Rocky Marciano vs Jersey Joe Walcott I
On September 23rd 1952, heavyweight contender Rocky Marciano challenged Jersey Joe Walcott for the heavyweight title at a packed Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Walcott had won the title from Ezzard Charles the year before and was looking in peak form coming into this defense against the you up and comer Rocky Marciano. This historical fight is still considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight title fights in history, but how can something as brutal as boxing be used as a metaphor for life? If we first take this fight as our example, we will see. In the first round, to everyones surprise, Walcott went right at his younger hard punching foe with a ferocity previously not seen. Walcott was known as a cagey and intelligent boxer who could punch, so going after the younger Marciano took everyone by surprise. Even more surprising Walcott hurt and eventually floored Marciano in the very first round. It looked as if Rocky had bitten off more than he could chew as Marciano seemed overmatched and quite confused, rightfully so.
A lesser fighter would have been broken at that point in the first round, confused, seemingly over matched, and knocked down, many people would have given up at that point. However, Rocky rose from the canvas without hesitation. Even though the doubts about him and his chin undoubtedly ran through the minds of everyone watching. The same goes for life, we all get beaten up and often times knocked down. Sometimes it seems that everything is working against us, that we are out of our league and that getting knocked down is a sign that we should stay down and quit fighting. But we all have a Marciano in us, we just have to look for it. Its easy to stay down, let doubt beat us and tell us we cannot win. That is what makes boxing a great metaphor for life. Fighters like Rocky Marciano demonstrated this beautifully. Even when he was seemingly over matched, had been hurt and knocked down in the opening stanza, he never quit. Marciano got back up and did whatever he had to do to survive the onslaught of Walcott. He grabbed and held, threw a few punches here and there and tried to stay as close as he could, not allowing Walcott room to get off his punches.
A lesser fighter would have been broken at that point in the first round, confused, seemingly over matched, and knocked down, many people would have given up at that point. However, Rocky rose from the canvas without hesitation. Even though the doubts about him and his chin undoubtedly ran through the minds of everyone watching. The same goes for life, we all get beaten up and often times knocked down. Sometimes it seems that everything is working against us, that we are out of our league and that getting knocked down is a sign that we should stay down and quit fighting. But we all have a Marciano in us, we just have to look for it. Its easy to stay down, let doubt beat us and tell us we cannot win. That is what makes boxing a great metaphor for life. Fighters like Rocky Marciano demonstrated this beautifully. Even when he was seemingly over matched, had been hurt and knocked down in the opening stanza, he never quit. Marciano got back up and did whatever he had to do to survive the onslaught of Walcott. He grabbed and held, threw a few punches here and there and tried to stay as close as he could, not allowing Walcott room to get off his punches.
Marciano continued fighting and was down on all cards, everything seemed to be working against him and it looked as if Walcott would cruise to a decision win. What was not apparent at the time was Walcott was slowing down, no doubt as a result of Marciano who was quietly working the body of Walcott as Walcott piled up the points. What was clear and easy to see was Walcotts flashier punches and every once in a while him dodging a wild punch by Marciano, this is what allowed Walcott to build a lead on the cards. But what we did not account for was the work Marciano was doing to the body and the arms of Walcott. The work Marciano was doing wasn't pretty, it wasn't flashy, but it was effective. Rocky knew he could not stand on the outside and box with Walcott, so he did what he could to fight on this inside, grabbing with one arm, punching with the other and when Walcott tried to hold and get a breather, Marciano wouldn't let him. Marciano, despite losing on all scorecards, was persistent and continued forcing Walcott to fight, not allowing Walcott any room to breathe or rest. This is a great example of how we should be in life, persistent in the face of adversity. No matter what stands in our way, we cannot allow ourselves to quit, to throw in the towel and say I have had enough. This can be applied to many areas in life, especially that of the spiritual life.We must adapt and keep going, no matter how many times we get knocked down and no matter how many people believe in us, we all need to find that Marciano that is within all of us, get up and keep fighting. Even if we lose, there is no shame in losing if we never give up, there is shame in quitting.
Going into the 13th round Marciano really did not have much of a chance at winning a decision at this point, yet he kept coming. Marciano had faith that all the work and persistence would eventually pay off. All those punches he had landed to Walcott's ribs, chest, and arms was slowing the champion down enough to where Marciano could start to land more cleanly on Walcott as his offense was also slowing considerably. Walcott had gotten on his bicycle and wanted no part of the infighting as it was clearly taking its toll, but now choosing to fight at distance presented him some problems. Walcott was tired and was only throwing a few punches which had lost their zip. So much so that Marciano was having little trouble bobbing and weaving away from them. The stage was set, Marciano needed a knockout to win, yet despite Walcott being tired he was a veteran and doing a great job keeping distance between him and his younger, more fresh foe.
By this time Marciano was bloody and swollen, Walcott was tired but not done. Walcott had little choice but to exchange when Marciano came in, throwing as hard as he could to try and stop the relentless Marciano, and he did land some very good shots, however, Marciano kept coming. He kept stalking the champion out of his trade mark crouch, like a lion inching closer to his prey waiting for the perfect moment to spring from that crouch and attack. Marciano patiently krept closer and closer, feinting ever so slightly, waiting, ready to pounce as he backed the champion slowly towards the ropes. Just as soon as Walcott's back touched the ropes he fired right at Marciano, who at the same time, landed the most brutal and famous right hand in boxing history. Striking Walcott so hard it seemed that his head spun for a short second before immediately collapsing face first to the canvas, the only thing saving him from hitting the canvas hard was his left arm, which had clung to the ropes as if he were unconsciencely clinging to it for life.
This became, and still is, one of the greatest fights in boxing history. Had Marciano given in because he was over matched, his name would not be synonymous with courage and persistence. Boxing fans would have been left without this great and historic fight that people still talk about. And even though Walcott lost this fight, and the rematch, he also never gave up. He took serious punishment from a legendary puncher and if he were not disconnected from his senses, would certainly have gotten off the canvas to give a valiant effort at retaining his crown.
I can remember watching this fight as a young boy and being mezmerized by this courageous fighter. I could not understand why anyone would take this kind of punishment and continue to fight. That was my thinking as a young weak kid who was constantly bullied and utterly terrified to leave the house. I didn't know how to stand up for myself, I didn't know how to fight, I was constantly scared. I can remember recording that fight and playing it over and over, trying to understand what would drive someone to do that. The more I watched, the more confident I became, the fear I faced on a daily basis seemed to flee from me as I discovered that I had a little Marciano in me. From that point on, I no longer showed fear towards my foes. Often times I would take beatings from multiple people, and every time I was knocked down I got right back up. These people were used to me crying or even trying to escape in any way possible, this new found confidence baffled them. I stood up and pounded my chest, I didn't move, as I am sure they were expecting me to run. I wanted them to know that I was not scared, I didn't care if I could beat them up or not, that didn't matter to me, I wanted them to know that I could not be bullied anymore.
This mentality has worked well for me in life, there are many things that I fear, but instead of running from fear, I face it head on. I will not allow fear to cripple me, nor should anyone else, no matter what it takes we must endure and overcome. If it takes 13 rounds of hell to do it, then bring it on.
By this time Marciano was bloody and swollen, Walcott was tired but not done. Walcott had little choice but to exchange when Marciano came in, throwing as hard as he could to try and stop the relentless Marciano, and he did land some very good shots, however, Marciano kept coming. He kept stalking the champion out of his trade mark crouch, like a lion inching closer to his prey waiting for the perfect moment to spring from that crouch and attack. Marciano patiently krept closer and closer, feinting ever so slightly, waiting, ready to pounce as he backed the champion slowly towards the ropes. Just as soon as Walcott's back touched the ropes he fired right at Marciano, who at the same time, landed the most brutal and famous right hand in boxing history. Striking Walcott so hard it seemed that his head spun for a short second before immediately collapsing face first to the canvas, the only thing saving him from hitting the canvas hard was his left arm, which had clung to the ropes as if he were unconsciencely clinging to it for life.
This became, and still is, one of the greatest fights in boxing history. Had Marciano given in because he was over matched, his name would not be synonymous with courage and persistence. Boxing fans would have been left without this great and historic fight that people still talk about. And even though Walcott lost this fight, and the rematch, he also never gave up. He took serious punishment from a legendary puncher and if he were not disconnected from his senses, would certainly have gotten off the canvas to give a valiant effort at retaining his crown.
I can remember watching this fight as a young boy and being mezmerized by this courageous fighter. I could not understand why anyone would take this kind of punishment and continue to fight. That was my thinking as a young weak kid who was constantly bullied and utterly terrified to leave the house. I didn't know how to stand up for myself, I didn't know how to fight, I was constantly scared. I can remember recording that fight and playing it over and over, trying to understand what would drive someone to do that. The more I watched, the more confident I became, the fear I faced on a daily basis seemed to flee from me as I discovered that I had a little Marciano in me. From that point on, I no longer showed fear towards my foes. Often times I would take beatings from multiple people, and every time I was knocked down I got right back up. These people were used to me crying or even trying to escape in any way possible, this new found confidence baffled them. I stood up and pounded my chest, I didn't move, as I am sure they were expecting me to run. I wanted them to know that I was not scared, I didn't care if I could beat them up or not, that didn't matter to me, I wanted them to know that I could not be bullied anymore.
This mentality has worked well for me in life, there are many things that I fear, but instead of running from fear, I face it head on. I will not allow fear to cripple me, nor should anyone else, no matter what it takes we must endure and overcome. If it takes 13 rounds of hell to do it, then bring it on.
Honorable Mentions
Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo (10th Rd.)
To put this fight into a bit of perspective, Corrales and Castillo stood toe to toe for 9 rounds prior. Corrales is considered one of the hardest punchers and Castillo was a tough Mexican who had never been down or stopped prior to this fight.
Arturo Gatti vs Micky Ward I
To be quite honest pretty much all of Gatti's career is just one long highlight reel. Micky Ward was no bum when it came to all out slugfests either. I don't even need to preface this, just watch it.
James Kirkland vs Alfredo Angulo
This is a more recent classic that actually had me on my feet screaming, which woke everyone up, thats how good this was. Not many people expected Kirkland to last very long simply because he was blown out by light punching Nobuhiro Ishida. But that has to be put in context. Kirkland ran into legal troubles and had separated from his longtime trainer Ann Wolfe and had not looked very good without her. So going into this fight I am not sure anyone expected Kirkland would last against Angulo, a hard punching pressure fighter with a good chin, it was basic logic, right?
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