The untold story about Rocky Marciano!

As a baby, Rocky Marciano was diagnosed with a rare case of pneumonia. The illness was so critical that doctors believed he would not survive. If I did, I would do it only through the spirit.

That spirit became the defining spirit of Rocky’s life. Setting the tone that he would later take to the boxing ring. As a child he loved sports, but his physical attributes, though 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 dedicated himself to the sport with the same determination during his childhood wrestling.

After returning from the war, Rocky decided to return to 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 overcoming some life-threatening illnesses and finding 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 field of much taller opponents, he stood out at 5:10 tall and with a reach of just 67 inches.

Rocky’s clumsy footwork made him an unlikely candidate for greatness in the eyes of many. When he first entered the ring, his flaws were obvious. He often tripped over his own feet and threw punches that were not befitting an experienced fighter. The first coaches fired him and discarded him. One critic said he was too short and mediocre to succeed in the heavyweight division.

Where others saw his flaws, one man saw training potential in Charley Goldman, who took on the challenge of turning him into a formidable fighter. He determined his heart and determination were his best attributes.

Rocky’s height became his greatest asset, allowing him to generate incredible power in his punches.

Rocky hit a 270-pound heavy bag to prepare him to break through his opponent’s defenses by outworking and outlasting all the opponents that stood before him.

Rocky’s strategy was to wear them down both physically and mentally. His unmatched stamina, honed through a brutal training regiment, allowed him to last the entire fight.

In 1950, what demonstrated his ability to overcome adversity was against the undefeated Roland LaStarza, known for his defensive skills and counterpunching ability. Late in the match, LaStarza suffered damage to 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 favor of Marciano, it solidified his reputation as a rising star with an unparalleled 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 fell in the first round with a perfectly timed left hook. It was the first time in his career that he found himself down. In the middle rounds, Walcott had the advantage, but Rocky was determined, despite the cuts over his eyes, to continue his assault on Walcott. The punch that landed distorted Walcott’s face.

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

Against powerhouse light heavyweight puncher Archie ‘Old Mongoose’ Moore, Rocky went down in the second round but ended the fight in the ninth round. He was known as the “worker’s champion.”

Rocky finished his career with a record of 49-0 with 43 knockouts. His life ended in a plane crash.