The Rock from Brockton began his amateur career while still enlisted in the U.S. Army. 1946 saw Marciano winning the Armed Forces Boxing Tournament. On the night on March 17, 1947, the Rock knocked out Lee Epperson in his first professional boxing match. He wouldn't box professionally again until July 12, 1948. His amateur career was not quite as impressive as his later heavyweight champion reign, concluding with eight wins and four losses.
Marciano held the world heavyweight about three years and seven months beginning on September 23, 1952 and ending with his retirement on April 27, 1956. Those 43 knockouts are even more impressive when you consider the total number of fights he participated in was 49. That’s an incredible knockout percentage of 87.75%. His first 16 fights all ended in knockouts.
During his impressive reign as world heavyweight champion he defeated Jersey Don Cockel, Joe Walcott, Roland La Starza, Archie Moore and Ezzard Charles twice to keep his title. The last fight Marciano competed in was against Archie Moore. The fight took place on September 21, 1955 and he announced his retirement from the sport at age 32 on April 27, 1956.
Rocky Marciano was a gifted boxer and competitor. His passion for the sport was undeniable. During his short career he achieved a record many subsequent boxers are still envious of. After retiring, Marciano never re-entered the ring in competition. He spent the remainder of his life pursuing other passion and died in a plane crash in August of 1969 at the age of 45.
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