As an infant, Rocky Marciano was diagnosed with a rare case of pneumonia. The illness was so critical that the doctors felt he would not survive. If he did, it would be done through spirit alone.
That spirit became a defining spirit of Rocky’s life. Setting the tone he would later bring to the boxing ring. As a boy, he loved sports, but his physical attributes, though he had a drive 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 boredom. 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 struggle.
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 would determine a passion that would lay the foundation for overcoming some life-threatening illnesses to finding his 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 business of much taller opposition, he stood out though 5:10 in height with a reach of only 67 inches.
Rocky’s awkward footwork made him an unlikely candidate for greatness in the eyes of many. When he first entered the ring, his flaws were obvious. He was often stumbling over his own feet and throwing punches that were not of a seasoned fighter. Early trainers were dismissing him and writing him off. One critic said he was too short and mediocre to succeed in the heavyweight division.
Where others saw his shortcomings, one man saw a 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 became his most significant asset in, allowing him to generate incredible power in his punches.
Rocky punched a 270 lb. heavy bag to prepare him to break through his opponent’s defenses by outworking and outlasting every opponent put in front of him.
Rocky’s strategy was wearing them down both physically and mentally. His unmatched endurance, honed through brutal training regiment, allowed him throughout a fight.
In 1950, what showcased his ability to overcome adversity was against unbeaten Roland LaStarza, who was known for his defensive skills and counterpunching ability. By the end of the match, LaStarza suffered on his arms and body, which required surgery to repair nerve and bone damage inflicted by Marciano’s relentless blows.
Although the fight ended in a controversial split decision in Marciano’s favor, it solidified his reputation as a rising star with an unparalleled ability to break down his opponents. From his grueling battles with Joe Louis and Jersey Joe Walcott to his untimely death in a plane crash, his life was heartbreaking.
Rocky’s win over Louis proved to be a leading contender for the title after ending the career of a man he idolized. On September 23rd of 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 he had been floored. By the middle rounds, Walcott had a lead, but Rocky was determined, despite cuts above his eyes, to continue his assault on Walcott. The punch that landed distorted Walcott’s face.
Rocky’s fights in 1954 against former champ Ezzard Charles, his pressure proved important. He landed a right hand in the eighth round, knocking him out.
Against light heavyweight power puncher Archie ‘Old Mongoose’ Moore, Rocky was dropped in the second round but ended the fight in the ninth round. He was known as the ‘blue collar champion’.
Rocky ended his career at 49-0 with 43 knockouts. His life ended in a plane crash.
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