As an infant, Rocky Marciano was diagnosed with a rare form of pneumonia. The illness was so serious that the doctors felt that he would not survive. If he did, it would only be done by spirit.
That spirit became the defining spirit of Rocky’s life. Setting the tone he will later bring to the boxing ring. As a boy, he loved sports, but his physical qualities, although he had a machine that would be the basis of his work.
In 1943, Rocky was drafted into the Army. While working in Wales, he joined a boxing program as a way to keep active and avoid boredom. It was then that boxing gave him a sense of purpose and a goal to focus on, and he threw himself into the sport with the same determination in his childhood struggles.
After returning from the war, Rocky decided to rekindle his love for boxing. It will be the love in these early years that will define the love that will lay the foundation for overcoming other life-threatening diseases to find his purpose in boxing.
Rocky’s early experience was a testament to his determination, qualities that would prove vital in his early career. In the business of the longest opposition, he stood out despite the height of 5:10 and a reach of only 67 centimeters.
Rocky’s bad foot made him a person who would not be able to achieve greatness in the eyes of many people. When he entered the ring, his flaws were evident. He often tripped over his feet and threw punches that were not for a veteran fighter. Early coaches were dismissing him and writing him down. One critic said he was too short and young to succeed in the heavyweight division.
Where others saw his shortcomings, another man saw the potential of Charley Goldman’s training, who took on the challenge of making him a stronger fighter. He made up his mind, and determination was his best quality.
Rocky’s posture became his most important asset, allowing him to generate incredible power from his punches.
Rocky hit the 270 lb heavy bag to prepare him to break through his opponent’s defenses with hard work and outlast every opponent put in front of him.
Rocky’s strategy was destroying them physically and mentally. His unparalleled endurance, honed through a brutal training camp, saw him through the war.
In 1950, showing his ability to overcome adversity against the undefeated Roland LaStarza, known for his defensive skills and ability to counter. At the end of the match, LaStarza suffered injuries to his arms and body, which required surgery to repair nerve and bone damage caused by Marciano’s relentless blows.
Although the fight ended in a controversial decision in Marciano’s favor, it cemented his reputation as a rising star with an unmatched ability to demolish his opponents. From tough fights with Joe Louis and Jersey Joe Walcott to his untimely death in a plane crash, his life was a sad one.
Rocky’s victory over Louis proved to be the front runner for the title after ending the career of the man he adored. On September 23rd of 1952, against the 38-year-old Walcott, Marciano was dropped in the first round with a well-timed left hook. It was the first time in his career that he had been knocked down. Inside, Walcott was leading, but Rocky was determined, despite the cuts above his eyes, to continue his attack on Walcott. The punch that landed distorted Walcott’s face.
In Rocky’s 1954 fight against former champion Ezzard Charles, his pressure proved to be significant. He landed a right hand in the eighth round, knocking him out.
Facing light heavyweight champion 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 49-0 with 43 strikeouts. His life ended in a plane crash.
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