Athletes - Rocky Graziano

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	Athletes - Rocky Graziano

Rocky Graziano, born Thomas Rocco Barbella in New York City (January 1, 1922–May 22, 1990), was an American boxer. Graziano was world Middleweight champion, and he fought Tony Zale in one of boxing's most storied rivalries ever. He also fought Sugar Ray Robinson, losing by knockout in three rounds. In his early days he fought against Mickey Caderelli. After his retirement from boxing, he became a well-known television comedian, participating in the Martha Raye Show for a number of years, and co-hosting a short-lived series titled The Henny and Rocky Show with famous comedian Henny Youngman. Graziano is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Paul Newman portrayed him in the 1956 film Somebody Up There Likes Me.

Graziano, Rocky Graziano, Rocky Graziano, Rocky Graziano, Rocky Graziano, Rocky One of the most popular fighters of any era, Rocky Graziano was an adored champion until the day he died. Graziano was a troubled youth growing up on the gritty Lower East Side of Manhattan. It can be said that boxing saved his life.

A crude puncher, Graziano defeated his opponents with a tireless attack and potent right hand. Another great asset Rocky possessed was the ability to take a punch.

Graziano fought between the welterweight and middleweight divisions, but made his mark in 1945 when he knocked out welterweight contenders Billy Arnold and Al "Bummy" Davis. Then he scored consecutive 10th-round stoppages of welter champ Freddie Cochrane in non-title bouts and closed out the year by halting Harold Green in three rounds.

Graziano's three-fight series with middleweight champ Tony Zale defines his career. The three contests lasted a combined 15 rounds and saw seven knockdowns.

In the first fight, at Yankee Stadium in 1946, Zale recovered from a knockdown to stop Graziano in the sixth round. The rematch was in Chicago a year later because Graziano had his license suspended in New York for failing to report a bribe. Bleeding badly, Graziano knocked out Zale in six to win the title.

Zale ended the series and took back the title with a brutal third-round knockout in 1948. Graziano challenged Sugar Ray Robinson for the middleweight title in 1952 and scored a quick knockdown early in the third but Robinson recovered and knocked Graziano out before the round ended.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Rocky Graziano ]

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Athletes - Rocky Graziano

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