Marciano had a brilliant boxing career (Photo: Reproduction/Disclosure)
Floyd Mayweather defeated Conor McGregor in last Saturday's superfight (26), in Las Vegas (USA), and hung up his gloves undefeated, with 50 wins in 50 professional boxing fights, and even broke the hitherto unreachable mark of 49 wins set by the legend Rocky Marciano.
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But who was this American boxer who worked in the ring between 1947 and 1955 and became famous, alongside names like Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson, Joe Louis, George Foreman, Evander Holyfield and Mayweather, as one of the greatest fighters of all time?
If you don't know who the legendary heavyweight boxer was, check out a special made by SUPER FIGHTS about the career and achievements achieved by Marciano.
1 – Impeccable career
Marciano retired undefeated, with 49 victories (Photo: Reproduction/Disclosure)
Born on September 1, 1923, Rocco Francis Marchegiano, the popular Rocky, debuted in the ring at just 23 years old, in March 1947, knocking out Lee Epperson in the third round. After starting off on the right foot, it took 16 months to wait until the second performance. The years 1948 and 1948, inclusive, were special in Marciano's career: in total, he fought 24 fights, winning 22 by knockout, a feat that put him in the world spotlight.
His first title came in 1952, when he knocked out Jersey Joe Walcott. Afterwards, he had six more fights, five of which defended his position as number 1 heavyweight. Despite his success, Rocky's career only lasted eight years. In 1958, after building a perfect record with 49 victories, 43 of which were by knockout, Marciano hung up his gloves after insistence from his family, who were concerned about the fighter's health. His last opponent was Archie Moore, knocked out on September 21st, in Bronx, New York.
“I was 14 years old and I heard the announcer say, 'And the champion is still… Rocky Marciano.' Since then I knew I wanted to be a champion too”, a phrase said by the also legendary former boxer Muhammad Ali, who revealed that Rocky was his biggest idol in the sport.
2 – Tragic death
Rocky passed away the day before his 48th birthday (Photo: Reproduction/Disclosure)
Rocky's death shocked not only the fighting world, but everyone who admired the former champion. On August 31, 1969, one day before his 48th birthday, the fighter died in a plane crash. The plane containing Marciano and three other occupants crashed near Newton, in Inwa, after the pilot, who I consider to be inexperienced, tried to make an emergency landing and collided with an oak tree. All passengers died.
3 – Career portrayed on cinema screens
In 1999, 30 years after his death, Rocky's career was portrayed on the big screen in cinemas around the world. The film 'Rocky Marciano', directed by Charles Winkler and starring renowned actor Jon Favreau, reproduced the feats and achievements of the fighter's career. The success of the plot inspired the creation of the film Rocky Balboa, starring Sylvester Stallone, alongside other great boxing champions from the United States.
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