- ROCKY MARCIANO
Years active: 1947-55
Record: 49-0 (43 KOs)
Championship reign(s): 1952-56
Biggest victories: Roland LaStarza (twice), Joe Louis, Jersey Joe Walcott (twice), Ezzard Charles (twice), Archie Moore
Biggest losses: None
Background: Marciano big or the most skillful heavyweight champ of all time but his stamina, durability and punching power remain legendary. “The Brockton Blockbuster” was building a reputation as a destroyer when he ended the career of Joe Louis, which added to his allure as a rising star. Four knockouts later, in 1952, he received an offer to fight titleholder Jersey Joe Walcott. Marciano was losing on all three cards when he backed Walcott into the ropes and landed a right hand for the ages, one that instantly incapacitated Walcott and gave Marciano the heavyweight championship. He successfully defended his title six more times – including a rematch with Walcott and two victories over the great Ezzard Charles – and then called it quits at only 32 years old, never to return. His final record of 49-0 has and will always be a standard of excellence in the sport he dominated.