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Just a little more than fifty-one years ago, a short, compact punching machine by the name of Rocky Marciano hung up the gloves for the last time. There are varying reports as to why he retired at the relatively young age of 32; but in doing so, he became the only champion of the division to walk away from the sport without ever suffering defeat, never to return.
In 1905, World Heavyweight Champion James J. Jeffries retired with an undefeated record of 17-0-2 (14 ko’s); but then returned five years later at the age of 35 to be slowly dismantled by then-champion Jack Johnson.
The only other heavyweight champions to retire with the belt and never re-enter the ring were Gene Tunney and Lennox Lewis and both had suffered defeat before their retirements, leaving Marciano as the only former heavyweight champion with a completely unblemished record upon his exit from the prize ring. He was small by today’s Cruiserweight standards and defended his title only six times in his three-year reign, yet is revered as one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time by most boxing experts. Why? The “0”? [details]
In 1905, World Heavyweight Champion James J. Jeffries retired with an undefeated record of 17-0-2 (14 ko’s); but then returned five years later at the age of 35 to be slowly dismantled by then-champion Jack Johnson.
The only other heavyweight champions to retire with the belt and never re-enter the ring were Gene Tunney and Lennox Lewis and both had suffered defeat before their retirements, leaving Marciano as the only former heavyweight champion with a completely unblemished record upon his exit from the prize ring. He was small by today’s Cruiserweight standards and defended his title only six times in his three-year reign, yet is revered as one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time by most boxing experts. Why? The “0”? [details]
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