The untold story of Rocky Marciano!

As a child, Rocky Marciano was diagnosed with a rare case of pneumonia. The disease was so severe that doctors thought he would not survive. If he did, he would only do so through the spirit.

That spirit became a defining spirit in Rocky’s life. It sets the tone that he would later carry into the ring. As a boy he loved sport, but also his physical qualities, despite having a determination 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 purpose and a goal to focus on, and he dedicated himself to the sport with the same determination during his childhood fight.

Upon returning from the war Rocky decides to resume his love for the sport of boxing. It would be a passion in these early years that would determine a passion that would lay the foundation for him to overcome some life-threatening illnesses until he found his purpose in boxing.

Rocky’s humble early experiences were a testament to his determination, qualities that would prove important early in his career. In a group with much taller opponents, he stood out even though he was 5:10 tall 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 stepped into the ring, his flaws were evident. He often tripped over his own feet and threw punches that were not those of an experienced fighter. The first coaches fired 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 Charley Goldman, who accepted the challenge to turn him into a formidable fighter. He determined his heart and determination was his best attribute.

Rocky’s stature has become his most significant asset, allowing him to generate incredible power in his punches.

Rocky punched a 270-pound heavy bag to prepare to break through his opponent’s defenses by outmaneuvering every opponent put in front of him.

Rocky’s strategy was wearing them down both physically and mentally. His unmatched endurance, honed through brutal training, allowed him to endure a fight.

In 1950, what proved his ability to overcome adversity was against the undefeated Roland LaStarza, known for his defensive skills and counterpunching ability. By the end of the match, LaStarza suffered arm and body pain, requiring surgery to repair nerve and bone damage inflicted by Marciano’s relentless strikes.

Although the fight ended in a controversial decision in favor of Marciano, it cemented his reputation as a rising star with an unmatched ability to take 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 to be a major title contender after ending the career of a man he idolized. On September 23, 1952, against the 38-year-old Walcott, Marciano was knocked out in the first round with a perfectly timed left hook. It was the first time in his career that he had been silenced. Midway through the round, Walcott had the advantage, but Rocky was determined, despite the cuts above his eyes, to continue his assault on Walcott. The thrown punch distorted Walcott’s face.

In Rocky’s fights in 1954 against former champion Ezzard Charles, his pressure proved to be important. He landed a right hand in the eighth round, knocking him out.

Against powerful light heavyweight boxer Archie “Old Mongoose” Moore, Rocky was knocked out in the second round but ended 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.