About
Heavyweight boxing champion who compiled a career record of 49-0-0. He was known as the Brockton Blockbuster and successfully defended his title in six matches.
Before Fame
He suffered from pneumonia when he was just 18 months old and nearly died from it. His first professional fight came in 1947.
Trivia
His name and boxing style inspired the film series Rocky, which starred Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa. He worked in television after retiring in 1955.
Family Life
Met his wife-to-be Barbara in 1947 while he was a ditch digger for a gas company. They married in 1950 and had two children.
Associated With
He defeated Joe Louis on October 26, 1951, the last fight of Louis's career.