As an infant, Rocky Marciano was diagnosed with a rare case of pneumonia. The disease was so critical that doctors thought he would not survive. If he did, it would be through the Spirit alone.
That spirit became a defining spirit in Rocky’s life. He would later bring the tone 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 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 throughout 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 those early years that would determine a passion that would lay the foundation for overcoming some life-threatening illnesses to find 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 business with much higher opposition, he stood out at 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 evident. He often tripped over his own feet and threw punches unbecoming of an experienced fighter. Early coaches dismissed him and wrote him off. One critic said he was too short and mean to succeed in the heavyweight division.
Where others saw his flaws, one man saw potential training in Charley Goldman, who rose to the challenge of making him a formidable fighter. He made up his mind, and determination was his best attribute.
Rocky’s stature became his most significant asset, allowing him to generate incredible power in his punches.
Rocky hit a 270lb 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 to wear them down both physically and mentally. His unmatched stamina, honed through a brutal training regiment, allowed him through a fight.
In 1950, showing his ability to overcome adversity was against undefeated Roland LaStarza, who was known for his defensive skills and counterpunching abilities. By the end of the fight, LaStarza was suffering on his arms and body, requiring surgery to repair nerve and bone damage inflicted 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 unmatched 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 victory over Louis proved a leading contender for the title after ending the career of a man he idolized. On September 23, 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 that he had been floored. By the middle rounds, Walcott had a lead, but Rocky was determined, despite cuts above his eyes, to continue his attack on Walcott. The punch that landed contorted Walcott’s face.
Rocky’s 1954 matches against former champion Ezzard Charles, his pressure proved to be important. He landed a right hand in the eighth round and knocked 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 finished his career 49-0 with 43 knockouts. His life ended in a plane crash.
