Rocky Marciano

Rocco Francis Marchegiano (September 1, 1923 – August 31, 1969), better known as Rocky Marciano, was a boxer who holds the distinction of being the only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated and was commonly known as the "Brockton Blockbuster."

Legacy

Rocky had a record of 49-0 with 43 knockout wins. While his records as the only Heavyweight champion to go the longest undefeated and his position as the only world Heavyweight champion to go undefeated through his whole career were challenged by Larry Holmes in 1985 (when Holmes went 48-0 before losing to Michael Spinks), Marciano's records still stand. After Holmes lost to Spinks, he caused some controversy by making some unfortunate comments about Marciano, but he later apologized.

Related Topics:
Larry Holmes - 1985 - Michael Spinks

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He was only knocked down to the canvas twice - for a total of seven seconds of counting - in his entire professional career. On both occassions he returned to KO his opponent. Only Gene Tunney was knocked down fewer times (once - in the famous Long Count Fight).

Related Topics:
Gene Tunney - Long Count Fight

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Marciano was the subject of a 1999 biographical television film. Also, in the movie Rocky, the Rocky Balboa character told his trainer Mickey that Marciano was his favorite boxer. Marciano has been also the subject of several paintings, and he is on a US postage stamp commemorating his life.

Related Topics:
1999 - Rocky - US postage

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Marciano, like rivals Louis, Walcott, and Moore, is a member of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame. Other awards which Marciano won included the Hickok Belt for top professional athlete of the year 1952.

Related Topics:
International Boxing Hall Of Fame - Hickok Belt - 1952

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Numerous books have been written about Marciano including the 1977 book by Everett M. Skehan titled Rocky Marciano, Biography of a First Son, whose cover is shown at the top of this page. Ring Magazine numbered Marciano at number fourteen in their list of The 100 Greatest Punchers of All Time, released in 2003.

Related Topics:
1977 - Everett M. Skehan - Ring Magazine - 2003

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Rocky Marciano is interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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