About
'The Man of Steel' took on Rocky Graziano for the middleweight title three times in the span of 21 months.
Before Fame
He got his nickname in part for his origins from the steelmaking town, and in part due to his extraordinary ability to absorb punches.
Trivia
In his first match against Graziano in 1946 he was punished by the Italian boxer for the better part of six rounds before rallying and knocking him out. Graziano returned the favor and rallied to win the re-match in 1947.
Family Life
He was born Anthony Florian Zaleski in Gary, Indiana.
Associated With
In their third matchup, he and Rocky Graziano traded rocking blows for three rounds, before he knocked him out for good and regained his middleweight title - just the third boxer to do so.
