Rocky Marciano
Small for a heavyweight, impossible to outlast.
- Born
- September 1, 1923, Brockton, Massachusetts, US
- Died
- August 31, 1969 (aged 45)
- Nationality
United States- Height
- 178 cm (5′10″)
- Reach
- 170 cm (5′7″)
- Stance
- Orthodox
- Style
- Pressure fighter
- Weight
- Heavyweight
- Active
- 1947–1955
The record
Professional; retired undefeated, matches IBHOF record
The story
occo Marchegiano from Brockton, Massachusetts, turned pro in 1947 standing 5 ft 10 with a reach far shorter than most heavyweight champions. He made up for it with stamina, a hard chin and a right hand known as the Susie Q. He stopped a 37-year-old Joe Louis in 1951, then got up from a first-round knockdown to knock out Jersey Joe Walcott in the 13th and win the title in 1952. He defended it six times, beating Ezzard Charles twice and finishing with a knockout of Archie Moore, and retired in 1956 at 49-0 with 43 knockouts. He is still the only heavyweight champion to end his career unbeaten. He died in a plane crash in Iowa in 1969, one day before his 46th birthday.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- World heavyweight champion (1952–1956)
- Six successful title defences; retired unbeaten as champion
- International Boxing Hall of Fame (1990)
- The Ring Fighter of the Year (1952, 1954, 1955)
- Hickok Belt (1952)
Defining fights
- 1951WINvs Joe Louis (TKO 8)
- 1952WINvs Jersey Joe Walcott (KO 13, won heavyweight title)
- 1953WINvs Jersey Joe Walcott (KO 1)
- 1954WINvs Ezzard Charles (KO 8)
- 1955WINvs Archie Moore (KO 9, final fight)
Close the distance with head movement and bent knees, then punch as you arrive. Marciano used a shuffle step and a hook launched from a deep crouch to make up for a 67-inch reach, a great model for shorter fighters.
