Rocky Marciano conquered the heavyweight title seventy years ago

With Italian roots, Rocky Marciano who developed arms like tree trunks with veins like vines,  was born on September 1, 1923 in Brockton, Massachusetts, and was baptized Rocco Francis Marchegiano but he was also known as: “The Brockton Blockbuster.”

He had an undefeated pro career with 49 wins, 43 by KO. On This Day in 1952 Rocky Marciano landed the heavyweight title in stunning fashion by poleaxing Jersey Joe Walcott.

On September 23, 1952, Rocky would conquer the crown, with his signature devastating “Suzy Q” overhead right KO, which knocked “Jersey” Joe Walcott unconscious in the thirteenth round.

The match was not easy for Rocky Marciano. Although was a heavy hitter, Walcott was an artful and skilled boxer. The aging fighter sent Rocky to the ground in round one with a well-timed left hook. However Rocky got up in order to gain control of the fight and get a KO win.

 Rocky Marciano vs. Jersey” Joe Walcott I was considered the 1952 Fight of the Year.

Although he was a world heavyweight champion, Marciano was far from rich. He had to keep fighting to achieve economic security plus well-being for his family. He defended his title six times. He again knocked out a shell-shocked Walcott, this time in less than a round. Joe didn`t beat the count. 

He won by unanimous decision over tough former champion Ezzard Charles and then knocked him out in eight grueling rounds, in spite of a horrendously split nose. Then English Don Cockell, a blacksmith, was hammered, dented, leveled and quenched by Rocky.

On September 21, 1955, Archie Moore was worn down and finally struck down in the ninth round. He`d briefly had Rocky down in the second but couldn’t make it stick.

That was the final fight for Marciano. Seven months later, alongside his manager Al Weill and his trainer Charley Goldman, Rocky announced his retirement as undefeated champion at just 32 years of age.

On August 31, 1969, Rocky and two of his friends boarded a single-engine airplane, in Des Moines, Iowa, to fly to Chicago. They never arrived. The plane crashed into a lonely field near Newton, Iowa, all dying. It was the day before Rocky`s forty sixth birthday.