• Rocky Marciano was the only undefeated heavyweight boxing champion of the 20th century. Marciano held his title from 1952 to 1956. He retired with an 88 percent knockout record and died in an airplane crash in 1969.

    1. Birth name: Rocco Francis Marchegiano
    2. Alias: The Brockton Blockbuster
    3. Birth Date: September 1, 1923
    4. Birth Place: Brockton, Massachusetts
    5. Died: August 31, 1969 (age 45)
    6. Height: 5 feet 10 inches
    7. Heavyweight champion of the world from 1952 to 1956

  • Boxing record

    • Total fights: 49
    • Wins: 49
    • Wins by knockout: 43
    • Losses: 0
    • Draws: 0
    • No contests: 0

  • Death

    Rocky Marciano died in a plane crash on the eve of his 46th birthday in 1969. Marciano was a passenger on a private Cessna 172 on its way to Des Moines, Iowa. Bad weather set in and the pilot was not certified to fly in these conditions. The pilot tried to land the aircraft in a small airfield and hit a tree two miles short of the runway. Marciano, the pilot, and alleged mob boss Louis Fratto's son were killed on impact.

    Rocky Marciano is buried in a crypt at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

  • In Popular Culture

    Marciano's life was the subject of several made-for-TV movies, including 1979's Marciano and 1999's Rocky Marciano. In the 1976 classic Rocky, Mickey tells Rocky that his style is reminiscent of Marciano. In Rocky V, Mickey gives Rocky a necklace given to him by Marciano.