Though Retiring Unbeaten, Marciano’s Comebacks

In June 1954, unbeaten heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano defended his title against former champion Ezzard Charles at Yankee Stadium in New York.

The first round was rocky for Rocky. Charles was a very good in-fighter. There were sharp chopping rights from Charles, who opened a cut on Marciano’s eye. By the fourth round, Marciano was wiping away the blood from his eye. Marciano’s body was taking a beating, but he hung in there fighting back. Marciano’s granite jaw took everything Charles dished out against a man with twice the amount of experience.

Marciano’s left eye cut continued to bleed. Charles would push back Marciano when in clinches. Marciano landed an uppercut, rocking Charles. The mouth of Charles was spitting blood from a left hook from Marciano. Charles was starting to tire as Marciano was solid as a rock.

A combination from Marciano on the chin rocked Charles who continued pushing Marciano away in a clinch. Charles’ cheekbones had puffed up.

It was the final round with Marciano turning the tide since the tenth round. Charles, still trying not to get knocked out, was holding on when in close. Marciano continued the attack, trying for a knockout. Knowing Charles won the first half of the fight, it may have come down to the final round. For the first time in fifteen rounds, Charles back touched the ropes, showing how exhausted he was. Then came the decision. 8-6-1 Marciano. 8-5-2 Even. Marciano 9-5-1 Marciano is still the champion of the world.

In September, they rematched again at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Marciano had Charles down in the second round. In the seventh round, Marciano’s nose was badly cut. The ring physician told him he had only one round left, or he would stop the fight. In the next round, Marciano again dropped Charles, ending the fight.

Looking back at other comebacks, he fought with ‘Jersey’ Joe Walcott for his title. Walcott was up in rounds 4-7, 4-8, 5-7 after 12 rounds. In the thirteenth round, Marciano landed a right to the chin, completely changing the face of Walcott’s out of shape, and out he went for the count.

In September 1950, Marciano won a split decision over Roland LaStarza at Madison Square Garden by scores of 5-5, 4-5, and 5-4. By New York’s scoring system, the referee (not a judge) had Marciano winning 9-6, gaining the decision. LaStarza was down in the fourth round, and Marciano lost a point in the eighth round due to a low blow.

In September 1953, some three years later, when Marciano was champion, they had a rematch. Marciano was ahead by scores of 5-1 and 6-1 twice, knocking LaStarza out in the eighth round.