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.jpg) Marciano in 1952 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
Nicknames |
|
| Born | Rocco Francis Marchegiano (1923-09-01)September 1, 1923 Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | August 31, 1969(1969-08-31) (aged 45) Newton, Iowa, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[2][nb 1] |
| Weight | Heavyweight |
| Boxing career | |
| Reach | 67 in (170 cm)[1] |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 49 |
| Wins | 49 |
| Win by KO | 43 |
Rocco Francis Marchegiano (September 1, 1923 – August 31, 1969;Italian pronunciation:[markeˈdʒaːno]), better known asRocky Marciano (/mɑːrsiˈɑːnoʊ/,Italian:[marˈtʃaːno]), was an Americanprofessional boxer who competed from 1947 to 1955. He held the worldheavyweight championship from 1952 to 1956, and remains the only heavyweight champion tofinish his career undefeated.[4] His six title defenses were againstJersey Joe Walcott (from whom he had taken the title),Roland La Starza,Ezzard Charles (twice),Don Cockell andArchie Moore.
Known for hisrelentless fighting style, formidable punching power, stamina, and exceptionally durablechin, Marciano is considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.[5] Marciano remains the only fighter to havestopped every opponent he ever faced for the world heavyweight title, and holds the highestknockout-to-win percentage in world heavyweight title fights at 85.71%.[6] His career knockout-to-win percentage of 87.8% remains one of the highest in heavyweight boxing history. Marciano is ranked #14 inThe Ring magazine's list of the 100 greatest punchers of all time.[7]
Born Rocco Francis Marchegiano on September 1, 1923, Rocky was raised on the south side ofBrockton, Massachusetts.[8][9] His parents, Pierino Marchegiano and Pasqualina Picciuto, were both immigrants from Italy.[8] His father was fromRipa Teatina,Abruzzo, while his mother was fromSan 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 contractedpneumonia, from which he almost died.
In his youth, he worked out on homemadeweightlifting equipment (later in his life, Marciano was also a client ofCharles Atlas)[10] and used a stuffed mailbag that hung from a tree in his back yard as aheavy bag. He attendedBrockton 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.[11] He was a resident ofHanson, Massachusetts; the house he lived in still stands on Main Street.
During theSecond World War, Marciano enlisted in theUS Army in March 1943 and was assigned to the150th Combat Engineers, serving for three years.[12] Stationed inSwansea,Wales, he helped ferry supplies across theEnglish Channel toNormandy. In August 1945, his battalion received aPresidential Unit Citation for outstanding performance of duty against the enemy from February 7–13, 1945, on theSauer andOur Rivers inLuxembourg andGermany.[13] After the war ended, he completed his service in March 1946 atFort Lewis, Washington, where he received an honorable discharge from the Army with the rank ofPrivate First Class.[14][12]
Marciano's amateur record was 8–4.[15] 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 theValley Arena Gardens ofHolyoke, Massachusetts, being billed as "Rocky Mackianno of Westover Field".[16][17] That night, he knocked out local fighter Lee Epperson in three rounds. In an unusual move, Marciano returned to the amateur ranks winning the Golden Gloves Tournament inLowell and theNew England Golden Gloves,[18][19] which earned him a spot in theGolden Gloves All-East Championship Tournament in March 1948. He was controversially beaten byColey Wallace.[20] He continued to fight as an amateur throughout the spring and competed in theAAU Olympic tryouts in theBoston 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.[21]
In late March 1947, Marciano and several friends traveled toFayetteville, North Carolina, to try out for theFayetteville Cubs, a farm team for theChicago Cubs baseball team.[22] 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 andChick Wergeles served as his managers andCharley Goldman as his trainer and teacher.
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 lastthe distance (full 10 rounds scheduled) with "The Rock", but Marciano won by unanimous decision.
Early in his career, he changed the spelling of his last name, "Marchegiano". The ring announcer inProvidence, 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".[24]
Marciano won three more fights by knockout, and then he metTed 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 experiencedheavyweight fromBuffalo, New York, being the first "name fighter" Marciano faced.
Three weeks after the Phil Muscato fight, Marciano defeatedCarmine 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.[25] Vingo was unconscious and taken to the hospital on astretcher because there were no ambulances available. As Vingo was given 50/50 survival odds, a priest administeredlast rites; however, Vingo pulled through and survived, befriending Marciano later on in life.
On March 24, 1950, Marciano met his first ranked opponent when he foughtRoland 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.
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 overRed Applegate (11–14–2) in late April 1951, he was showcased on national television for the first time, knocking outRex Layne (34–1–2) in six rounds on July 12, 1951.
On October 27, 1951, the 28-year-old Marciano took on the greatJoe Louis. Despite Louis being well past his prime, Marciano was a 6½-to-5 underdog.[26] 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 championLee Savold (96–37–3) and top contenderHarry Matthews (81–3–5), Marciano received a shot at the world title later that year.
Marciano, 29,faced the World Heavyweight Champion,Jersey Joe Walcott, inPhiladelphia 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.
Hisfirst 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 arematch 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.
Marciano then foughttwo consecutive bouts against former world Heavyweight Champion andlight heavyweight legendEzzard Charles, who became the only man to ever last a full 15 rounds against Marciano.[27] Marciano won the first fight, held at Yankee Stadium on June 17, 1954, on points. RefereeRuby 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 ChampionDon Cockell, held atKezar Stadium inSan Francisco. Marciano controlled most of the fight, and Cockell was knocked down several times before the fight was stopped in the ninth round.
Marciano'sfinal title defense was against the number one contender andlight-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.[28] He finished his career an undefeated champion, with a final record of 49–0, 43 of them ending in knockouts.
Marciano was known for his punches, especially his right hand Susie Q punch,[29][30] and lead hook,[30][31] which both had knockout potential.[30][31] He would load up his shots bending his knees,[29] and by using exaggerated head movement and putting his entire body weight into every punch.[31] He also used a "gazelle punch" for his hook, springing up from a deep crouch to add power and cover distance.[31]
His footwork included a shuffle step.[31] He would move his back foot to his front foot to cover distance and generate more power.[31] He also used a full-on shift into a southpaw stance to chase opponents.[30][31] Marciano also used a backwards leaning advance keeping his head back and to the side off of centerline.[30][31] When setting up his overhand, Marciano would lean back while shuffling into an exchange, allowing him to advance while remaining defensively responsible.[30][31] If an opponent threw a punch, he could lean back to reduce the impact.[30][31] He would also usecrab style blocks including arear cross block and alead reverse elbow block.[31][30]
At close range, he would drive his head into his opponent's hips or shoulders immediately after a punch to stay safe or after weaving to unbalance his competitors.[31] He also used his head to manipulate his opponent's movement.[31] When in close, he would use his shorter frame to unleash a barrage of short, tight punches.[31]
With a relatively short reach of 68 inches and limited hand speed, Marciano was not known for relying on his jab. He used it sparingly, as it was not a key part of his strategy or a frequent setup for his powerful right hand. Instead, Marciano had other ways of landing his signature punches. One tactic he often used was timing his opponent's jab and responding with a right hook, aimed either at the body or the head. Upon developing his left hook, Marciano was able to use the punch to set up his right hand as well.[32]
His trademark approach was a relentless forward pressure crowding opponents, cutting off the ring, and forcing exchanges. Marciano was renowned for his granitechin, relentless stamina, and tireless work ethic, maintaining a punishing pace that often broke opponents down both physically and mentally.[33] Marciano was also known as an extremely resilient and determined boxer.[32]
Marciano's aggression was limited to the ring; once the fight was over, he was quick to show respect to his opponents being known as one of the nicest people in the sport of boxing. His style was built to entertain, characterized by relentless pressure, constant exchanges, and a refusal to back down as he kept pressing forward.[32]
Marciano was known for his intense training routine which included tons of cardio work. With Marciano running at least 5 miles per day, often uphill, and included running back downhill backwards.[23] His regular gym routine included the basics such as hundreds of hours of sparring, heavy‐bag and speed‐bag work, along with tons of push-ups and sit-ups, and many medicine-ball "thumps to the gut" for core conditioning.[23] It has also been reported that he would go to his localYMCA during fight camps, where he would shadowbox underwater for hours to build up his power.[34] During his camp Marciano would follow a strict diet that was set by his trainer Alie Colombo, he also refrained from night life and went to bed at 9:30pm every night.[23] Marciano's brother Peter later commented on his training stating "Rocky lived like a monk. He was always in incredible condition. He was devoted to training, and he could always throw more punches than he faced. He's never been given full credit for his conditioning."[23]
In 1957 Marciano released a book titledRocky Marcianos Book Of Boxing And Bodybuilding which he co wrote alongside his trainer Charley Goodman. The book focused on detailed exercises and boxing moves with drawings and photos of Marciano.[35]
Marciano considered a comeback in 1959 whenIngemar Johanssonwon the Heavyweight Championship fromFloyd 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.[36]
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After his retirement, Marciano entered the world of television and film, he made acting debut, playing a small role in the 1957 filmThe Delicate Delinquent.[37] 3 years later he appeared on the big screen once again as he played the deputy sheriff inCollege Confidentiall.[38] In 1961 he began hosting a weekly boxing show on TV titledMain Event and later appearing in theCombat! episode "Masquerade" in 1963. Due to his celebrity status Marciano also made numerous appearances on late night talk shows and games show such asThe Ed Sullivan Show[39]The Merv Griffin Show,[40]The Tonight Show Starting Johnny Carson[41] along with making other minor acting appearances. 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[42] 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.[43]Joey Marciano, aprofessional baseball player, is a cousin twice removed.[44]
In late July 1969, shortly before his death, Marciano participated in the filming ofThe 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.[45]
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.[46]
Marciano was a devout Catholic[47] and often attendedCatholic mass during training and before a fight.[48] He once stated "the biggest thrill I can think of would be an audience with the Pope".[49]
Marciano ended up befriending his former opponent that he sent to the hospital,Carmine Vingo. Marciano ended up paying for his medical expenses and Vingo even attended Marciano's wedding. Marciano later stated "Carmine is my friend. He forgave me. If he hadn't, I wouldn't have been able to carry on."[50] Marciano was also friends with many other prominent figures of his era includingFrank Sinatra andDean Martin.[51]
On August 31, 1969 (the day before his 46th birthday), Marciano was a passenger in a small private plane, aCessna 172[52] heading toDes Moines, Iowa, fromChicago 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 noinstrument rating. Belz tried to land the plane at a small airfield outsideNewton, 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 figureLew Farrell.[53] Marciano, Belz, and Farrell were killed on impact.[53][54][nb 2]
TheNational 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 experiencedspatial disorientation in the last moments of the flight."[55][56] 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 inChicago atSTP CEOAndy Granatelli's home.[57]
Marciano is interred in a crypt at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery inFort Lauderdale, Florida. His wife died five years later of lung cancer at age 46, and is entombed next to him.[58]
Marciano holds the record with heavyweightBrian Nielsen for the longest undefeated streak by a heavyweight.[59] He is also the only world heavyweight champion to goundefeated throughout his professional career. Although heavyweight championGene 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.[60] 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.[61]
These criticisms notwithstanding, over the decades Marciano has been ranked highly in several all-time boxing lists. In December 1962, aRing 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,[62] while John McCallum's survey of boxing historians and writers listed him as the ninth-best all-timer in the division.[63] In 1971,Nat Fleischer, a boxing historian and founder ofThe Ring, named Marciano as the 10th all-time greatestheavyweight champion.[64]
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.[65] In 2007, onESPN.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, andJack Dempsey.[66] TheBoston Globe ranked Marciano fifth in a list of Top 100 New England sports figures of the 20th century.[67] In 1999Sports Illustrated named him the greatest sports figure from Massachusetts.[68]
Marciano's punch was tested and it was featured in the December 1963 issue ofBoxing 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."[69][70]
Marciano was named fighter of the year byThe Ring three times. His three championship fights between 1952 and 1954 were named fights of the year by the magazine. Marciano won theBWAASugar 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 theHickok 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.[71] In 1955, he was voted the second most important American athlete of the year. Throughout his life Marciano remained a beloved hero among the Italian-American community. During the 1950s Marciano received the "Star of Solidarity" from an Italian ambassador. It was the first time the honor had been conferred on anyone outside the Italian government.[67][72] He is viewed as the first true Italian sports celebrity.[51]
Marciano has been inducted into multiple halls of fame, most notably theInternational Boxing Hall of Fame, World Boxing Hall of Fame andNational Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. His first-ever heavyweight belt is on display at the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, along with a bronze sculpture in his likeness. Marciano is one of only three people to have a sculpture at the Hall of Fame.[72]
Since 2005 an annual Rocky Marciano festival has been held inRipa Teatina where Marciano father was from.[73]
In 1980 there was a monument erected in Marciano's honor inSpringfield Massachusetts.[74]
A bronze statue of Marciano was planned for a 2009 completion date in his hometown ofBrockton, Massachusetts, as a gift to the city by theWorld Boxing Council. The artist, Mario Rendon, head of the Instituto Universitario de las Bellas Artes inColima, Mexico, was selected to sculpt the statue.[75] After years of delays in the planning stages,[76] the groundbreaking for the statue was held on April 1, 2012, on the grounds ofBrockton High School.[77] The statue was officially unveiled on September 23, 2012, which was the 60th anniversary of Marciano winning the world heavyweight title.[78] A bronze statue of Marciano was also erected inRipa Teatina, Italy,[79] to celebrate the birthplace of Marciano's father. Brockton High School's football stadium is also named in Marciano's honor.[80] The school's sports teams are nicknamed "the boxers" in honor of both Marciano andMarvin Hagler the two have also led the city to develop the nickname "The City of Champions".[81]
In 2019 the city ofNewton, Iowa unveiled an informational sign and ceremonial rock honoring Marciano. Iowa Gov.Kim Reynolds also produced a proclamation declaring Aug. 30, 2019, as Rocky Marciano Remembrance Day.[82]
In 2023, an event titled "Marciano At 100: A Celebration of Rocky Marciano's 100th Birthday" was held at theDes Plaines Theatre in Illinois. The event, hosted by the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, included a screening of the 1979 filmMarciano and featured Marciano's 1952 championship belt on display.[83] There were also other celebrations held in his home state of Massachusetts withSpringfield declaring September 1 "Rocky Marciano Day".[74]
In September 2025, Marciano's childhood home in Brockton was added to theNational Register of Historic Places. His brother, sister and additional family members were on hand for the dedication ceremony held on September 20, 2025.[84] The home now offers a tour featuring memorabilia from his career.[85]
Marciano has had two films made on his remarkable rise to the top of the boxing world. The first one titledMarciano came out in 1979 where he was portrayed byTony Lo Bianco.[86] In 1999, the film titledRocky Marciano came out where he is portrayed byJon Favreau.[87]
Marciano's fighting style and name inspired theRocky Balboa character from theRocky franchise.[88]
Marcinao appears as a playable character in the following video games.[89]
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1983 | Ringside Seat |
| 1993 | Greatest Heavyweights |
| 1998 | Knockout Kings |
| 2000 | Knockout Kings 2001 |
| 2000 | HBO Boxing |
| 2003 | Knockout Kings 2003 |
| 2004 | Fight Night 2004 |
| 2005 | Fight Night Round 2 |
| 2008 | Prizefighters |
| 2009 | Don King Boxing |
| 2011 | Fight Night Champion |
| 2023 | Undisputed |
| 49 fights | 49 wins | 0 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 43 | 0 |
| By decision | 6 | 0 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | Win | 49–0 | Archie Moore | KO | 9 (15),1:19 | Sep 21, 1955 | Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, andThe Ring heavyweight titles |
| 48 | Win | 48–0 | Don Cockell | TKO | 9 (15),0:54 | May 16, 1955 | Kezar Stadium,San Francisco, California, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, andThe Ring heavyweight titles |
| 47 | Win | 47–0 | Ezzard Charles | KO | 8 (15),2:36 | Sep 17, 1954 | Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, andThe Ring heavyweight titles |
| 46 | Win | 46–0 | Ezzard Charles | UD | 15 | Jun 17, 1954 | Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, andThe Ring heavyweight titles |
| 45 | Win | 45–0 | Roland La Starza | TKO | 11 (15) | Sep 24, 1953 | Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, andThe Ring heavyweight titles |
| 44 | Win | 44–0 | Jersey Joe Walcott | KO | 1 (15),2:25 | May 15, 1953 | Chicago Stadium,Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, andThe Ring heavyweight titles |
| 43 | Win | 43–0 | Jersey Joe Walcott | KO | 13 (15),0:43 | Sep 23, 1952 | Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | WonNYSAC,NBA, andThe Ring heavyweight titles |
| 42 | Win | 42–0 | Harry Matthews | KO | 2 (10),2:04 | Jul 28, 1952 | Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 41 | Win | 41–0 | Bernie Reynolds | KO | 3 (10),2:21 | May 12, 1952 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 40–0 | Gino Buonvino | KO | 2 (10),1:35 | Apr 21, 1952 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 39 | Win | 39–0 | Lee Savold | RTD | 6 (10),3:00 | Feb 13, 1952 | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 38 | Win | 38–0 | Joe Louis | TKO | 8 (10) | Oct 26, 1951 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 37 | Win | 37–0 | Freddie Beshore | KO | 4 (10),0:50 | Aug 27, 1951 | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 36–0 | Rex Layne | KO | 6 (10),0:35 | Jul 12, 1951 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 35 | Win | 35–0 | Willis Applegate | UD | 10 | Apr 30, 1951 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 34–0 | Art Henri | TKO | 9 (10),2:51 | Mar 26, 1951 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 33–0 | Harold Mitchell | TKO | 2 (10),2:45 | Mar 20, 1951 | Auditorium,Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 32 | Win | 32–0 | Keene Simmons | TKO | 8 (10),2:54 | Jan 29, 1951 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 31 | Win | 31–0 | Bill Wilson | TKO | 1 (10),1:50 | Dec 18, 1950 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 30–0 | Ted Lowry | UD | 10 | Nov 13, 1950 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 29–0 | Johnny Shkor | TKO | 6 (10),1:28 | Sep 18, 1950 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 28–0 | Gino Buonvino | TKO | 10 (10),0:25 | Jul 10, 1950 | Braves Field,Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 27–0 | Eldridge Eatman | TKO | 3 (10) | Jun 5, 1950 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 26–0 | Roland La Starza | SD | 10 | Mar 24, 1950 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 25–0 | Carmine Vingo | KO | 6 (10),1:46 | Dec 30, 1949 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 24–0 | Phil Muscato | TKO | 5 (10),1:15 | Dec 19, 1949 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | Pat Richards | TKO | 2 (8),0:39 | Dec 2, 1949 | Madison Square Garden,New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Joe Dominic | KO | 2 (10),2:26 | Nov 7, 1949 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Ted Lowry | UD | 10 | Oct 10, 1949 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Tommy DiGiorgio | KO | 4 (10),2:04 | Sep 26, 1949 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Pete Louthis | KO | 3 (10) | Aug 16, 1949 | New Page Arena,New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Harry Haft | KO | 3 (10),2:21 | Jul 18, 1949 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Don Mogard | UD | 10 | May 23, 1949 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Jimmy Evans | TKO | 3 (10) | May 2, 1949 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Jimmy Walls | KO | 3 (10),2:44 | Apr 11, 1949 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Artie Donato | KO | 1 (10),0:33 | Mar 28, 1949 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Johnny Pretzie | TKO | 5 (10),1:46 | Mar 21, 1949 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Gilley Ferron | TKO | 2 (6),2:21 | Dec 14, 1948 | Convention Hall,Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | James Patrick Connolly | TKO | 1 (8),1:57 | Nov 29, 1948 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Bob Jefferson | TKO | 2 (6),2:30 | Oct 4, 1948 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Gilbert Cardone | KO | 1 (4),0:36 | Sep 30, 1948 | Uline Arena,Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Bill Hardeman | KO | 1 (6) | Sep 20, 1948 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Humphrey Jackson | KO | 1 (6),1:08 | Sep 13, 1948 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Jimmy Weeks | TKO | 1 (6),2:50 | Aug 30, 1948 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Eddie Ross | KO | 1 (6),1:03 | Aug 23, 1948 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Bobby Quinn | KO | 3 (4),0:22 | Aug 9, 1948 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | John Edwards | KO | 1 (4),1:19 | Jul 19, 1948 | Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Harry Bilazarian | TKO | 1 (4) | Jul 12, 1948 | Auditorium,Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Lee Epperson | KO | 3 (4),0:42 | Mar 17, 1947 | Valley Arena Gardens,Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Year | Film | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | The Delicate Delinquent[37] | Himself | Uncredited |
| 1960 | College Confidential[38] | Deputy Sheriff | |
| 1970 | The Super Fight | Himself |
| Year | Show | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951–1955 | The Ed Sullivan Show | Himself (guest) | 4 episodes |
| 1952 | All Star Revue[94] | Himself - Guest Actor | 1 episode |
| 1953–1954 | The Colgate Comedy Hour[95] | Himself - Boxer | 2 episodes |
| 1954-–1956 | Person to Person | ||
| 1956 | The Red Skeleton Hour[96] | Himself (guest) | 1 episode |
| 1957 | Captain David Grief[97] | Mike Riley | 1 episode: Idols of Rapa-Nui |
| 1960 | You Bet Your Life[98] | Himself (guest) | 2 episodes |
| 1961 | Main Event | Himself Host | Weekly television show |
| 1963 | The Keefe Brasselle Show | Himself (guest) | 1 episode |
| Combat! | Soldier Who Greets Red Cross Truck | Uncredited | |
| 1963–1965 | The Tonight Show Starting Johnny Carson[41] | Himself (guest) | 2 episodes |
| 1964 | The Mike Douglas Show[99] | 1 episode | |
| 1965 | ABC's Nightlife[100] | ||
| 1967 | The Merv Griffin Show[40] | Himself (guest) | |
| 1968 | The Bob Hope Show[101] | ||
| 1969 | The Donald O'Connor Show |
{{cite book}}:|last= has generic name (help)
| Sporting positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World boxing titles | ||||
| Preceded by | NYSAC heavyweight champion September 23, 1952 – April 27, 1956 Retired | Vacant Title next held by Floyd Patterson | ||
| NBA heavyweight champion September 23, 1952 – April 27, 1956 Retired | ||||
| The Ring heavyweight champion September 23, 1952 – April 27, 1956 Retired | ||||
| Undisputed heavyweight champion September 23, 1952 – April 27, 1956 Retired | ||||
| Records | ||||
| Preceded by Max Baer Age 50 | Youngest world heavyweight champion to have died Age 45 August 31, 1969 – December 30, 1970 | Succeeded by | ||
