As a child, Rocky Marciano was diagnosed with a rare case of pneumonia. The disease was so critical that the doctors felt that he would not survive. If it did, it would be done for the spirit alone.
That spirit became a defining spirit of Rocky’s life. Setting the tone that he will later bring to the boxing ring. As a boy, he loved sports, but his physical attributes, although he had an impulse that would become the cornerstone of his career.
In 1943, Rocky was drafted into the Army. While stationed in Wales, he joined the boxing program as a way to stay active and avoid stroke. It was there that boxing gave him a sense of purpose and a goal to focus on, and he poured himself into the sport with the same determination through his childhood wrestling.
After returning from the war, Rocky decided to resume his love for the sport of boxing. It would be a passion in these early years that determines a passion that lays the foundation to overcome some life-threatening illnesses to find its purpose in boxing.
Rocky’s humble early experiences were a testament to his determination, qualities that would prove important in his early career. In a deal of much taller opposition, he also stands 5:10 in height with a reach of only 67 inches.
Rocky’s footwork made him an unlikely candidate for greatness in the eyes of many. When he first entered the ring, his flaws were obvious. He often tripped over his feet and threw punches that were not of an experienced fighter. The first trainers dismissed him and canceled him. One critic said he was too short and average to succeed in the heavyweight division.
Where others saw his flaws, one man saw potential training in Charley Goldman, who took on the challenge of turning him into a formidable fighter. He determined his heart, and determination were his best attributes.
Rocky’s stature has become his most significant asset, allowing him to generate incredible power in his fists.
Rocky punched a 270lb heavy bag to prepare him to break through his opponent’s defenses, outmaneuvering and outlasting any opponent that stands in front of him.
Rocky’s strategy was wearing him down both physically and mentally. His incomparable endurance, honed by a brutal training regiment, allowed him during a fight.
In 1950, what showed his ability to overcome adversity was against the unbeatable Roland LaStarza, who was known for his defensive skills and ability to counter. By the end of the match, LaStarza suffered on his arms and body, requiring surgery to repair the nerve and bone damage inflicted by Marciano’s relentless punches.
Although the fight ended in a controversial split decision in favor of Marciano, he solidified his reputation as a rising star with an unmatched ability to knock down his opponents. From his battles alongside Joe Louis and Jersey Joe Walcott to his untimely death in a plane crash, his life was harrowing.
Rocky’s win over Louis proved to be a top contender for the title after ending the career of a man he idolized. On September 23, 1952, against the 38-year-old Walcott, Marciano was dropped in the first round with a perfectly timed left hook. It was the first time in his career that he had been knocked down. By the middle round, Walcott had a lead, but Rocky was determined, despite the cuts above his eyes, to continue his assault on Walcott. The punch that landed distorted Walcott’s face.
Rocky’s fight in 1954 against the former champion Ezzard Charles, his pressure was important. He landed a right hand in the eighth round, knocking him out.
Against lightweight puncher Archie “Old Mongoose” Moore, Rocky was dropped in the second round, but finished the fight in the ninth round. He was known as the “blue collar champion”.
Rocky finished his career at 49-0 with 43 knockouts. His life ended in a plane crash.
