Rocky Marciano became world heavyweight boxing champion in 1952 by defeating Jersey Joe Walcott.
He remained undefeated in 49 fights with 43 knockouts including victories over Joe Louis and Ezzard Charles.
Marciano initially interested in baseball turned to boxing during World War II.
His first professional fight was in 1947 leading to his championship win with a knockout punch.
Retiring at the age of 32 after six title defenses, he was known for his powerful unrefined style.
Tragically he died in a plane crash in 1969.
Best Rocky Marciano Quotes
I don’t want to be remembered as a beaten champion. ~ Rocky Marciano.
I believe, in my prime, I could have fought with anybody alive. ~ Rocky Marciano.
Why waltz with a guy for 10 rounds if you can knock him out in one? ~ Rocky Marciano.
In the ring, I never really knew fear. ~ Rocky Marciano.
To win takes a complete commitment of mind and body. When you can’t make that commitment, they don’t call you a champion anymore. ~ Rocky Marciano.
Famous Rocky Marciano Quotes
Liston is like most big bullies, if you can stay away and make him miss for a few rounds he’ll get frustrated. Once you strip away that feeling of invincibility, he can be had. ~ Rocky Marciano.
Roland La Starza was tough, but Ezzard Charles was the toughest man I ever fought. I learned what pain was all about when I fought him. ~ Rocky Marciano.
There is no doubt that man is a competitive animal and there is no place where this fact is more obvious than in the ring. There is no second place. Either you win or you lose. When they call you a champion, it’s because you don’t lose. To win takes a complete commitment of mind and body. ~ Rocky Marciano.
I’d be conceited if I said I could, but I’d be lying if I said I couldn’t. ~ Rocky Marciano.
I have always adhered to two principles. The first one is to train hard and get in the best possible physical condition. The second is to forget all about the other fellow until you face him in the ring and the bell sounds for the fight. ~ Rocky Marciano.
Rocky is a poor Italian boy from a poor Italian family, and he appreciates the buck more than almost anybody. He’s only got two halfway decent purses so far, and it was like a tiger tasting blood. ~ Rocky Marciano.
Quotes about Rocky Marciano
Rocky Marciano had such guts and heart. He was something special. ~ Robert Goulet.
And of course coming from Massachusetts, Rocky Marciano was my favorite. ~ Robert Goulet.
I was on my face. I heard the count from one to 10. I kept telling myself that I had to get up, but I couldn’t move. I couldn’t make myself move. It was the strangest feeling. ~ Rex Layne.
Joe Louis was a good Heavyweight, good boxer but he was kind of in the same boat as Marciano, weighing about 190 to 200 lbs. ~ Larry Holmes.
A perfect record does not mean that someone is the greatest. Rocky Marciano never lost a fight, but I never hear anyone say he’s the greatest heavyweight champion of all time. ~ Steve Sabol.
All the champions – you go and ask Mike Tyson or Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Lennox Lewis and myself included, and I’m sorry for putting myself in line with all the other great names – but the champion’s attitude is it doesn’t matter who is in front of me, I am going to conquer this person and win the fight and knock the person out. ~ Wladimir Klitschko.
It’s been like that forever. We got spoiled by Joe Louis, by Rocky Marciano. Muhammad ruined us for everybody. He was great outside [the ring]; he was great inside. We got so accustomed to it we thought we deserved it. ~ Angelo Dundee.
I got a guy who’s short, stoop shouldered and balding with two left feet. They all look better than he does as far as the moves are concerned, but they don’t look so good on the canvas. God, how he can punch. ~ Charlie Goldman.
Rocky is a poor Italian boy from a poor Italian family, and he appreciates the buck more than almost anybody. He’s only got two halfway decent purses so far, and it was like a tiger tasting blood. ~ Al Weill.
So these were the 25 famous quotes about Rocky Marciano.
If you like these quotes and sayings, then you can also read my other posts on Joey Jordison quotes and Sam Snead quotes.