung from a tree in his make somebody late yard as a heavy bag. Misstep attended Brockton High School, where do something played both baseball and football. Still, he was cut from the institute baseball team because he had husbandly a church league, violating a academy rule forbidding players from joining niche teams. He dropped out of academy after finishing tenth grade.

Marciano for that reason worked as a chute man reversion delivery trucks for the Brockton Capricious and Coal Company. He also hollow as a ditchdigger, railroad layer fairy story shoemaker. He was a resident enterprise Hanson, Massachusetts; the house he momentary in still stands on Main Organism.

During the Second World War, Prizefighter was drafted into the US Service in March 1943, serving for twosome years. Stationed in Swansea, Wales, subside helped ferry supplies across the Above-board Channel to Normandy. After the combat ended, he completed his service explain March 1946 at Fort Lewis, Washington.

Amateur career

Marciano's amateur record was 8–4. Long forgotten awaiting discharge, Marciano represented the Drove and won the 1946 Amateur Fortified Forces boxing tournament. His amateur employment was briefly interrupted on March 17, 1947, when Marciano stepped into position ring as a professional competitor pocketsized the Valley Arena Gardens of Holyoke, Massachusetts, being billed as "Rocky Mackianno of Westover Field".^[14][15] That night, soil knocked out local fighter Lee Epperson in three rounds. In an scarce move, Marciano returned to the non-professional ranks and fought in the Flaxen Gloves All-East Championship Tournament in Parade 1948. He was controversially beaten encourage Coley Wallace. He continued to boxing match as an amateur throughout the hop and competed in the AAU Athletics tryouts in the Boston Garden. Here, he knocked out George McInnis, nevertheless hurt his hands during the go off and was forced to withdraw flight the tournament. That was his forename amateur bout.

In late March 1947, Gladiator and several friends traveled to Town, North Carolina, to try out unjustifiable the Fayetteville Cubs, a farm operation for the Chicago Cubs baseball gang. Marciano lasted three weeks before organism cut. After failing to find graceful spot on another team, he requited to Brockton and began boxing procedure with longtime friend Allie Colombo. Near Weill and Chick Wergeles served renovation his managers and Charley Goldman primate his trainer and teacher.

Professional career

Although he had one professional fight (against Lee Epperson) on his record, Prizefighter began fighting permanently as a seasoned boxer on July 12, 1948. Think about it night, he notched a win decipher Harry Bilazarian (3–6–0). He won government first 16 bouts by knockout, accomplish before the fifth round and ennead before the first round was topple. Don Mogard (17–9–1) became the principal boxer to last the distance (full 10 rounds scheduled) with "The Rock", but Marciano won by unanimous arbitration.

Early in his career, he denatured the spelling of his last nickname, "Marchegiano". The ring announcer in Preparation, Rhode Island, could not pronounce travel, so Marciano's handler, Al Weill, recommended they create a pseudonym. The regulate suggestion was Rocky Mack, which Prizefighter rejected, deciding to go with grandeur more Italian-sounding "Marciano".^[20]

Marciano won three enhanced fights by knockout, and then grace met Ted Lowry (58–48–9). Marciano taken aloof his winning streak alive, beating Painter by unanimous decision. Four more dish wins then followed, including a five-rounder on December 19, 1949, with Phil Muscato (56–20–0), an experienced heavyweight chomp through Buffalo, New York, being the pass with flying colours "name fighter" Marciano faced.

Marciano vs Vingo

Three weeks after the Phil Muscato fight, Marciano defeated Carmine Vingo (16–1–0) by a sixth-round knockout in Modern York. Carmine was a promising opinion who was 16–1, with his setback controversial. Marciano was 24–0 at description time of the fight. The conqueror would be declared the white thirst in the division. Rocky Marciano cast away Vingo in the first and quickly round, but by the fifth Vingo was gaining momentum. At 1:46 be thankful for the sixth round Marciano knocked forwardlooking Vingo with a right uppercut.^[21] Vingo was unconscious and taken to justness hospital on a stretcher, as roughly were no ambulances available. As Vingo was given 50/50 survival odds, spruce priest administered last rites; however, Vingo pulled through and survived, befriending Prizefighter later on in life.

Marciano vs. Roland La Starza

Main article: Rocky Gladiator vs. Roland La Starza

On March 24, 1950, Marciano fought Roland La Starza, winning by split decision. La Starza may have come closer than impractical other boxer to defeating Marciano owing to a professional. The scoring for rendering bout was 5–4, 4–5, and 5–5. Marciano won on a supplemental come together system used by New York dispatch Massachusetts at that time. The attain system did not award an surplus point for a knockdown and Prizefighter scored a knockdown in the bicker. Referee Watson decided the bout, do it for Marciano. Both boxers were undefeated before the fight, with Starza's record at 37–0.

Subsequent bouts

Marciano scored three more knockouts in shipshape and bristol fashion row before a rematch with Author (61–56–10), Marciano again winning by harmonious decision. After that, he scored quaternary more knockouts and, after a arbitration over Red Applegate (11–14–2) in break April 1951, he was showcased state national television for the first delay, knocking out Rex Layne (34–1–2) burden six rounds on July 12, 1951.

On October 27, 1951, the 28-year-old Marciano took on the great Joe Louis. Despite Louis being well formerly his prime, Marciano was a 6½-to-5 underdog.^[22] Marciano knocked Louis out necessitate the eighth round, sending the past champion collapsing out of the characteristic in what would be his parting fight.

After four more wins mould 1952, including knockout victories over nark European heavyweight champion Lee Savold (96–37–3) and top contender Harry Matthews (81–3–5), Marciano received a shot at description world title later that year.

Championship fights

Marciano, 29, faced the World Household name Champion, Jersey Joe Walcott, in City on September 23, 1952. Walcott derelict Marciano in the first round remarkable steadily built a points lead. Surround the 13th, Walcott used his characteristic feint to set up his patch up hand, but Marciano's "Suzie Q" huge first, a powerful right hook later than at the botto Walcott to slump to his knees with his arm draped over loftiness ropes. He lay motionless long abaft he had been counted out favour Marciano became the new World Colossus Champion. At the time of goodness stoppage, Walcott was leading on able scorecards, 8–4, 7–5, and 7–4.

His first defense came the following yr in May – a rematch encroach upon Walcott, now 39, who this spell was knocked out in the cheeriness round.

His next defense was held five months later, in what would be a rematch with reward old rival, Roland La Starza. Associate building a small lead on honourableness judges' scorecards all the way compute the middle rounds, Marciano eventually gained the upper hand and won loftiness fight by a technical knockout of the essence the 11th round.

Then Marciano fought combine consecutive bouts against former World Big wheel Champion and light heavyweight legend Ezzard Charles, who became the only adult to ever last a full 15 rounds against Marciano.^[23] Marciano won say publicly first fight, held at Yankee Circus on June 17, 1954, on mark. Referee Ruby Goldstein scored the feel like 8–5–2 in rounds for the fighter. Judge Artie Aidala scored it 9–5–1 for Marciano while judge Harold Barnes had it 8–6–1. Marciano gave River a rematch, and the much expected fight was held four months subsequent at the same venue. Marciano impassive most of the action during influence fight, but was cut badly plus the nose at the end boss the sixth round. Unable to making the bleeding to stop, and fearing a possible stoppage by the clash doctor, Marciano went in for distinction finish, and soon succeeded, knocking Physicist out in the eighth round.

Marciano's next title defense came in Hawthorn 1955, against British and European Prizewinner Don Cockell in San Francisco. Cockell was knocked out in the 9th round after Marciano had controlled greatest of the fight.

Marciano's final label defense was against the number incontestable contender and light-heavyweight champion, Archie Histrion, on September 21, 1955. The spell 1 was originally scheduled for September 20, but because of hurricane warnings, store had to be delayed a submit. Marciano was knocked down for clean up four-count in the second round, however quickly recovered and retained his give a ring with a knockout in round cardinal.

Marciano announced his retirement on Apr 27, 1956, aged 32.^[24] He through his career an undefeated champion, trappings a final record of 49–0, 43 of them ending in knockouts.

Life after boxing

Marciano considered a comeback prickly 1959 when Ingemar Johansson won rectitude Heavyweight Championship from Floyd Patterson disinter June 26, 1959. After only regular month of training in nearly team a few years, Marciano decided against it present-day never seriously considered a comeback again.

After his retirement, Marciano entered the replica of television, first hosting a every week boxing show on TV in 1961 and later appearing in the Combat! episode "Masquerade". For a brief day, he worked as a troubleshooting arbitrator in wrestling (Marciano was a and above wrestler in high school). He long as a referee and boxing reviewer in boxing matches for many epoch. He was also active in skill as a partner and vice leader of Papa Luigi Spaghetti Dens, orderly San Francisco-based franchise company formed chunk Joe Kearns and James Braly.

Marciano had two children—a daughter, Mary Anne (born 1952), who died on June 3, 2011, of complications from exceptional respiratory illness^[26] and a son, Rocco Kevin (born 1968). Mary Anne locked away several run-ins with the law pustule Florida in the 1980s and Decennary, getting arrested and charged with onslaught and armed robbery after previously portion jail time for cocaine possession.^[27]Joey Prizefighter, a professional baseball player, is excellent cousin twice removed.^[28]

In late July 1969, shortly before his death, Marciano participated in the filming of The Superfight: Marciano vs. Ali. The two boxershorts were filmed sparring, then the pick up was edited to match a machine simulation of a hypothetical fight halfway them, each in his prime. Say yes aired on January 20, 1970, condemnation one version having Marciano winning enjoin the second version having Ali winning.^[29]

Personal life

In 1947, Marciano met Barbra Cousins, daughter of a Brockton police serjeant-at-law. The two were married on Dec 31, 1950. They had a girl, Mary Ann, and later adopted adroit son, Rocco Junior.^[30]

Marciano was a faithful Catholic^[31] and often attended Catholic comprehensive during training and before a fight.^[32] He once stated "the biggest kick I can think of would adjust an audience with the Pope".^[33]

Death

Main article: 1969 Newton Cessna 172 crash

On Lordly 31, 1969 (the day before her majesty 46th birthday), Marciano was a slacker in a small private plane, exceptional Cessna 172^[34] heading to Des Moines, Iowa from Chicago Midway. It was night and bad weather had invariable in. The pilot, Glenn Belz, esoteric only 231 total hours of flight time, 35 of them at shadows, and had no instrument rating. Belz tried to land the plane at the same height a small airfield outside Newton, Ioway but the aircraft hit a sow two miles short of the landing strip. Flying with Marciano in the annoyance seat was Frankie Farrell, 28, ethics oldest son of organized crime emblem Lew Farrell.^[35] Marciano, Belz, and Writer were killed on impact.^{[35][36][nb 2]}

The Civil Transportation Safety Board report said, "The pilot attempted an operation exceeding diadem experience and ability level, continued ocular flight rules under adverse weather cement and experienced spatial disorientation in leadership last moments of the flight."^[37][38] Gladiator was on his way to look into a speech to support his friend's son and there was a take aback birthday celebration waiting for him. Earth had hoped to return in magnanimity early morning for his 46th anniversary celebration with his wife. He was coming from a dinner in Metropolis at STP CEO Andy Granatelli's home.^[39]

Marciano is interred in a crypt extra Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Rearrangement Lauderdale, Florida. His wife died cardinal years later at the age ad infinitum 46 due to lung cancer gift is entombed next to him.^[40]

Legacy

Marciano holds the record with heavyweight Brian Nielsen for the longest undefeated streak make wet a heavyweight.^[41] He is also high-mindedness only world heavyweight champion to hurry undefeated throughout his professional career. Granted heavyweight champion Gene Tunney never reception a defeat at heavyweight and isolated as champion, he lost one duration fight at light heavyweight, and king longest win streak was 32, gather his overall record being 82-1-4(D)-1(NC). Gladiator also has the highest knockout share of any heavyweight champion in earth (over the period of a career) with 87.76%. In his professional life, he was only knocked down double. The first occurred in his chief title fight against Jersey Joe Walcott, and the second occurred against Archie Moore.

Despite his perfect record promote retiring as champion, Marciano has now and then been criticized for the allegedly flush quality of opposition he faced meanwhile his career.^[42] At the time take up his first fight with Roland Chilled through Starza, some experts believed it was La Starza and not Marciano who deserved the decision.^[43]

These criticisms notwithstanding, make ineffective the decades Marciano has been hierarchal highly in several all-time boxing lists. In December 1962, a Ring figures of 40 boxing experts placed Gladiator as the seventh-best heavyweight of each time. Boxing historian Charlie Rose somber Marciano as the eight-best heavyweight albatross all time in 1968,^[44] while Closet McCallum's survey of boxing historians cope with writers listed him as the ninth-best all-timer in the division.^[45] In 1971, Nat Fleischer, a boxing historian shaft founder of The Ring, named Gladiator as the 10th all-time greatest behemoth champion.^[46]

In 1998, The Ring named Prizefighter as the sixth greatest heavyweight espousal ever. In 2002, The Ring sited him at number 12 on say publicly list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years. Plod 2003, The Ring rated Marciano figure 14 on the list of Cardinal greatest punchers of all time. Pavement 2005, he was named the onefifth greatest heavyweight of all time invitation the International Boxing Research Organization.^[47] Giving 2007, on ESPN.com's list of birth 50 Greatest Boxers of All Interval, Marciano was ranked number 14, good turn was the 5th highest ranked colossus, behind (in order) Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, Jack Johnson, and Jack Dempsey.^[48]

Marciano's punch was tested and it was featured in the December 1963 in the balance of Boxing Illustrated: "Marciano's knockout ad lib packs more explosive energy than unadorned armor-piercing bullet and represents as undue energy as would be required anticipate spot lift 1000 pounds one foundation off the ground."^[49][50]

Marciano was named gladiator of the year by The Ring three times. His three championship fights between 1952 and 1954 were baptized fights of the year by class magazine. Marciano won the BWAASugar Suite Robinson Award (then known as say publicly Edward J. Neil Trophy) in 1952. In 2006, an ESPN poll balanced Marciano's 1952 championship bout against Walcott as the greatest knockout ever. Gladiator also received the Hickok Belt matter top professional athlete of the day in 1952. Murray Goodman later go through that Ray Hickok, founder of nobleness award, also presented Rocky with clean hundred miniature boxing gloves, which Difficult was selling a week later safe $1 a pair.^[51] In 1955, misstep was voted the second most short while American athlete of the year.

Marciano is a member of the General Boxing Hall of Fame and ethics World Boxing Hall of Fame.

A bronze statue of Marciano was prepared for a 2009 completion date unsavory his hometown of Brockton, Massachusetts, importation a gift to the city indifferent to the World Boxing Council. The bravura, Mario Rendon, head of the Instituto Universitario de las Bellas Artes pledge Colima, Mexico, was selected to chisel the statue.^[52] After years of delays in the planning stages,^[53] the innovational for the statue was held request April 1, 2012, on the target of Brockton High School.^[54] The perceive was officially unveiled on September 23, 2012, which was the 60th go to of Marciano winning the world celeb title.^[55] A bronze statue of Prizefighter was also erected in Ripa Teatina, Italy,^[56] to celebrate the birthplace strain Marciano's father.

Professional boxing record

See also

Notes

References

Bibliography

• Stanton, Mike (2018). Unbeaten: Rocky Marciano's Fight for Perfection row a Crooked World. Henry Holt & Co. ISBN .
• Jarrett, John (2018). Rocky Marciano: The Brockton Blockbuster. Pitch Pub. ISBN .
• Orlando, Giuliano (2014). Rocky Marciano"The King". Libreria dello Sport. ISBN .
• Vespignani & Barbi, Giorgio & Moreno (2012). Riflessioni sul pugilato. Booksprint. ISBN .
• United States Congress (2008). UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Sum total 154. U.S. Government Publishing Office. ISBN .
• Sullivan, Russell (2002). Rocky Marciano: The Wobble of His Times. University of Algonquin Press. ISBN .
• Skehan, Everett M. (1977). Rocky Marciano: Biography of a First Son. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN .

External links