On today again in 1954, Rocky Marciano and Ezzard Charles clashed at Yankee Stadium to contest, for the second time in simply three months, the heavyweight championship of the world. Of their terrific first battle, Charles turned the one man to final fifteen rounds with the “Brockton Blockbuster,” however Rocky prevailed by unanimous choice. “The Cincinnati Cobra” would battle valiantly within the rematch, however this time final solely half as lengthy. The 1954 Ring Journal ‘Battle of the Yr’ was a grueling, bodily, eight spherical slugfest that ended after a usually savage assault from the indomitable Marciano.
Thought of by many to be one of many all-time best boxers pound-for-pound, and fairly presumably the best gentle heavyweight ever, Ezzard Charles had an expert document of 83-11-1 when he clashed with Marciano for the second time. Not a tall or closely constructed man, he had nonetheless change into the lineal heavyweight champion with a choice win over Joe Louis in 1950, earlier than shedding the crown to Jersey Joe Walcott in 1951. Robust, defensively expert, and splendidly fluid contained in the ring, the 33-year-old had already confirmed himself as soon as towards The Rock, and now regarded to construct upon his robust first exhibiting.
Two years youthful than his opponent, the 46-0 Marciano was the Cobra’s stylistic reverse. Shorter, wilder, with an method that privileged motion over warning, Marciano was the dwelling archetype of a blood-and-guts slugger. He received the heavyweight championship in 1952 with a devastating knockout over Walcott, and had defended it towards Walcott and Roland LaStarza earlier than that first, magnificent warfare with Charles. The rematch was a possibility for the preventing pleasure of Brockton, Massachusetts to show that the Cobra’s first efficiency, which had pushed Rocky to his limits, was an anomaly.
If the motion within the first bout was distinctive for its cleanliness (extremely, there was just one clinch in your complete fifteen rounds), the Marciano vs Charles rematch concerned much more uncooked physicality. Charles started aggressively and as soon as the primary clinch had occurred simply seconds after the opening bell, he scored with a heavy left hook to Marciano’s midsection. Little doubt thrilled with the tone the challenger was setting, the Italian responded by attacking Charles within the second and dropping him after touchdown two enormous proper arms. Charles rapidly rose and the spherical ended with a ferocious trade.
With the battle’s brutal tone and tempo firmly established, Marciano continued his assault, pitching laborious with each fists. Whereas the taller, extra sleek challenger would typically reply with a handy guide a rough uppercut, Marciano’s lunging ways made it troublesome for Charles to determine his jab. Rocky’s strain didn’t abate and he continued to brawl, forcing each males to battle for stretches with their heads solely inches aside. This successfully neutralized each Charles’ attain benefit and his sharp defensive abilities.
However the former champion had no intention of succumbing simply, demonstrating this on the finish of spherical 5. Marciano struck after the bell and the Cobra, his options knotted in anger, bit again, hammering Rocky to the face. It was seemingly this shot that helped open up a ugly gash on the top of Marciano’s nostril that bled closely within the sixth.
Undaunted, Marciano pressed on. His face regarded “like a Halloween character with yellow stuff smeared over his nostril,” the announcer remarked in reference to the ointment utilized by his nook. By up to date requirements, the reduce, with Marciano’s left nostril cut up, ought to have spelled the top, however the referee allowed the motion to proceed and the relentless champion, together with his nook urging him to get the knockout earlier than the bout was stopped, fought as if wholly detached to his harm.
Within the eighth, his face twisted and bloodied, Marciano ensured Charles wouldn’t survive to see the ultimate bell. He battered the challenger with alternating lefts and rights, punctuating the assault with an enormous overhand proper to the top to attain one other knockdown. Once more the challenger rose, nevertheless it was a mere formality as Rocky, sensing victory, lunged again on the broken fighter, swinging wildly. The ultimate flurry was classic Marciano, so livid his imprecision was overcome by the amount and violence of his punches. Kneeling on the mat, clearly overwhelmed, Charles took the rely.
Marciano vs Charles II was received by the boxer whose fashion was higher suited to the character of the competition. The gifted Charles was something however weak of coronary heart. Marciano later mentioned, “Ezzard Charles was the hardest man I ever fought. I discovered what ache was all about after I fought him.” An clever and urbane particular person, Charles wouldn’t be defeated by his will, however finally his physique, as he succumbed to Lou Gehrig’s illness in 1975 on the age of 53. Equally tragic was Marciano’s passing: solely 45 years previous, he died in a aircraft crash in 1969. Their twin existences, nevertheless temporary, by no means lacked in vitality, for via their two-fight, 23 spherical engagement, every skilled human competitors at its highest stage. — Eliott McCormick
