orig. Rocco Francis Marchegiano
born Sept. 1, 1923, Brockton, Mass., U.S.
died Aug. 31, 1969, near Newton, Ia.
U.S. boxer and world heavyweight champion.
Marciano began boxing in the army in World War II. An unscientific but hard-punching and exceptionally durable fighter, he won the championship title in 1952 by defeating Jersey Joe Walcott and relinquished it upon retiring in 1956. He was undefeated in 49 professional fights, scoring 43 knockouts.