If you have never heard the name, Rocky Marciano, you probably have never researched the history of boxing.
On May 15th, 1953, a 30-year-old, Rocky Marciano, would knock out Jersey Joe Walcott in the first round to retain his NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles. Jersey Joe Walcott spent his whole career coming up a tad bit short losing to Joe Louis and Ezzard Charles, each on two different occasions across four fights. Walcott’s luck would change as he would become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world in 1951, when he knocked out Ezzard Charles in their third bout facing each other, at the time Walcott became the oldest man to hold the heavyweight world title at 37-years-old. That record was broken by George Foreman in 1994 when he knocked out Michael Moorer.
After defeating Charles in their fourth bout, Walcott set his sights on Marciano, an undefeated fighter, who was emerging as one of the best of the decade. According to historians, Marciano was a slight betting favorite, going into the bout, but behind on the cards, Marciano stopped Walcott in the thirteenth round as he outlasted the heavyweight champion.
The rematch, which was Marciano’s first world title defense, took place eight months later in Chicago. With the first fight being a grueling battle, most expected the same, but what they got instead was possibly the most memorable moment of Maricano's career.
Marciano countered one of Walcott’s jabs and floored him with a right uppercut. Walcott was a second too late to beat the count, as this was Marciano's fast title defense of his undefeated and hall-of-fame career.
Marciano’s Perfection
Only a few fighters have the coveted undefeated record, the three that often spring to mind are Floyd Mayweather, Joe Calzaghe, and Rocky Marciano. Marciano would fight five more times after his two fights with Jersey Joe Walcott, and finish his career off at 49-0, with 43 KOs.
Marciano tragically passed away on August 31, 1969, the day before his 46th birthday, due to a plane crash.
Marciano is viewed as not just one of the greatest fighters in the history of boxing, but someone who personified the grit, determination, and toughness it takes to be an elite-level fighter. Marciano was often technically flawed compared to his opponents but used brute force, and weaponized endurance to get him to the promised land. Marciano is so iconic in the sport of boxing, that to this day, most people without seeing a fight of his, understand his importance to the sport of boxing.
Jersey Joe
After the second fight with Rocky Marciano, Jersey Joe Walcott never graced the ring again. In 1956, Walcott starred alongside Humphrey Bogart and Max Baer, in the film, The Harder They Fall. Walcott attempted to become a professional wrestler but with no luck.
His most notable achievement post his fighting career is not the best moment in the sport of boxing. Walcott refereed Muhammad Ali versus Sonny Liston and lost the count when moving Ali back to the neutral corner. It was such a lowlight that Walcott never was appointed as official after the bout.
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