Which heavyweight boxer retired unbeaten, untied with the most number of professional wins?

Rocky Marciano was born Rocco Francis Marchegianon on September 1, 1923 in Brockton, Massachusetts.

He began his professional boxing career at age 24. He went on to win his first 16 fights, many by knockout. Then, in 1952, he knocked out Jersey Joe Walcott for the heavyweight championship of the world. He defended his title 6 times, 5 by knockout.

October 27, 1951, Marciano, at age 27, fought the 37 year old Joe Louis. Marciano had mixed emotions about the fight, Lewis was a hero to him but the purse was too much to turn down. Lewis also could not turn down the money as he has heavily indebted to the IRS.

He retired in 1956 with a record of 49-0 with 43 by knockout.

Early in his career, a ring announcer could not pronounce "Marchegianon", so after discussing it with his manager, Al Weill (who went on to train Angelo Dundee in the art of training), decided on Marciano.

Marciano died in a plane crash due to pilot error on August 31, 1969.

More Info: boxrec.com

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41 Comments

blkstang

My father boxed against Rocky when he was looking for sparring partners while training in Providence, R.I. Rocky was knocking out too many of his training opponents and the call went out for any man who wanted to make some good money and could box please come into the gym. The only condition was that in order to be paid, you had to last three full rounds. My father got paid. My father stated that other than fighting in the Pacific during WWII aboard a cargo ship against the kimakazis, this was the most difficult job he ever had!! My father never boxed again!

Michael Doherty

blkstang, great story. My dad was a golden gloves boxer. Marciano probably would have killed him so I’m glad they never fought or I wouldn’t be here.

GreedyJoel

Rocky was a true gentleman. It’s impossible to imagine him behaving like many athletes do today. He was very modest. I remember watching him on his TV fight show called “Main Event”. I believe that he had the shortest reach of any heavyweight champion.

Noelito

He's would've been 28, at the time of the Brown Bomber bout, if those given dates are correct.

dlh

Only fighter I have any knowledge of. Lucky Rocky was the answer!

birthdayboy

Another boxer who was sometimes confused with Maciano, is Rocky Graziano who was also good in the ring.

Don Racette

Diane Lynn Kinsman Didn't.

Irene Townsend

The only name I recognied was Floyd Patterson and even then he could have been a wrestler for all I knew.

Diane Lynn Kinsman

Got it.

Cheryl McMeekin

Had no idea.

joan musicmasters

Only one I'd ever heard of was Joe Louis. Got it wrong.

billseely

As good as was, I personally believe that he would have even beat Ali and I have seen both of them box.

Joanne Serin

I hate boxing!

Boni Forte

Got it

Boyd Tracy

Can remember my dad listening to boxing on a big upright console radio before we ever got a TV. I really wasn't that into the boxing bit but when the fights were on(mostly Friday nights I recall) I was allowed to stay up to listen with my dad and his pals. I liked the popcorn and pop that went with the experience. Marciano and of course Joe Louis are names I remembered from those bygone days.