Marciano sources of deliberately targeting the arms

[them_apples]

first of all, this is for Bronson but it's not to start a flame war. I should probably get used to sourcing things anyways - so I have no problem with him calling me out:


Rocky Marcianos Targeted Arm Assault Strategy (I took out quote marks as they artifact)

1. Insights from Biographers

• Rocky Marciano: Biography of a First Son (Everett Skehan, 1977):
  Skehan, who conducted extensive interviews with Marcianos team, noted that trainer Charley Goldman taught Marciano to throw looping punches to the opponents biceps, softening up the guard for the kill.
• The Rock of His Times (Russell Sullivan, 2002):
  Sullivan observed that Marcianos arm punches werent incidental they were a calculated erosion of defenses.

2. Film Study of Key Fights

• Jersey Joe Walcott (1952/1953):
  Footage shows Marciano repeatedly hammering Walcotts left arm, noticeably weakening his guard before the knockout.
• Ezzard Charles I (1954):
  Charles suffered such severe arm bruising that post-fight reports stated he could barely lift his arms.
• Archie Moore (1955):
  Early in the bout, Moores arms were heavily battered, compromising his signature cross-armed defense.

3. Testimonies from Opponents

• Ezzard Charles (The Ring, 1954):
  He didnt just head-hunt. He beat on my arms until they were dead.
• Jersey Joe Walcott (Sports Illustrated, 1969):
  Rockys punches came from all angles even at my arms. It was exhausting.

4. 1969 â Super Fight Simulation: Marciano vs. Ali

• Context:
  A television production that digitally merged footage of Marciano and Muhammad Ali into a scripted simulation, with multiple outcomes filmed.
• Depiction of Arm Targeting:
  In one version, Marciano breaks Alis arm with repeated blows. Though fictional, the scene mirrored Marciano’s well-documented tactics.
• Sources:
  CBS broadcast footage and production notes archived at the Paley Center for Media confirm the arm-targeting was intentionally included by director Murray Woroner due to its accuracy to Marcianos fighting style.
• Caveat:
  As a dramatized event, the simulation wasnt historical evidence, but it reflected expert boxing analysis.

5. Expert Opinions

• Bert Sugar, Boxing Illustrated:
  “Marciano was a butcher. Hed maul your arms until you couldnt hold them up then hed take your head off.
• Angelo Dundee, My View from the Corner (2008):
  Rockys entire game was attrition. Hed destroy your arms, your ribs¦ Ali wouldve had to move non-stop to avoid that punishment.

and


Bill Libby in Rocky The Story of a Champion 1971
Libby described Marciano's deliberate destruction of Roland LaStarza's arms in their 1953 title bout. He wrote that Marciano’s gloved fists broke blood vessels and bones in LaStarza’s arms and elbows. The arms grew heavy then ached then went numb. LaStarza struggled to lift them making defense impossible. With his guard fading Marciano began to attack the head

Marciano and Goldman in Rocky Marciano’s Book of Boxing and Bodybuilding 1957
Marciano emphasized the importance of strong arms for defense. He explained that the arms absorb impact or deflect punches and weak arms cannot endure the punishment long. A boxer whose arms are worn out can neither attack nor defend. This reveals Marciano’s understanding that targeting the arms would neutralize an opponent’s offense and protection

Mike Silver on Charley Goldman's Tactical Advice
Boxing historian Mike Silver noted that in the LaStarza rematch Goldman saw Marciano struggling to break the guard and instructed him to strike at the arms. After a few rounds LaStarza was unable to hold up his hands. Marciano had broken through his defense by bludgeoning the biceps and forearms. LaStarza later admitted that taking punches on the arms did not help and that his arms eventually went numb

Firsthand Testimonies from Opponents
Phil Muscato recalled that Marciano kept punching him in the upper arms until he could no longer raise them to throw punches or protect himself
Joe Louis remarked after their bout that Marciano hit so hard he could hurt someone by landing on the arm alone and when he hit the ribs or body it made you want to sit down
Ezzard Charles stated that Rocky numbed the body all over hurting every area including arms shoulders neck and head

​

[them_apples]

furthermore, I started using it in sparring - works really good against the high guard - and every kid these days uses the high guard. just punch it as hard as you can over and over like a heavy bag, they aren't used to it and get confused.

I remember Duran saying he would do this to Floyd and easily beat his shoulder roll by nailing him under the deltoid over and over. clip is on youtube of him saying this.

[them_apples]

"The two threw fake punches and put on a façade of boxing for a few dozen rounds, which were then used to illustrate what a potential match would have looked like. Ali, commenting on the experience years later, was shocked at the power Marciano still possessed at the age of 45: “He was hitting me with these fake punches, and my arms were hurting after a few rounds! I couldn’t even lift a salt shaker!”

Rocky Marciano and the Art of Effort // The Roundup

[Bronson66]

first of all, this is for Bronson but it's not to start a flame war. I should probably get used to sourcing things anyways - so I have no problem with him calling me out:


Rocky Marcianos Targeted Arm Assault Strategy (I took out quote marks as they artifact)

1. Insights from Biographers

• Rocky Marciano: Biography of a First Son (Everett Skehan, 1977):
  Skehan, who conducted extensive interviews with Marcianos team, noted that trainer Charley Goldman taught Marciano to throw looping punches to the opponents biceps, softening up the guard for the kill.
• The Rock of His Times (Russell Sullivan, 2002):
  Sullivan observed that Marcianos arm punches werent incidental they were a calculated erosion of defenses.

2. Film Study of Key Fights

• Jersey Joe Walcott (1952/1953):
  Footage shows Marciano repeatedly hammering Walcotts left arm, noticeably weakening his guard before the knockout.
• Ezzard Charles I (1954):
  Charles suffered such severe arm bruising that post-fight reports stated he could barely lift his arms.
• Archie Moore (1955):
  Early in the bout, Moores arms were heavily battered, compromising his signature cross-armed defense.

3. Testimonies from Opponents

• Ezzard Charles (The Ring, 1954):
  He didnt just head-hunt. He beat on my arms until they were dead.
• Jersey Joe Walcott (Sports Illustrated, 1969):
  Rockys punches came from all angles even at my arms. It was exhausting.

4. 1969 �¢ Super Fight Simulation: Marciano vs. Ali

• Context:
  A television production that digitally merged footage of Marciano and Muhammad Ali into a scripted simulation, with multiple outcomes filmed.
• Depiction of Arm Targeting:
  In one version, Marciano breaks Alis arm with repeated blows. Though fictional, the scene mirrored Marciano�¢����s well-documented tactics.
• Sources:
  CBS broadcast footage and production notes archived at the Paley Center for Media confirm the arm-targeting was intentionally included by director Murray Woroner due to its accuracy to Marcianos fighting style.
• Caveat:
  As a dramatized event, the simulation wasnt historical evidence, but it reflected expert boxing analysis.

5. Expert Opinions

• Bert Sugar, Boxing Illustrated:
  �¢����Marciano was a butcher. Hed maul your arms until you couldnt hold them up then hed take your head off.
• Angelo Dundee, My View from the Corner (2008):
  Rockys entire game was attrition. Hed destroy your arms, your ribs�¦ Ali wouldve had to move non-stop to avoid that punishment.

and


Bill Libby in Rocky The Story of a Champion 1971
Libby described Marciano's deliberate destruction of Roland LaStarza's arms in their 1953 title bout. He wrote that Marciano�s gloved fists broke blood vessels and bones in LaStarza�s arms and elbows. The arms grew heavy then ached then went numb. LaStarza struggled to lift them making defense impossible. With his guard fading Marciano began to attack the head

Marciano and Goldman in Rocky Marciano�s Book of Boxing and Bodybuilding 1957
Marciano emphasized the importance of strong arms for defense. He explained that the arms absorb impact or deflect punches and weak arms cannot endure the punishment long. A boxer whose arms are worn out can neither attack nor defend. This reveals Marciano�s understanding that targeting the arms would neutralize an opponent�s offense and protection

Mike Silver on Charley Goldman's Tactical Advice
Boxing historian Mike Silver noted that in the LaStarza rematch Goldman saw Marciano struggling to break the guard and instructed him to strike at the arms. After a few rounds LaStarza was unable to hold up his hands. Marciano had broken through his defense by bludgeoning the biceps and forearms. LaStarza later admitted that taking punches on the arms did not help and that his arms eventually went numb

Firsthand Testimonies from Opponents
Phil Muscato recalled that Marciano kept punching him in the upper arms until he could no longer raise them to throw punches or protect himself
Joe Louis remarked after their bout that Marciano hit so hard he could hurt someone by landing on the arm alone and when he hit the ribs or body it made you want to sit down
Ezzard Charles stated that Rocky numbed the body all over hurting every area including arms shoulders neck and head
�
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I stand corrected on Skehan,I haven't read Silver or Libby.
I'm not denying he ****** their arms up pretty good,my bone of contention was the use of the word deliberately.
Against Lastarza Marciano was behind on points early on and Goldman told him to attack the body to make bring the arms down to protect it.Marciano didnt break bones in Lastarza s arms in an interview with The Ring Lastarza said he had bone chips in his elbows before the fight and had surgery to remove them after the fight
Thanks for providing the links.
Check out Canelo repeatedly hitting Bivol on the left bicep to try and neutralize his jab.

[Bronson66]

"The two threw fake punches and put on a fa�§ade of boxing for a few dozen rounds, which were then used to illustrate what a potential match would have looked like. Ali, commenting on the experience years later, was shocked at the power Marciano still possessed at the age of 45: â��He was hitting me with these fake punches, and my arms were hurting after a few rounds! I couldnâ��t even lift a salt shaker!â��

Rocky Marciano and the Art of Effort // The Roundup�

I'd rather not go over old ground on this I did it with Queenie.

[them_apples]

I stand corrected on Skehan,I haven't read Silver or Libby.
I'm not denying he ****** their arms up pretty good,my bone of contention was the use of the word deliberately.
Against Lastarza Marciano was behind on points early on and Goldman told him to attack the body to make bring the arms down to protect it.Marciano didnt break bones in Lastarza s arms in an interview with The Ring Lastarza said he had bone chips in his elbows before the fight and had surgery to remove them after the fight
Thanks for providing the links.
Check out Canelo repeatedly hitting Bivol on the left bicep to try and neutralize his jab.

all good you got me last time so we are even