MARCIANO, ROCKY WIRE PHOTO (1950-PLAYING BASEBALL WITH HIS BROTHER)

Rocky Marciano (born Rocco Francis Marchegiano; September 1, 1923 – August 31, 1969) was an American professional boxer and the World Heavyweight Champion from September 23, 1952, to April 27, 1956. Marciano is the only champion to hold the heavyweight title and go untied and undefeated throughout his career. Marciano defended his title six times. On Oct. 27, 1951, the 27 year old, Marciano, took on the 37 year old, Joe Louis. Coming into the bout, Marciano was 6½ to 5 underdog.[8] Marciano would upset the favorite, Louis, in what would be the latter's last career bout, a result that left him with mixed emotions, as Louis had been his childhood idol. After four more wins, including victories over 35 year old, Lee Savold (96–37–3) and Harry Matthews (81–3–5), Marciano got his shot at the title. Marciano, 28, faced the World Heavyweight Champion, 38-year-old Jersey Joe Walcott in Philadelphia on September 23, 1952. Walcott dropped Marciano in the first round and steadily built a points lead; but in the thirteenth, Walcott used his trademark feint to set up his right hand, but Marciano's "Suzie Q" landed first. Marciano landed a glancing left hook as Walcott slumped 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. His first defense came a year later, a rematch against Walcott, 39, who this time was knocked out in the first round. Next, it was Roland La Starza's turn to challenge Marciano. After building a small lead on the judges' scorecards all the way to the middle rounds, Marciano won the rematch by a technical knockout in the eleventh round. Then came two consecutive bouts against former World Heavyweight Champion and light heavyweight legend, Ezzard Charles, 33, who became the only man to ever last fifteen rounds against Marciano. Marciano won the first fight on points and the second by an eighth-round knockout. Then, Marciano met British and European Champion, Don Cockell. Marciano knocked him out in the ninth round. Marciano's last title bout was against 38 year old, 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 recovered and retained his title by way of a knockout in round nine. Marciano announced his retirement on April 27, 1956. In 1969, on the eve of his 46th birthday, Marciano was a passenger in a small private plane, a Cessna 172 headed to Des Moines, Iowa. It was at night and bad weather had set in. The pilot, Glenn Belz, had only 231 total hours of flying time, only 35 of them at night, and was not certified to fly in instrument meteorological conditions. Belz tried to set the plane down at a small airfield outside Newton, Iowa, but hit a tree two miles short of the runway. Rocky, Belz and 22-year-old Frankie Farrell (son of Italian mobster Louis Fratto) were killed on impact. Offered here is an original wire photo, taken in 1950, depicting Rocky Marciano playing baseball with his brother Peter catching.
This is an original ACME wire photo with their stamp and caption on the back. Bold, clear image. Clean front and back. Tiny corner creases. Minor edge wear. 7 1/4" x 7 3/4."