As a newborn, Rocky Marciano was diagnosed with a rare case of pneumonia. The disease was so critical that doctors thought he would not survive. If it did, it would only be done through the spirit.
That spirit became the 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, although 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 a boxing program as a way to stay active and avoid boredom. There, boxing gave him a sense of purpose and goal to focus on, and he poured himself into the sport with the same determination through his childhood struggles.
After returning from the war, Rocky decided to continue his love for boxing. It would be a passion in these early years that would determine a passion that would set the stage for overcoming some life-threatening illnesses to find his purpose in boxing.
Rocky’s humble early experiences were a testament to his determination, a quality that would prove important in his early career. Dealing with much taller opposition, he stood out despite standing 5:10 with a reach of just 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 often tripped over his own feet and delivered blows that were unbecoming of a seasoned fighter. Early coaches dismissed him and wrote him off. One critic said he was too short and mediocre to succeed in the heavyweight division.
Where others saw his flaws, one man saw potential training in Charlie Goldman, who took on the challenge of turning him into a formidable fighter. He set his heart, and determination was his best quality.
Rocky’s stature became his most significant asset, 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 outsmarting and outlasting every opponent in front of him.
Rocky’s strategy was draining them both physically and mentally. His unsurpassed endurance, honed through brutal training, saw him through the entire fight.
In 1950, what showed his ability to overcome adversity was against the unbeatable Rolando LaStarza, who was known for his defensive skills and counter-punching abilities. By the end of the match, LaStarza suffered damage to his arms and body, requiring surgery to repair the nerve and bone damage caused by Marciano’s relentless punches.
Although the fight ended in a controversial split decision in Marciano’s favor, it cemented his reputation as a rising star with an unparalleled ability to break down his opponents. From his grueling battles with Joe Lewis and Jersey Joe Walcott to his untimely death in a plane crash, his life was heartbreaking.
Rocky’s victory over Lewis established him as a leading contender for the title after ending the career of the man he idolized. On September 23, 1952, against the 38-year-old Walcott, Marciano dropped him in the first round with a perfectly timed left hook. It was the first time in his career that he was on the floor. By the middle round, Walcott had the upper hand, but Rocky was determined, despite the cuts above his eyes, to continue attacking Walcott. The blow that fell disfigured Walcott’s face.
In Rocky’s 1954 fight against former champion Ezzard Charles, his pressure proved important. In the eighth round he landed a right hand, knocking him out.
Against light heavyweight powerhouse Archie ‘Old Mongoose’ Moore, Rocky was knocked out 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.
