Editing Rocky Marciano

{{Short description|American boxer (1923–1969)}}
{{distinguish|Roc Marciano|Rocky Graziano}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Citation style|date=March 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}

{{Infobox boxer
| name = Rocky Marciano
| realname = Rocco Francis Marchegiano
| image = Rocky Marciano Postcard 1953.jpg
| caption = Marciano, {{circa|1953}}
| nickname = {{plainlist|
*The Brockton Blockbuster
*The Rock from Brockton
}}
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=10|precision=0|out=cm}}<ref>''[[IBHOF]]'' [http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/modern/marciano.html"]; ''[[ESPN]]'' [https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2165594]; ''[[The Ring (magazine)]]'' [https://www.ringtv.com/124537-comparing-fighters-from-different-eras-can-be-perilous/]; ''[[The Guardian]]'' [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/nov/13/forgotten-story-rocky-marciano-muhammad-ali]; ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-07-02-sp-668-story.html]; ''[[Other Press]]''[https://theotherpress.ca/remembering-the-rock-from-brockton-rocky-marciano/]; ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' [https://vault.si.com/vault/1993/08/23/the-rock-former-heavyweight-champion-rocky-marciano-was-a-tough-fisted-brawler-in-the-ring-and-a-tightfisted-mystery-out-of-it]; ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'' [https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rocky-road-to-staying-at-top-of-the-game-20081011-gdsye8.html]; ''[[El Paso Times]]'' [https://eu.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2020/05/16/top-10-heavyweight-boxers-all-time-picked-matthew-aguilar/5204432002/];  ''[[Il Sole 24 Ore]]'' [https://st.ilsole24ore.com/art/SoleOnLine4/Sport/2008/09/rocky-marciano-route66_PRN.shtml]; ''The Boxing channel'' [https://tbc.ib.tv/boxing/this-is-classic/boxing-hall-of-fame-las-vegas-nv-presents-boxing-history-rocky-marciano]; ''NYFIGHTS'' [https://nyfights.com/worldwide/memorial-day-weekend-special-these-guys-fought-the-real-rocky-rocky-marciano/]; ''BOXINGNEWS24'' [https://www.boxingnews24.com/2009/08/rocky-marciano-vs-joe-calzaghe-comparing-the-legends/]; ''Boxing Writers'' [https://boxingwriter.co.uk/2008/09/12/resizing-the-big-men-jack-johnson-the-240lb-killer/]; ''SPORTINGNEWS'' [https://www.sportingnews.com/us/boxing/news/unbeaten-book-review-rocky-marciano-biography/1isbxgtqjfa321xa6gc27gvbx8]; ''THE ENTERPRISE'' [https://eu.enterprisenews.com/story/news/local/2019/08/25/remembering-rocky-50-years-ago/2710527007/]; ''Common reader'' [https://commonreader.wustl.edu/c/rocky-marciano-as-the-real-italian-stallion/]; ''Rodney Ohebesion'' [http://www.rodneyohebsion.com/rocky-marciano.htm]; ''Kids Britannica'' [https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Rocky-Marciano/329116]; ''Boxingnews24'' [https://www.boxingnews24.com/2013/08/the-best-heavyweights-under-6-foot/]; ''Boxeringweb'' [https://www.boxeringweb.net/index.php/rubriche/la-boxe-nella-storia/11260-61-anni-fa-dopo-il-magico-49-rocky-marciano-lascia-la-boxe.html]; ''Igor Vitale'' [https://www.igorvitale.org/la-stupenda-psicologia-di-rocky-marciano-analisi-ed-esempi-di-antifragilita/]; ''Il Guerriero'' [url=http://win.ilguerriero.it/pugilato/articoli/marciano.htm]; ''Il Foglio'' [https://www.ilfoglio.it/sport/2023/09/04/news/rocky-d-abruzzo-la-leggenda-marciano-a-cent-anni-dalla-nascita-5643357/]; ''La Testata'' [https://www.latestatamagazine.it/2023/04/rocky-marciano-il-bombardiere-di-brockton/];
*{{cite book |title=Rocky Marciano: "The Brockton Blockbuster" by John Jarrett. May 15 2018}}; 
*{{cite book |title=Unbeaten: Rocky Marciano's Fight for Perfection in a Crooked World by Mike Stanton. June 26, 2018}}; 
*{{cite book |title=Rocky Marciano"The King" by Giuliano Orlando. December 12, 2014}}; 
*{{cite book |title=Rocky Marciano: The Rock of His Times (Sport and Society) by Russell Sullivan. August 1, 2002}}; 
*{{cite book |title=Riflessioni sul pugilato" By Giorgio Vespignani Moreno Barbi. December 20, 2012}};
*{{cite book |title=Rocky Marciano - Il cammpione mai sconfitto" By Anthony Valenti. Gennaio 5, 2022}};
*{{cite book |title=Da Rocco Marchegiano a Rocky Marciano - 60 anni di ring. By Ripa Teatina Municipal authorities. September 2, 2007}};
*{{cite book |title=Gli anni di Rocky: Storia dei pesi massimi dal 1942 al 1955 By Maurizio Gandolfi. August 3, 2022}};
*{{cite book |title=Rocky Marciano blues - Una storia in quindici round e dodici battute" By Marco Pastonesi. August 25, 2023}};
*{{cite book |title=UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONGRESSIONAL RECORD VOLUME 154 PART 5. September 2008}}</ref>{{refn|group=nb|Also reported about 5 ft 9 in<ref>{{cite book |title=Redemption: The Life & Death of Rocky Marciano - Volume 1 by John Cameron, March 2013}}</ref>}}
| reach = 67 in<ref>
*[http://Youtube.com/watch?v=RFUJ3KDjrlI 1966 Rocky marciano interview]; 
*{{cite web |url=https://www.boxingnews24.com/2013/08/the-best-heavyweights-under-6-foot/ |title=The best heavyweights under 6-foot|date=August 4, 2013 }}
*{{cite book |title=Rocky Marciano: "The Brockton Blockbuster" by John Jarrett. May 15, 2018.}}; 
*{{cite book |title=Unbeaten: Rocky Marciano's Fight for Perfection in a Crooked World by Mike Stanton. June 26, 2018}}; 
*{{cite book |title=Rocky Marciano"The King" by Giuliano Orlando. December 12, 2014}}; 
*{{cite book |title=Rocky Marciano: The Rock of His Times (Sport and Society) by Russell Sullivan. August 1, 2002}}; 
*{{cite book |title=Riflessioni sul pugilato" By Giorgio Vespignani Moreno Barbi. December 20, 2012}};</ref>
| weight = [[Heavyweight]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|1923|9|1}}
| birth_place = [[Brockton, Massachusetts]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1969|8|31|1923|9|1}}
| death_place = [[Newton, Iowa]], U.S.
| style = [[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]
| total = 49
| wins = 49
| KO = 43
| signature = Rocky Marciano Signature.svg|center|170px
}}

'''Rocco Francis Marchegiano''' (September 1, 1923 – August 31, 1969; {{IPA|it|markeˈdʒaːno}}), better known as '''Rocky Marciano''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ɑːr|s|i|ˈ|ɑː|n|oʊ}}, {{IPA|it|marˈtʃaːno|lang}}), was an American [[professional boxer]] who competed from 1947 to 1955. He held the world [[heavyweight]] championship from 1952 to 1956, and remains the only heavyweight champion to [[list of undefeated boxing world champions|finish his career undefeated]].<ref name="TheBoxingChannel">(February 4, 2014). [https://tbc.ib.tv/boxing/this-is-classic/boxing-hall-of-fame-las-vegas-nv-presents-boxing-history-rocky-marciano/ "boxing-hall-of-fame-las-vegas-nv-presents-boxing-history-rocky-marciano"].</ref> His six title defenses were against [[Jersey Joe Walcott]] (from whom he had taken the title), [[Roland La Starza]], [[Ezzard Charles]] (twice), [[Don Cockell]] and [[Archie Moore]].

Known for his [[pressure fighter|relentless fighting style]], formidable punching power, stamina, and exceptionally durable [[chin (combat sports)|chin]], Marciano is considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.<ref name="Greatest Boxer Articles"><!--Hall of fame/Greatest Boxer Lists as grouped ref -->* [[Bert Randolph Sugar]] & [[Teddy Atlas]] [https://books.google.com/books?id=yNItDAPFctEC The Ultimate Book of Boxing Lists] Running Press, {{ISBN|0762441674}}
* [https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/greatest/featureVideo?page=greatest1120 ESPN.com, All-Time Greatest Boxers]
* James B. Roberts & Alexander G.Skutt [https://books.google.com/books?id=aA2LO_DGdu4C The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall of Fame Official Record Book], McBooks Press, {{ISBN|9781590131213}}
* The [[Mike Casey (sportswriter)|Mike Casey]] Archive [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/casey/MC_Marciano.htm The Cyber Boxing Zone]
* Russell Sullivan [https://books.google.com/books?id=BH4LHMbERT8C Rocky Marciano: The Rock of His Times], Illinois Press, {{ISBN|9780252027635}}
* International Boxing Research Organization [http://www.ibroresearch.com/2006/09/heavyweight-rankings/ heavyweight-rankings] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109100154/http://www.ibroresearch.com/2006/09/heavyweight-rankings/|date=November 9, 2016}}
* International Boxing Hall Of Fame [http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/modern/marciano.html IBHOF Modern Inductees], Rocky Marciano</ref> Marciano remains the only fighter to have [[World heavyweight boxing championship records and statistics#Highest knockout-to-beat-opponent percentage in title fights|stopped every opponent he ever faced]] for the world heavyweight title, and shares, with [[Joe Louis]], the highest [[knockout]]-to-win percentage in world heavyweight title fights at 85.71%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Highest_Knockout-To-Win_%26_Knockout-To-Beat-Opponent_Percentage_in_World_Heavyweight_Title_Fights#Highest_Knockout-To-Win_Percentage_in_World_Heavyweight_Title_Fights|title=Highest Knockout-To-Win & Knockout-To-Beat-Opponent Percentage in World Heavyweight Title Fights|access-date=December 11, 2020}}</ref> His career knockout-to-win percentage of 87.8% remains one of the highest in heavyweight boxing history. Marciano is ranked #14 in ''The Ring'' magazine's list of the 100 greatest punchers of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_100_Greatest_Punchers_of_All-Time! |title=The 100 Greatest Punchers of All-Time! - BoxRec |access-date=August 12, 2021 |archive-date=March 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322140916/http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_100_Greatest_Punchers_of_All-Time! |url-status=dead }}</ref> 
<!--End of grouped hall of fame refs-->

==Early life==
Born Rocco Francis Marchegiano on September 1, 1923, Rocky was raised on the south side of [[Brockton, Massachusetts]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Rocky Marciano|url=https://www.biography.com/athlete/rocky-marciano|access-date=August 2, 2021|website=Biography|date=July 23, 2020 |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>Casey Sherman & Dave Wedge: ''[https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2018/10/17/peter-marciano/ The Rocky Road of Peter Marciano]''. [[Boston (magazine)|Boston]], 2018,</ref> His parents, Pierino Marchegiano and Pasqualina Picciuto, were both immigrants from Italy.<ref name=":0" /> His father was from [[Ripa Teatina]], [[Abruzzo]], while his mother was from [[San Bartolomeo in Galdo]], [[Campania]]. Marciano had two brothers, Louis (aka Sonny) and Peter, and three sisters, Alice, Concetta and Elizabeth. When he was about 18 months old, Marciano contracted [[pneumonia]], from which he almost died.[[File:Main Street, Looking North From Crescent, Brockton, MA.jpg|thumb|The Main Street of [[Brockton, Massachusetts]], Rocky's hometown]]In his youth, he worked out on homemade [[Weight training|weightlifting]] equipment (later in his life, Marciano was also a client of [[Charles Atlas]])<ref>[http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/Muscle-Man.html?c=y "Charles Atlas: Muscle Man"] by Jonathan Black, ''Smithsonian'' magazine, August 2009.</ref> and used a stuffed mailbag that hung from a tree in his back yard as a [[heavy bag]]. He attended [[Brockton High School]], where he played both baseball and football. However, he was cut from the school baseball team because he had joined a church league, violating a school rule forbidding players from joining other teams. He dropped out of school after finishing tenth grade.

Marciano then worked as a chute man on delivery trucks for the Brockton Ice and Coal Company. He also worked as a ditchdigger, railroad layer and shoemaker.{{sfn|Skehan|1977|p=32}} He was a resident of [[Hanson, Massachusetts]]; the house he lived in still stands on Main Street.

During the [[World War II|Second World War]], Marciano was drafted into the [[United States Army|US Army]] in March 1943, serving for three years. Stationed in [[Swansea]], [[Wales]], he helped ferry supplies across the [[English Channel]] to [[Normandy]]. After the war ended, he completed his service in March 1946 at [[Fort Lewis (Washington)|Fort Lewis]], Washington.{{sfn|Skehan|1977|p=39}}

==Amateur career==
Marciano's amateur record was 8–4.{{sfn|Skehan|1977|p=73}}  While awaiting discharge, Marciano represented the Army and won the 1946 Amateur Armed Forces boxing tournament. His amateur career was briefly interrupted on March 17, 1947, when Marciano stepped into the ring as a professional competitor at the [[Valley Arena Gardens]] of [[Holyoke, Massachusetts]], being billed as "Rocky Mackianno of Westover Field".<ref>{{cite news|work=Springfield Union|location=Springfield, Mass.|date=March 17, 1947|page=7|title=Saint Paul and Tommy Hubert on Arena Card}}</ref><ref name="rockoftime">{{cite book|year=2002|publisher=University of Illinois Press|location=Urbana and Chicago|chapter=Holyoke|pages=9–12|title=Rocky Marciano: The Rock of His Times|last=Sullivan|first=Russell|isbn=9780252027635|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BH4LHMbERT8C&pg=PA9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BH4LHMbERT8C&pg=PA0}}</ref> That night, he knocked out local fighter Lee Epperson in three rounds. In an unusual move, Marciano returned to the amateur ranks and fought in the [[Golden Gloves]] All-East Championship Tournament in March 1948. He was controversially beaten by [[Coley Wallace]].{{sfn|Skehan|1977|p=69}} He continued to fight as an amateur throughout the spring and competed in the [[Amateur Athletic Union|AAU]] Olympic tryouts in the [[Boston Garden]]. There, he knocked out George McInnis, but hurt his hands during the bout and was forced to withdraw from the tournament. That was his last amateur bout.{{sfn|Skehan|1977|p=70}}

In late March 1947, Marciano and several friends traveled to [[Fayetteville, North Carolina]], to try out for the [[Fayetteville Cubs]], a farm team for the [[Chicago Cubs]] baseball team.{{sfn|Skehan|1977|p=66}} Marciano lasted three weeks before being cut. After failing to find a spot on another team, he returned to Brockton and began boxing training with longtime friend Allie Colombo. [[Al Weill]] and [[Chick Wergeles]] served as his managers and [[Charley Goldman]] as his trainer and teacher.

==Professional career==
Although he had one professional fight (against Lee Epperson) on his record, Marciano began fighting permanently as a professional boxer on July 12, 1948. That night, he notched a win over Harry Bilazarian (3–6–0). He won his first 16 bouts by knockout, all before the fifth round and nine before the first round was over. Don Mogard (17–9–1) became the first boxer to last [[The distance (boxing)|the distance]] (full 10 rounds scheduled) with "The Rock", but Marciano won by unanimous decision.
[[File:Rocky Marciano 1951.jpg|alt=|thumb|Marciano's professional training routine was notable for being extremely strict and physically exhausting<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bruno |first=Al |date=December 2022 |title=Rocky Marciano's Training Routine Defines His Unbeaten Boxing Legacy |url=https://www.lagazzettaitaliana.com/people/10103-rocky-marciano-s-training-routine-defines-his-unbeaten-boxing-legacy |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=www.lagazzettaitaliana.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>]]
Early in his career, he changed the spelling of his last name, "Marchegiano". The ring announcer in [[Providence, Rhode Island]], could not pronounce it, so Marciano's handler, Al Weill, suggested they create a pseudonym. The first suggestion was Rocky Mack, which Marciano rejected, deciding to go with the more Italian-sounding "Marciano".<ref>{{cite web |first=Ed |last=Fitzgerald |date=January 1953 |url=http://www.thesportgallery.com/rockymarciano2.html |title=Rocky Marciano – The Blockbuster from Brockton |access-date=October 23, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502012324/http://www.thesportgallery.com/rockymarciano2.html |archive-date=May 2, 2009 |work=thesportgallery.com}}</ref>

Marciano won three more fights by knockout, and then he met [[Ted Lowry]] (58–48–9). Marciano kept his winning streak alive, beating Lowry by unanimous decision. Four more knockout wins then followed, including a five-rounder on December 19, 1949, with Phil Muscato (56–20–0), an experienced [[heavyweight]] from [[Buffalo, New York]], being the first "name fighter" Marciano faced.

=== Marciano vs Vingo ===
Three weeks after the Phil Muscato fight, Marciano defeated [[Carmine Vingo]] (16–1–0) by a sixth-round knockout in New York. Carmine was a promising prospect who was 16–1, with his loss controversial. Marciano was 24–0 at the time of the fight. The winner would be declared the white hope in the division. Rocky Marciano dropped Vingo in the first and second round, but by the fifth Vingo was gaining momentum. At 1:46 in the sixth round Marciano knocked out Vingo with a right uppercut.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rocky Marciano vs. Carmine Vingo - BoxRec|url=https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Rocky_Marciano_vs._Carmine_Vingo|access-date=November 16, 2020|website=boxrec.com}}</ref> Vingo was unconscious and taken to the hospital on a [[stretcher]], as there were no ambulances available. As Vingo was given 50/50 survival odds, a priest administered [[last rites]]; however, Vingo pulled through and survived, befriending Marciano later on in life.

===Marciano vs. Roland La Starza===
{{main|Rocky Marciano vs. Roland La Starza}}
On March 24, 1950, Marciano met his first ranked opponent when he fought [[Roland La Starza]] (37-0), winning by a close split decision. La Starza may have come closer than any other boxer to defeating Marciano as a professional. The scoring for the bout was 5–4, 4–5, and 5–5. Marciano won on a supplemental point system used by New York and Massachusetts at that time. The contemporary scoring system did not award extra points for a knockdown, which Marciano scored when he knocked down La Starza in the fourth round. Referee Watson decided the bout, scoring it for Marciano.

===Subsequent bouts===
Marciano scored three more knockouts in a row before a rematch with Lowry (61–56–10), Marciano again winning by unanimous decision. After that, he scored four more knockouts and, after a decision over [[Red Applegate]] (11–14–2) in late April 1951, he was showcased on national television for the first time, knocking out [[Rex Layne]] (34–1–2) in six rounds on July 12, 1951.

On October 27, 1951, the 28-year-old Marciano took on the great [[Joe Louis]]. Despite Louis being well past his prime, Marciano was a 6½-to-5 underdog.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Sp0VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9AsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5608,1297081&dq=rocky+marciano&hl=en Rocky Marchiano KO's Joe Louis]. ''Eugene Register-Guard'' – October 26, 1951</ref> Marciano knocked Louis out in the eighth round, sending the former champion collapsing out of the ring in what would be his final fight.

After four more wins in 1952, including knockout victories over former European heavyweight champion [[Lee Savold]] (96–37–3) and top contender [[Harry Matthews (boxer)|Harry Matthews]] (81–3–5), Marciano received a shot at the world title later that year.

===Championship fights===
[[File:Roland La Starza vs. Rocky Marciano 1953.jpg|thumb|Marciano sends La Starza through the ropes during their [[Rocky Marciano vs. Roland La Starza|1953 title fight]]|240x240px]]
Marciano, 29, [[Rocky Marciano vs. Jersey Joe Walcott|faced the World Heavyweight Champion]], [[Jersey Joe Walcott]], in [[Philadelphia]] on September 23, 1952. Walcott dropped Marciano in the first round and steadily built a points lead. In the 13th, Walcott used his trademark feint to set up his right hand, but Marciano's "Suzie Q" landed first, a powerful right hook causing Walcott to slump to his knees with his arm draped over the ropes. He lay motionless long after he had been counted out and Marciano became the new World Heavyweight Champion. At the time of the stoppage, Walcott was leading on all scorecards, 8–4, 7–5, and 7–4.

His first defense came the following year in May – a rematch against Walcott, now 39, who this time was knocked out in the first round.

His next defense was held five months later, in what would be a [[Rocky Marciano vs. Roland La Starza|rematch]] with his old rival, Roland La Starza. After La Starza built a small lead on the judges' scorecards all the way through the middle rounds, Marciano eventually gained the upper hand and won the fight by a technical knockout in the 11th round.[[File:Rocky Marciano - 10 April 1954 - St. Paul Armory Wrestling Program.jpg|thumb|Marciano in 1954|left|286x286px]]Marciano then fought [[Rocky Marciano vs. Ezzard Charles|two consecutive bouts]] against former world Heavyweight Champion and [[light heavyweight]] legend [[Ezzard Charles]], who became the only man to ever last a full 15 rounds against Marciano.<ref>Will Hammock (June 5, 2010). "[http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/2010/jun/05/the-champ-county-to-honor-legendary-boxer-charles/ The Champ: County to honor legendary boxer Charles today] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906135422/http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/2010/jun/05/the-champ-county-to-honor-legendary-boxer-charles/ |date=September 6, 2015 }}." ''Gwinnett Daily Post''</ref> Marciano won the first fight, held at Yankee Stadium on June 17, 1954, on points.  Referee Ruby Goldstein scored the bout 8–5–2 in rounds for the champion. Judge Artie Aidala scored it 9–5–1 for Marciano while judge Harold Barnes had it 8–6–1. Marciano gave Charles a rematch, and the much anticipated fight was held four months later at the same venue. Marciano controlled most of the action during the fight, but was cut badly on the nose at the end of the sixth round. Unable to get the bleeding to stop, and fearing a possible stoppage by the fight doctor, Marciano went in for the finish, and soon succeeded, knocking Charles out in the eighth round.

Marciano's next title defense came on May 16 1955, against the British heavyweight Champion [[Don Cockell]], held at [[Kezar Stadium]] in [[San Francisco]]. Marciano controlled most of the fight, and Cockell was knocked down several times before the fight was stopped in the ninth round.

Marciano's [[Rocky Marciano vs. Archie Moore|final title defense]] was against the number one contender and [[List of world light-heavyweight boxing champions|light-heavyweight champion]], Archie Moore, on September 21, 1955. The bout was originally scheduled for September 20, but because of hurricane warnings, it had to be delayed a day. Marciano was knocked down for a four-count in the second round, but quickly recovered and retained his title with a knockout in round nine.

Marciano announced his retirement on April 27, 1956, at he age of 32.<ref>{{cite book
 |last = Mullan
 |first = Harry 
 |title = Boxing: The Definitive Illustrated Guide to World Boxing
 |publisher = Carlton Books
 |year = 1996
 |location = London, England
 |page = 81
 |isbn = 0-7858-0641-5}}</ref> He finished his career an undefeated champion, with a final record of 49–0, 43 of them ending in knockouts.

==Life after boxing==
Marciano considered a comeback in 1959 when [[Ingemar Johansson]] won the Heavyweight Championship from [[Floyd Patterson]] on June 26, 1959. After only a month of training in nearly four years, Marciano decided against it and never seriously considered a comeback again.{{sfn|Skehan|1977|p=257}}
[[File:Unidentified_man,_boxer_Rocky_Marciano,_Mayor_John_F._Collins,_and_singer_Jimmy_Durante_(10559562993).jpg|right|thumb|Marciano with Boston Mayor [[John F. Collins]] (center-right) and singer [[Jimmy Durante]] (right), 1968]]
After his retirement, Marciano entered the world of television, first hosting a weekly boxing show on TV in 1961 and later appearing in the ''[[Combat!]]'' episode "Masquerade". For a brief period, he worked as a troubleshooting referee in wrestling (Marciano was a good wrestler in high school). He continued as a referee and boxing commentator in boxing matches for many years. He was also active in business as a partner and vice president of Papa Luigi Spaghetti Dens, a San Francisco-based franchise company formed by Joe Kearns and James Braly.

Marciano had two children—a daughter, Mary Anne (born 1952), who died on June 3, 2011, of complications from a respiratory illness<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/x1009130688/Daughter-of-Brockton-boxer-Rocky-Marciano-dies|title=Daughter of Brockton boxer Rocky Marciano dies at 58|first=Maria|last=Papadopoulos|access-date=May 12, 2017|archive-date=August 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821130000/http://www.wickedlocal.com/x1009130688/Daughter-of-Brockton-boxer-Rocky-Marciano-dies|url-status=dead}}</ref> and a son, Rocco Kevin (born 1968). Mary Anne had several run-ins with the law in Florida in the 1980s and 1990s, getting arrested and charged with assault and armed robbery after previously serving jail time for cocaine possession.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1992-02-15/news/9201080830_1_cocaine-rocky-marciano-father|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530151550/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1992-02-15/news/9201080830_1_cocaine-rocky-marciano-father|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 30, 2013|title=Marciano's Daughter Hit In Losing Fights Drug Conviction Latest Blow For Woman Who Blames Herself}}</ref> [[Joey Marciano]], a [[professional baseball]] player, is a cousin twice removed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/italy-pitcher-joey-marciano-is-related-to-rocky|title=The Team Italy pitcher related to Rocky|work=MLB.com|first=Matt|last=Monagan|date=March 7, 2023|accessdate=March 10, 2023}}</ref>

In late July 1969, shortly before his death, Marciano participated in the filming of  ''[[The Super Fight|The Superfight: Marciano vs. Ali]]''. The two boxers were filmed sparring, then the film was edited to match a computer simulation of a hypothetical fight between them, each in his prime. It aired on January 20, 1970, with one version having Marciano winning and the second version having Ali winning.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ali vs. Marciano: Who wins?|url=http://www.enterprisenews.com/article/20090901/News/309019646 |work=[[The Enterprise (Brockton)|The Enterprise]] |date=September 1, 2009 |access-date=July 19, 2016}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In 1947, Marciano met Barbra Cousins, daughter of a Brockton police sergeant. The two were married on December 31, 1950. They had a daughter, Mary Ann, and later adopted a son, Rocco Junior.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1974-09-10 |title=Marciano's Widow Dies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/09/10/archives/marcianos-widow-dies.html |access-date=2024-04-30 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Marciano was a devout Catholic<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://listserv.utk.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A3=ind19&L=CSSR&E=quoted-printable&P=812511&B=--_000_DM5PR02MB2299648FBCC9A90C3CF3DEABDD4A0DM5PR02MB2299namp_&T=text/html;+charset=us-ascii&XSS=3&header=1|title=LISTSERV 16.5 - CSSR Archives|website=listserv.utk.edu}}</ref> and often attended [[Catholic mass]] during training and before a fight.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/03/08/why-boxing-was-most-catholic-sport-almost-100-years|title=Why boxing was the most Catholic sport for almost 100 years|date=March 8, 2019|website=America Magazine}}</ref> He once stated "the biggest thrill I can think of would be an audience with the Pope".<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BH4LHMbERT8C&dq=rocky+marciano+The+biggest+thrill+I+could+think+of+would+be+an+audience+with+the+pope&pg=PA242 | title=Rocky Marciano: The Rock of His Times | isbn=9780252027635 | last1=Sullivan | first1=Russell | date=August 2002 | publisher=University of Illinois Press }}</ref>

==Death==

{{Main|1969 Newton Cessna 172 crash}}
On August 31, 1969 (the day before his 46th birthday), Marciano was a passenger in a small private plane, a [[Cessna 172]]<ref>[http://www.check-six.com/Crash_Sites/MarcianoCessna.htm Fights and Flights... The Crash of Rocky Marciano's Cessna]. Check-six.com (August 31, 1969). Retrieved on 2012-08-09.</ref> heading to [[Des Moines, Iowa]] from [[Midway International Airport|Chicago Midway]]. It was night and bad weather had set in. The pilot, Glenn Belz, had only 231 total hours of flying time, 35 of them at night, and had no [[instrument rating]]. Belz tried to land the plane at a small airfield outside [[Newton, Iowa]] but the aircraft hit a tree two miles short of the runway. Flying with Marciano in the back seat was Frankie Farrell, 28, the oldest son of organized crime figure [[Louis Fratto|Lew Farrell]].<ref name="check-six.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.check-six.com/Crash_Sites/MarcianoCessna.htm|title=Rocky Marciano|website=www.check-six.com}}</ref> Marciano, Belz, and Farrell were killed on impact.<ref name="check-six.com"/><ref name = "Champions 51"/>{{refn|group=nb|When rescuers reached the crashed aircraft, they saw Marciano's body still strapped in a seat. Upon hearing what had happened, people in boxing remembered what was said about [[Stanley Ketchel]] after Ketchel had been shot dead: "Start counting ten over him. He'll get up."<ref name = "Champions 51">{{cite book|title=Boxing The Champions|first1=Ken |last1=Jones |first2=Chris |last2=Smith|publisher=The Crowood Press|pages = 51|year=1990}}</ref>}}

The [[National Transportation Safety Board]] report said, "The pilot attempted an operation exceeding his experience and ability level, continued visual flight rules under adverse weather conditions and experienced [[spatial disorientation]] in the last moments of the flight."<ref>[http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=1705&more=1 Thirty Fifth Anniversary Of The Death Of Rocky Marciano] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418180842/http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=1705&more=1 |date=April 18, 2012 }}. Eastsideboxing.com. Retrieved on August 9, 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-93382.html Rocky Marciano raised money for the fight against Muscular Dystrophy. [Archive&#93; – Boxing Forum]. Boxingscene.com. Retrieved on August 9, 2012.</ref> Marciano was on his way to give a speech to support his friend's son and there was a surprise birthday celebration waiting for him. He had hoped to return in the early morning for his 46th birthday celebration with his wife. He was coming from a dinner in [[Chicago]] at [[STP (motor oil company)|STP]] CEO [[Andy Granatelli]]'s home.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thegazette.com/history/time-machine-iowas-connections-to-boxing-superstar-rocky-marciano/ |title=Time Machine: Iowa's connections to boxing superstar Rocky Marciano |work=The Gazette |first=Diane |last=Fannon-Langton |date=September 7, 2021 |access-date=December 9, 2021 }}</ref>

Marciano is interred in a crypt at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]]. His wife died five years later at the age of 46 due to lung cancer and is entombed next to him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.check-six.com/Crash_Sites/MarcianoCessna.htm|title=Rocky Marciano|website=www.check-six.com|access-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:EisenhowerRockyJoe.jpg|thumb|Marciano and [[Joe DiMaggio]] visiting President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] at the White House in 1953]]
Marciano holds the record with heavyweight [[Brian Nielsen (boxer)|Brian Nielsen]] for the longest undefeated streak by a heavyweight.<ref name="nbcsports">{{cite web |date=September 18, 2009 |title=The fans' top 5 greatest boxers of all time |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/fans-top-5-greatest-boxers-all-time#slide-3 |url-status=dead |access-date=August 26, 2021 |work=NBC Sports |archive-date=June 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611101454/https://www.nbcsports.com/fans-top-5-greatest-boxers-all-time#slide-3 }}</ref> He is also the only world heavyweight champion to go [[List of undefeated world boxing champions|undefeated throughout his professional career]]. Although heavyweight champion [[Gene Tunney]] never suffered a defeat at heavyweight and retired as champion, he lost one career fight at light heavyweight, and his longest win streak was 32, with his overall record being 82-1-4(D)-1(NC). Marciano also has the highest knockout percentage of any heavyweight champion in history (over the period of a career) with 87.76%. In his professional career, he was only knocked down twice. The first occurred in his first title fight against Jersey Joe Walcott, and the second occurred against Archie Moore.

Despite his perfect record and retiring as champion, Marciano has sometimes been criticized for the allegedly low quality of opposition he faced during his career.<ref>Durant, John. 1971. ''The Heavyweight Champions''. Hastings House.</ref> At the time of his first fight with Roland La Starza, some experts believed it was La Starza and not Marciano who deserved the decision.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VcKGH5Oju1gC&dq=la+starza+marciano&pg=PA49 | isbn=9780313379734 | title=Boxing in America: An Autopsy | date=June 21, 2012 | publisher=Abc-Clio }}</ref>

These criticisms notwithstanding, over the decades Marciano has been ranked highly in several all-time boxing lists. In December 1962, a ''Ring'' poll of 40 boxing experts placed Marciano as the seventh-best heavyweight of all time. Boxing historian Charlie Rose rated Marciano as the eight-best heavyweight of all time in 1968,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/charley-rose-top-10-in-the-8-traditional-divisions.200910/ | title=Charley Rose top 10 in the 8 Traditional divisions }}</ref> while John McCallum's survey of boxing historians and writers listed him as the ninth-best all-timer in the division.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120707091001/http://boxinguniverse.yuku.com/topic/87 Heavyweight lists from 3 historical heavyweights. in Boxing History Forum]. Boxinguniverse.yuku.com. Retrieved on August 9, 2012.</ref> In 1971, [[Nat Fleischer]], a boxing historian and founder of [[The Ring (magazine)|''The Ring'']], named Marciano as the 10th all-time greatest [[heavyweight]] champion.<ref>{{cite web
 |work = The Ring Online
 |title = Clay An All-Time Top 10? Definitely No!|author=Nat Fleischer
 |url = http://www.thering-online.com/ringpages/boxinghistory.html#clayalltime
 |date = September 1971
 |access-date = January 18, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070113104323/http://www.thering-online.com/ringpages/boxinghistory.html#clayalltime |archive-date = January 13, 2007}}</ref>

In 1998, ''The Ring'' named Marciano as the sixth greatest heavyweight champion ever. In 2002, ''The Ring'' placed him at number 12 on the list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years. In 2003, ''The Ring'' rated Marciano number 14 on the list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. In 2005, he was named the fifth greatest heavyweight of all time by the International Boxing Research Organization.<ref>{{cite web
 |work         = International Boxing Research Organization
 |title        = All Time Rankings
 |url          = http://www.ibroresearch.com/All%20Time%20Rankings.htm
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20051221042505/http://www.ibroresearch.com/All%20Time%20Rankings.htm
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-date = December 21, 2005
 |date         = March 2005
 |access-date   = January 18, 2007
}}</ref> In 2007, on ESPN.com's list of the 50 Greatest Boxers of All Time, Marciano was ranked number 14, and was the 5th highest ranked heavyweight, behind (in order) [[Muhammad Ali]], [[Joe Louis]], [[Jack Johnson (boxer)|Jack Johnson]], and [[Jack Dempsey]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/greatest/featureVideo?page=greatest1120 |title=Who's the Greatest? |work=ESPN |last=Mulvaney |first=Kieran |access-date=August 26, 2021 }}</ref>

Marciano's punch was tested and it was featured in the December 1963 issue of ''Boxing Illustrated'': "Marciano's knockout blow packs more explosive energy than an armor-piercing bullet and represents as much energy as would be required to spot lift 1000 pounds one foot off the ground."<ref>[http://www.kolumbus.fi/Luodes/Rocky1.JPG A picture of Marciano's punch test at Kolumbus.fi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228150256/http://www.kolumbus.fi/Luodes/Rocky1.JPG |date=February 28, 2008 }}. Retrieved on August 9, 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.kolumbus.fi/Luodes/Rocky2.JPG A further picture of Marciano's punch test at Kolumbus.fi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228150306/http://www.kolumbus.fi/Luodes/Rocky2.JPG |date=February 28, 2008 }}. Retrieved on August 9, 2012.</ref>

Marciano was named fighter of the year by ''The Ring'' three times. His three championship fights between 1952 and 1954 were named fights of the year by the magazine. Marciano won the [[Boxing Writers Association of America|BWAA]] [[Sugar Ray Robinson Award]] (then known as the Edward J. Neil Trophy) in 1952. In 2006, an ESPN poll voted Marciano's 1952 championship bout against Walcott as the greatest knockout ever. Marciano also received the [[Hickok Belt]] for top professional athlete of the year in 1952. [[Murray Goodman]] later recalled that Ray Hickok, founder of the award, also presented Rocky with a hundred miniature boxing gloves, which Rocky was selling a week later for $1 a pair.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA1XPF4ZM2o&t=1665 In this Corner – Boxing's Legendary Heavyweights (Documentary)], HBO.</ref> In 1955, he was voted the second most important American athlete of the year.

Marciano is a member of the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]] and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.

A bronze statue of Marciano was planned for a 2009 completion date in his hometown of [[Brockton, Massachusetts]], as a gift to the city by the [[World Boxing Council]]. The artist, Mario Rendon, head of the Instituto Universitario de las Bellas Artes in [[Colima]], Mexico, was selected to sculpt the statue.<ref>Papadopoulos, Maria. (July 10, 2008) [http://www.enterprisenews.com/homepage/x875597641/Where-to-put-Rocky Where to put Rocky? – Brockton, MA – The Enterprise]. Enterprisenews.com. Retrieved on 2012-08-09.</ref> After years of delays in the planning stages,<ref>Papadopoulos, Maria. (November 18, 2010) [http://www.tauntongazette.com/archive/x2105639313/Brockton-s-Rocky-Marciano-Statue-Committee-wants-meeting-with-World-Boxing-Council Brockton's Rocky Marciano Statue Committee wants meeting with World Boxing Council – Taunton, MA – ''Taunton Daily Gazette''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929182020/http://www.tauntongazette.com/archive/x2105639313/Brockton-s-Rocky-Marciano-Statue-Committee-wants-meeting-with-World-Boxing-Council |date=September 29, 2011 }}. Tauntongazette.com. Retrieved on 2012-08-09.</ref> the groundbreaking for the statue was held on April 1, 2012, on the grounds of Brockton High School.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130122081601/http://www.enterprisenews.com/rocky/x760613880/Brockton-breaks-ground-for-Rocky-Marciano-statue Brockton breaks ground for Rocky Marciano statue – Brockton, MA – The Enterprise]. Enterprisenews.com (April 1, 2012). Retrieved on 2012-08-09.</ref> The statue was officially unveiled on September 23, 2012, which was the 60th anniversary of Marciano winning the world heavyweight title.<ref>{{cite web | title=Rocky Marciano Statue | url=http://www.brockton.ma.us/Visitors/rocky-marciano-statue | access-date=November 18, 2014 | archive-date=November 4, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104214037/http://www.brockton.ma.us/Visitors/rocky-marciano-statue | url-status=dead }}</ref> A bronze statue of Marciano was also erected in [[Ripa Teatina]], Italy,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.italyheritage.com/great-italians/sport/marciano-rocky.htm|title=Rocky Marciano|website=www.italyheritage.com}}</ref> to celebrate the birthplace of Marciano's father.

==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|ko-wins=43
|dec-wins=6
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Location
!Notes
|-
|49
|{{yes2}}Win
|49–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Archie Moore]]
|KO
|9 (15), {{small|1:19}}
|[[Rocky Marciano vs. Archie Moore|Sept 21, 1955]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' heavyweight titles}}
|-
|48
|{{yes2}}Win
|48–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Don Cockell]]
|TKO
|9 (15), {{small|0:54}}
|May 16, 1955
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Kezar Stadium]], [[San Francisco, California]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' heavyweight titles}}
|-
|47
|{{yes2}}Win
|47–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Ezzard Charles]]
|KO
|8 (15), {{small|2:36}}
|[[Rocky Marciano vs. Ezzard Charles II|Sep 17, 1954]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' heavyweight titles}}
|-
|46
|{{yes2}}Win
|46–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Ezzard Charles]]
|UD
|15
|[[Rocky Marciano vs. Ezzard Charles|Jun 17, 1954]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' heavyweight titles}}
|-
|45
|{{yes2}}Win
|45–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Roland La Starza]]
|TKO
|11 (15)
|[[Rocky Marciano vs. Roland La Starza|Sep 24, 1953]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Polo Grounds III|Polo Grounds]], New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' heavyweight titles}}
|-
|44
|{{yes2}}Win
|44–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Jersey Joe Walcott]]
|KO
|1 (15), {{small|2:25}}
|[[Rocky Marciano vs. Jersey Joe Walcott|May 15, 1953]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Chicago Stadium]], [[Chicago, Illinois]], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained NYSAC, NBA, and ''The Ring'' heavyweight titles}}
|-
|43
|{{yes2}}Win
|43–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Jersey Joe Walcott]]
|KO
|13 (15), {{small|0:43}}
|[[Rocky Marciano vs. Jersey Joe Walcott|Sep 23, 1952]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Philadelphia Municipal Stadium|Municipal Stadium]], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won [[New York State Athletic Commission|NYSAC]], [[list of WBA world champions#Heavyweight|NBA]], and [[list of The Ring world champions#Heavyweight|''The Ring'' heavyweight titles]]}}
|-
|42
|{{yes2}}Win
|42–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Harry Matthews (boxer)|Harry Matthews]]
|KO
|2 (10), {{small|2:04}}
|Jul 28, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Yankee Stadium (1923)|Yankee Stadium]], New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|41
|{{yes2}}Win
|41–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Bernie Reynolds
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|2:21}}
|May 12, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|40
|{{yes2}}Win
|40–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Gino Buonvino
|KO
|2 (10), {{small|1:35}}
|Apr 21, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|39
|{{yes2}}Win
|39–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Lee Savold]]
|{{abbr|RTD|Corner retirement}}
|6 (10), {{small|3:00}}
|Feb 13, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
|
|-
|38
|{{yes2}}Win
|38–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Joe Louis]]
|TKO
|8 (10)
|Oct 26, 1951
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|37
|{{yes2}}Win
|37–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Freddie Beshore
|KO
|4 (10), {{small|0:50}}
|Aug 27, 1951
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Boston Garden]], Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.}}
|
|-
|36
|{{yes2}}Win
|36–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Rex Layne]]
|KO
|6 (10), {{small|0:35}}
|Jul 12, 1951
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|35
|{{yes2}}Win
|35–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Red Applegate|Willis Applegate]]
|UD
|10
|Apr 30, 1951
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|34
|{{yes2}}Win
|34–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Art Henri
|TKO
|9 (10), {{small|2:51}}
|Mar 26, 1951
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|33
|{{yes2}}Win
|33–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Harold Mitchell
|TKO
|2 (10), {{small|2:45}}
|Mar 20, 1951
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, [[Hartford, Connecticut]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|32
|{{yes2}}Win
|32–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Keene Simmons
|TKO
|8 (10), {{small|2:54}}
|Jan 29, 1951
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|31
|{{yes2}}Win
|31–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Bill Wilson
|TKO
|1 (10), {{small|1:50}}
|Dec 18, 1950
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|30
|{{yes2}}Win
|30–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Ted Lowry]]
|UD
|10
|Nov 13, 1950
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|29
|{{yes2}}Win
|29–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Johnny Shkor
|TKO
|6 (10), {{small|1:28}}
|Sep 18, 1950
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|28
|{{yes2}}Win
|28–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Gino Buonvino
|TKO
|10 (10), {{small|0:25}}
|Jul 10, 1950
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Braves Field]], [[Boston, Massachusetts]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|27
|{{yes2}}Win
|27–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Eldridge Eatman
|TKO
|3 (10)
|Jun 5, 1950
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|26
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Roland La Starza]]
|{{abbr|SD|Split decision}}
|10
|[[Rocky Marciano vs. Roland La Starza|Mar 24, 1950]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|25
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Carmine Vingo]]
|KO
|6 (10), {{small|1:46}}
|Dec 30, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|24
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Phil Muscato
|TKO
|5 (10), {{small|1:15}}
|Dec 19, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|23
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Pat Richards
|TKO
|2 (8), {{small|0:39}}
|Dec 2, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Madison Square Garden (1925)|Madison Square Garden]], [[New York City, New York]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Joe Dominic
|KO
|2 (10), {{small|2:26}}
|Nov 7, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Ted Lowry]]
|UD
|10
|Oct 10, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|20
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Tommy DiGiorgio
|KO
|4 (10), {{small|2:04}}
|Sep 26, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|19
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Pete Louthis
|KO
|3 (10)
|Aug 16, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|New Page Arena, [[New Bedford, Massachusetts]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|18
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–0
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Harry Haft]]
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|2:21}}
|Jul 18, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|17
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Don Mogard
|{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}}
|10
|May 23, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|16
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Jimmy Evans
|TKO
|3 (10)
|May 2, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Jimmy Walls
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|2:44}}
|Apr 11, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Artie Donato
|KO
|1 (10), {{small|0:33}}
|Mar 28, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Johnny Pretzie
|TKO
|5 (10), {{small|1:46}}
|Mar 21, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Gilley Ferron
|TKO
|2 (6), {{small|2:21}}
|Dec 14, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Philadelphia Convention Hall|Convention Hall]], [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–0
|style="text-align:left;"|James Patrick Connolly
|TKO
|1 (8), {{small|1:57}}
|Nov 29, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|10
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Bob Jefferson
|TKO
|2 (6), {{small|2:30}}
|Oct 4, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Gilbert Cardone
|KO
|1 (4), {{small|0:36}}
|Sep 30, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Uline Arena]], [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Bill Hardeman
|KO
|1 (6)
|Sep 20, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Humphrey Jackson
|KO
|1 (6), {{small|1:08}}
|Sep 13, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Jimmy Weeks
|TKO
|1 (6), {{small|2:50}}
|Aug 30, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Eddie Ross
|KO
|1 (6), {{small|1:03}}
|Aug 23, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|4
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Bobby Quinn
|KO
|3 (4), {{small|0:22}}
|Aug 9, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|style="text-align:left;"|John Edwards
|KO
|1 (4), {{small|1:19}}
|Jul 19, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.}}
|
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Harry Bilazarian
|{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}}
|1 (4)
|Jul 12, 1948
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Rhode Island Auditorium|Auditorium]], [[Providence, Rhode Island]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|style="text-align:left;"|Lee Epperson
|{{abbr|KO|Knockout}}
|3 (4), {{small|0:42}}
|Mar 17, 1947
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|[[Valley Arena Gardens]], [[Holyoke, Massachusetts]], U.S.}}
|
|}

==Titles in boxing==
===Major world titles===
* [[New York State Athletic Commission|NYSAC]] [[heavyweight]] champion (200+&nbsp;lbs)
* [[list of WBA world champions#Heavyweight|NBA (WBA) heavyweight champion]] (200+&nbsp;lbs)

===''The Ring'' magazine titles===
* [[list of The Ring world champions#Heavyweight|''The Ring'' heavyweight champion]] (200+&nbsp;lbs)

===Undisputed titles===
* [[list of undisputed world boxing champions#Heavyweight|Undisputed heavyweight champion]]

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|United States}}
*[[List of heavyweight boxing champions]]
*[[List of undisputed boxing champions]]
*[[List of The Ring world champions|List of ''The Ring'' world champions]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|1|group=nb}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==

*{{cite book
|last = Stanton
|first = Mike
|title = Unbeaten: Rocky Marciano's Fight for Perfection in a Crooked World
|publisher = Henry Holt & Co
|year = 2018
|isbn = 978-1627799195
}}
*{{cite book
|last = Jarrett
|first = John
|title = Rocky Marciano: The Brockton Blockbuster
|publisher = Pitch Pub
|year = 2018
|isbn = 978-1785313813
}}
*{{cite book
|last = Orlando
|first = Giuliano
|title = Rocky Marciano"The King" 
|publisher = Libreria dello Sport
|year = 2014
|isbn = 978-8861270510
}}
*{{cite book
|last = Vespignani & Barbi
|first = Giorgio & Moreno
|title = Riflessioni sul pugilato
|publisher = Booksprint
|year = 2012
|isbn = 9788867426263
}}
*{{cite book
|last = United States Congress
|title = UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONGRESSIONAL RECORD VOLUME 154
|publisher = U.S. Government Publishing Office
|year = 2008
|isbn = 9780160891816 
}}
*{{cite book
|last = Sullivan
|first = Russell
|title = Rocky Marciano: The Rock of His Times 
|publisher = University of Illinois Press
|year = 2002
|isbn = 0252072626
}}
*{{cite book
|last = Skehan
|first = Everett M.
|title = Rocky Marciano: Biography of a First Son
|publisher = Houghton Mifflin
|year = 1977
|location = Boston, Massachusetts
|isbn = 0-395-25356-X
|url-access = registration
|url = https://archive.org/details/rockymarcianobio00skeh
}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website|https://www.rockymarciano.net/}}
*{{Boxrec|id=009032}}
* [https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/NYSAC_World_Heavyweight_Title_Fights Boxrec.com NYSAC World Heavyweight Title Fights]
* [https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/NBA_World_Heavyweight_Title_Fights Boxrec.com NBA World Heavyweight Title Fights]
*[http://www.ibhof.com/pages/about/inductees/modern/marciano.html Boxing Hall of Fame]
*{{IMDb title|id=0183718}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=World boxing titles}}
{{s-bef|rows=4|before=[[Jersey Joe Walcott]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=NYSAC heavyweight champion
|years=September 23, 1952 – April 27, 1956<br>Retired}}
{{s-vac|rows=4|next=[[Floyd Patterson]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of WBA world champions#Heavyweight|NBA heavyweight champion]]
|years=September 23, 1952 – April 27, 1956<br>Retired}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of The Ring world champions#Heavyweight|''The Ring'' heavyweight champion]]
|years=September 23, 1952 – April 27, 1956<br>Retired}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of undisputed world boxing champions|Undisputed heavyweight champion]]
|years=September 23, 1952 – April 27, 1956<br />Retired}}
{{s-ach|rec}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Max Baer (boxer)|Max Baer]]<br>Age 50}}
{{s-ttl|title=Youngest world heavyweight champion<br>to have died<br>Age 45
|years=August 31, 1969 – December 30, 1970}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Sonny Liston]]<br>{{circa}} age 38 to 40}}
{{s-end}}

{{Ring magazine Fighter of the Year}}
{{Sugar Ray Robinson Award}}
{{Hickok Belt}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Marciano, Rocky}}
[[Category:Rocky Marciano| ]]
[[Category:1923 births]]
[[Category:1969 deaths]]
[[Category:Accidental deaths in Iowa]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:American male boxers]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Boxers from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Catholics from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Rocky (franchise)]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Brockton, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:The Ring (magazine) champions]]
[[Category:Undefeated world boxing champions]]
[[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1969]]
[[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in the United States]]
[[Category:World heavyweight boxing champions]]
[[Category:Brockton High School alumni]]
[[Category:People of Abruzzese descent]]