Mike Stanton (1)

What I knew about Rocky Marciano before I read the book was that he retired as an undefeated Heavyweight Champion. I did not know about his conduct during World War that got him locked up in jail. I did not know of the mob's influence in his career. I did not realize that his list of opponents while he was champion were of dubious quality, boxers who were on the way down like Joe Louis, Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott. Marciano retired right before he would have had to fight the likes of Cassius Clay, Sonny Liston and Floyd Patterson to name a few.

Marciano died relatively young in a plane crash. He was not a good businessperson and was lousy with investing and saving money. Marciano succumbed to the good life after boxing and hung around with Frank Sinatra and a number of "made guys."

He's not a very sympathetic figure. Again his boxing record is offset by the relatively low level of his opponents. Good book though...… (mere)