Contents
Rocky Marciano
Retiring as heavyweight boxing champion with a 49–0 professional record.
Winning the title · Final defence
- Born
- 1 September 1923
- Birthplace
- Brockton, United States
- Died
- 31 August 1969
More people
Rocky Marciano
American boxer whose relentless pressure and punching power carried him to the world heavyweight title. He defended it six times before retiring unbeaten.
Early life
Working-class childhood
Grew up in Brockton in an Italian immigrant family.
Army boxing
Took up competitive boxing during military service.
Career
- 1947–1951
Professional climb
Built an unbeaten record and defeated former champion Joe Louis.
- 1952–1955
Heavyweight champion
Won the world title from Jersey Joe Walcott and made six successful defences.
- 1956
Retirement
Left boxing without a professional defeat.
Achievements
Winning the title
Stopped Walcott in the thirteenth round after being knocked down early.
Final defence
Defeated Archie Moore in his last professional fight.
49 wins
Finished with 49 victories, including 43 by knockout.
Beyond sport
Family life
Married Barbara Cousins and had two children.
Death in an air crash
Died in a small-plane crash in Iowa in 1969.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Career and achievements ↗Photo: Associated Press. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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