On April 27, 1956, the iconic boxer Rocky Marciano announced his retirement from professional boxing at the age of 31. Marciano, known as "The Brockton Blockbuster," held the world heavyweight title from 1952 to 1956 and retired with an undefeated record of 49-0, making him the only heavyweight champion to have retired undefeated.
Throughout his career, Marciano was known for his relentless fighting style, impressive stamina, and powerful punches. He had a relatively short reach for a heavyweight boxer but compensated for it with his aggressiveness and ability to take a punch. Some of his most notable fights include his wins over Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles, and Archie Moore.
Marciano's retirement came as a surprise to many, as he was still at the top of his game. He had defended his title six times and had won his last fight against Moore by knockout. However, Marciano had always maintained that he would retire before the age of 32, and he stuck to his word.
After retiring from boxing, Marciano remained a popular figure and made numerous television appearances. Tragically, he died in a plane crash on August 31, 1969, the day before his 46th birthday. His legacy as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time remains intact, and his undefeated record is still a benchmark for aspiring boxers to this day.
