He was known for his "relentless fighting style," "iron chin", and stamina. His nearly 90 percent win-to-knockout ratio remains one of the highest ever, and he successfully defended his heavyweight title six times. Below is a listing of his perfect career record. Marciano scored knockouts in 23 of his first 25 professional fights during a three-year period.
Marciano won the world heavyweight title in and defended it several times until his retirement in Marciano took the title in a September bout against Jersey Joe Walcott.
Marciano defended the title twice in and twice each year for the next two years. He knocked out his challengers in every bout. Marciano announced his retirement in April with a perfect record.
Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Farrell had planned to open a Des Moines-based insurance agency, and Marciano had agreed to come support his friend. The plane went down about 30 miles from Des Moines, in Newton, Iowa.
In retrospect, the accident was all the more tragic because it could easily have been avoided. To begin with, the plane had taken off despite warnings in Chicago of poor weather along their flight path. Even worse, the pilot was not qualified to fly a plane at night. A report conducted after the crash determined that Belz had found himself in circumstances that exceeded his experience and abilities.
A more professional approach would have been to weigh the known weather factors against his piloting experience, making a conservative judgment about whether it was safe to fly. Instead, the preventable accident cost the world a legendary boxer.
The world of boxing continues to uphold Marciano as one of the all-time greats. The Delite recently ranked Marciano as the 18th best boxer ever. Even today, graying boxing fans speak of Marciano with an almost religious reverence, always noting first and foremost the "equalizer" that was the heavyweight's right hand.
Marciano was small for a "big fellow," standing a mere 5-foot and weighing pounds. He moved with the grace of a man trudging through a bog. But the Brockton, Mass. Well, perhaps not an elephant, but certainly an opposing pugilist. Yet it is the talk of "The Streak" that Marciano's devotees savor, his unbeaten run that began in March of with a third-round knockout of Lee Epperson.
That KO became Marciano's calling card, which he delivered personally to 43 victims. Then, with an unblemished record, Rocky Marciano hung up his leathers for good -- retiring as the only undefeated heavyweight champion in history. This year marks the 50th anniversary of that achievement. It is one of sport's most hallowed accomplishments.
Yet some historians have opted to resist the Marciano bandwagon. As one famed trainer reportedly said, "Show me a fighter who's undefeated and I'll show you a fighter who hasn't fought anybody. The critics' primary grievance has always been the age of Marciano's aforementioned marquee opponents all of them were easily old enough to run for president.
Some detractors claim Marciano benefited from favoritism. Some allege that slick, undefeated heavyweight Roland LaStarza was robbed in his first bout with Marciano. There is some validity to the accusation that Marciano might have found himself the beneficiary of a bit of luck, but luck is an inherent part of any monumental streak.
Even Joe DiMaggio benefited from luck during his game hitting streak when -- on two occasions -- borderline errors were ruled hits. Others, such as Don King matchmaker Eric Bottjer, question the validity of Marciano's unbeaten record. Gene Tunney had a longer unbeaten streak [52 fights], and Marciano wasn't the only champion to retire undefeated; just look at flyweight Ricardo Lopez [ret.
Although both claims are true, both Tunney and Lopez incurred a "blemish" -- a draw -- during their respective streaks. But even Marciano's most stringent naysayers acknowledge the streak is significant on many fronts. The first, and perhaps most obvious, is the mode in which he disposed of his foes, as if he took it personally that they were trying to blemish his record.
His 88 percent career knockout rate surpasses that of Mike Tyson 78 percent , Sonny Liston 78 percent and far exceeds that of Muhammad Ali 66 percent. Secondly, even critics acknowledge that 49 consecutive victories speaks of Marciano's indefatigable work ethic.
Marciano's monastic training regimen was no secret; the man so easy with a smile out of the ring conditioned himself with a seriousness like no other heavyweight in history. Long runs and healthy living were a part of daily life.
Marciano ignored the distractions of money and fame. But the single-most impressive aspect of the streak was not a result of Marciano's action, but his restraint. Unlike so many other fighters in history, he resisted temptation to step back in the ring. Considering the toll fighting takes on the body, retirement would seem like the most appealing option.
It is not. For one, there are obvious fiscal considerations.
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