Rocky Marciano: Boxing Career Record

Rocky Marciano

shalbs / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

by Andrew Eisele
Andrew Eisele is a boxing writer who has covered the sport for Time, Inc. He also hosts TV and radio sports talk shows.
Updated February 11, 2019

Rocky Marciano—born Rocco Francis Marchegiano—is one of the greatest fighters of all time. He never lost a bout, and posted a career record of 49 wins, including 43 knockouts. He was known for his "relentless fighting style," "iron chin", and stamina. His nearly 90 percent win-to-knockout ratio remains one of the highest ever, and he successfully defended his heavyweight title six times. Below is a listing of his perfect career record.

Racking Up Knockouts

Marciano scored knockouts in 23 of his first 25 professional fights during a three-year period.

1947

  • March 17 - Lee Epperson, Holyoke, Massachusetts - KO 3

1948

  • July 12 - Harry Balzerian, Providence, Rhode Island - KO 1
  • July 19 - John Edwards, Providence - KO 1
  • Aug. 9 - Bobby Quinn, Providence - KO 3
  • Aug. 23 - Eddie Ross, Providence - KO 1
  • Aug. 30 - Jimmy Weeks, Providence - KO 1
  • Sept. 13 - Jerry Jackson, Providence - KO 1
  • Sept. 20 - Bill Hardeman, Providence - KO 1
  • Sept. 30 - Gil Cardione, Washington, D.C. - KO 1
  • Oct. 4 - Bob Jefferson, Providence - KO 2
  • Nov. 29 - Patrick Connolly, Providence - KO 1
  • Dec. 14 - Gilley Ferron, Philadelphia - KO 2

1949

  • March 21 - Johnny Pretzie, Providence - KO 5
  • March 28 - Artie Donator, Providence - KO 1
  • Apr 11 - James Walls, Providence - KO 3
  • May 2 - Jimmy Evans, Providence - KO 3
  • May 23 - Don Mogard, Providence - W 10
  • July 18 - Harry Haft, Providence - KO 3
  • Aug. 16 - Pete Louthis, New Bedford, Massachusetts - KO 3
  • Sept. 26 - Tommy Giorgio, Providence - KO 4
  • Oct. 10 - Ted Lowry, Providence - W 10
  • Nov. 7 - Joe Domonic, Providence - KO 2
  • Dec. 2 - Pat Richards, New York - KO 2
  • Dec. 19 - Phil Muscato, Providence - KO 5
  • Dec. 30 - Carmine Vingo, New York - KO 6

Wins Title

Marciano won the world heavyweight title in 1952 and defended it several times until his retirement in 1956.

1950

  • March 24 - Roland LaStarza, New York - W 10
  • June 5 - Eldridge Eatman, New York - KO 3
  • July 10 - Gino Buonvino, Boston - KO 10
  • Sept. 18 - Johnny Shkor, Providence - KO 6
  • Nov. 13 - Ted Lowry, Providence - W 10
  • Dec. 18 - Bill Wilson, Providence - KO 1

1951

  • Jan. 29 - Keene Simmons, Providence - KO 8
  • March 20 - Harold Mitchell, Hartford, Connecticut - KO 2
  • March 26 - Art Henri, Providence - KO 9
  • April 30 - Red Applegate, Providence - W 10
  • July 12 - Rex Layne, New York - KO 6
  • Aug. 27 - Freddie Beshore, Boston - KO 4
  • Oct. 26 - Joe Louis, New York - KO 8

1952

Marciano took the title in a September bout against Jersey Joe Walcott.

  • Feb. 13 - Lee Savold, Philadelphia - KO 6
  • April 21 - Gino Buonvino, Providence - KO 2
  • May 12 - Bernie Reynolds, Providence - KO 3
  • July 28 - Harry Matthews, New York - KO 2
  • Sept. 23 - Jersey Joe Walcott, Philadelphia - KO 13

Title Defenses

Marciano defended the title twice in 1953 and twice each year for the next two years. He knocked out his challengers in every bout.

1953

  • May 15 - Jersey Joe Walcott, Chicago - KO 1
  • Sept. 24 - Roland LaStarza, New York - KO 11

1954

  • June 19 - Ezzard Charles, New York - W 15
  • Sept. 17 - Ezzard Charles, New York - KO 8

1955

  • May 16 - Don Cockell, San Francisco - KO 9
  • Sept. 21 - Archie Moore, New York - KO 9

1956

Marciano announced his retirement in April with a perfect 49-0 record.