Marciano, Rocky (redirected from Rocky Marciano)

Marciano, Rocky (märsēä`nō), 1924–69, American boxer, b. Brockton, Mass. His real name was Rocco Francis Marchegiano. Failing to become a professional baseball player, Marciano turned to boxing and won 27 of 30 amateur bouts before he turned professional in 1947. On his climb to the heavyweight title, Marciano became the second boxer ever to knock out (1951) Joe Louis. On Sept. 23, 1952, Marciano won the title by knocking out Jersey Joe Walcott in 13 rounds at Philadelphia. The only heavyweight champion with a perfect professional record, Marciano was undefeated in 49 fights and successfully defended his title six times before retiring in Apr., 1956. Noted for his powerful punching ability, he won 43 of his pro bouts by knockouts. He died in a plane crash.

Bibliography

See biography by R. Sullivan (2002).

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Marciano, Rocky

 orig. Rocco Francis Marchegiano

(born Sept. 1, 1923, Brockton, Mass., U.S.—died Aug. 31, 1969, near Newton, Ia.) U.S. boxer and world heavyweight champion. Marciano began boxing in the army in World War II. An unscientific but hard-punching and exceptionally durable fighter, he won the championship title in 1952 by defeating Jersey Joe Walcott and relinquished it upon retiring in 1956. He was undefeated in 49 professional fights, scoring 43 knockouts.