BoxRec

URL	boxrec.com
Commercial?	Yes
Type of site	Boxing, Sports
Registration	Optional (required for forum posting)
Available language(s)	English
Owner	John Sheppard
Created by	John Sheppard
Alexa rank	8,909 (June 2012[update])[1]
Current status	Active

BoxRec or boxrec.com is a website dedicated to keep updated records of professional boxers, both male and female. It also maintains a mediawiki-based encyclopaedia of boxing: BoxRec Wiki.

The objective of the site is to document every professional boxer and boxing match from the instigation of the Queensberry Rules up to the present times. BoxRec publishes ratings for all active boxers and all time ratings.^[2]

Foundation[link]

The site was founded by John Sheppard, a Yorkshireman and former systems analyst for the National Coal Board. Sheppard had never attended a boxing bout until 1995 when he attended a "Prince" Naseem Hamed fight with Hamed's older brothers Riath and Nabeel. Sheppard had considered boxing to be a "barbaric and degrading" spectacle, stating "I sat there watching people punch each other in the head, wondering why they were doing it.....I was sprayed with blood, getting more and more miserable." However, Sheppard later explained, "[D]uring Naseem's fight, something clicked in my head. The subtlety of what he was doing, the genius of it all, became obvious to me. It wasn't a disgusting spectacle anymore. It was art, and I found myself cheering."^[3]

Following Hamed's split with Frank Warren, Sheppard went to work for Hamed at "Prince Promotions" in 2000. Sheppard then began to compile record of active British boxers in an attempt to aid matchmaking of boxers and then decided to create a website which would store the records of all boxers. The site has grown so much that Sheppard has gone full-time since 2005. As of December 2008, on a typical day 50,000 visitors could view 700,000 pages with the record of 1,300,000 bouts in its database encompassing 17,000 active and 345,000 non-active fighters.^[3]

Organization[link]

The website is updated by volunteer editors from many countries around the world. Each editor is assigned a country or in some instances, regions within countries and they maintain the records for boxers in that country or region. BoxRec also rates each active fighter by weight division using a computerised points-based system.^[3]

Criticism of the website[link]

[edit] Inaccurate records of boxers

BoxRec has been criticized for not keeping correct records for boxers, especially historic fighters.^[3] In 2005, BoxRec applied to become recognized as the official record keepers for the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC).^[4] The ABC held interviews with both Fight Fax and BoxRec at their 2005 convention. Each applicant made a submission and presentation to the ABC panel which included state commissioners and attorneys. The panel then voted unanimously in favour to award Fight Fax the position. The ABC later revealed that they had undertaken tests to measure the accuracy of the records of the websites and the Fight Fax records were shown to be 100% accurate with BoxRec's was found "to be substantially lower".^[4]

Boxing promoter J. Russell Peltz stated "very few things in life are one hundred percent. But I've come across some glaring errors at BoxRec, mostly in the historical records." ESPN's Dan Rafael noted that "so many people have a hand in BoxRec that the records aren't always accurate. Ricardo Mayorga's record has been wrong for years. There's a mistake on Derrick Gainer's record too."^[3]

Plaudits from boxing personalities[link]

When asked how important BoxRec was to him, boxing promoter Lou DiBella stated that "anyone in boxing who says he doesn't use BoxRec is either a complete imbecile or lying" and Bruce Trampler, the matchmaker for Top Rank, said that "short of actually being at a fight, they're the best source of information out there."^[3]

Boxing journalist Thomas Hauser also asked the chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission Ron Scott Stevens what his thoughts were and Stevens was quoted as saying "Fight Fax is the mandated record-keeper for athletic commissions in the United States. But BoxRec does more than supplement Fight Fax. In many respects, it surpasses Fight Fax."^[3]

David Haye, when commenting on what was his only professional loss at the time, stated^[5]

I'd love to get revenge over Carl Thompson, I know I have improved and made the adjustments required, but still I take a look at my record at BoxRec and I see this red blob there, that one loss there really does stick out at me.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Boxrec.com

Carl Davis CBE (born October 28, 1936, New York City, United States) is an American born conductor and composer who has made his home in the UK since 1961. In 1970 he married the English actress Jean Boht.^[1]

Carl is a conductor with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and regularly conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. He has written music for more than 100 television programs, but is best known for creating music to accompany silent films. Davis has assisted in the orchestration of the symphonic works of Paul McCartney.

The television years[link]

Davis achieved early prominence with the title music for the BBC anthology play series The Wednesday Play and later for Play for Today. Additional television scores include Up Pompeii! (1971), The Naked Civil Servant (1975), Man Friday (1975), The Kiss of Death (1977), Langrishe, Go Down (1978), Private Schulz (1980), Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years (1981), The Far Pavilions (1984), The Day the Universe Changed (1985), Pride and Prejudice (1995), and Coming Home (1998).

He also worked for television producer Jeremy Isaacs in providing the theme music for the history documentary series The World at War (1973) for Thames Television and Cold War (1998).

Davis conducted the BBC's theme song for their coverage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, adapted from George Handel's "See the Conquering Hero Comes".

Film music[link]

He has written a number of film scores including The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981), for which Davis won the BAFTA Award for Best Film Music.

Silent film music[link]

In 1980 Davis was commissioned by documentarians Kevin Brownlow and David Gill to create music for Thames Television's Hollywood: A Celebration of the American Silent Film. His association with them continued the same year with Abel Gance's epic silent film Napoléon (1927), which was restored and expanded with Davis' music for cinematic release.^[2] In March 2012, Davis conducted the Oakland East Bay Symphony performing his score for the complete Brownlow restoration in a presentation by the San Francisco Silent Film Festival at the Paramount Theatre Oakland.^[3][4][5][6] There was a similar treatment for D. W. Griffith's Intolerance: Love's Struggle Through The Ages (1916). This had orchestral music originally, but Davis's new score was used instead in 1989.

The Hollywood documentary series was followed by the documentaries Unknown Chaplin in 1982, Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow (cf Buster Keaton) in 1987 and Harold Lloyd: The Third Genius (cf Harold Lloyd) in 1989. In the 1980s and 1990s, Davis wrote and conducted the scores for numerous classic silent films released restored and released through Brownlow and Gill's Thames Silents series in the UK.

By 1993, his reputation made him the number one choice for new scores to silent films. Many DVD releases, including Ben-Hur (1925), Safety Last (1923), DeMille's The Godless Girl (1928), Chaplin's City Lights (1931) (re-orchestrated by Davis^[7] based on Chaplin's and Padilla's^[8] original written score) and Erich von Stroheim's Greed (1924), use Davis's music. Davis also created an entire re-scoring of Clarence Brown's Flesh and the Devil (1927). In many of these recordings, he is the conductor as well the composer. On several occasions he has performed these works live in the cinema, as well as in concert halls as the film is running.

Personal[link]

Davis married the British actress Jean Boht on December 28, 1970.^[1] They have two daughters, Hannah Louise (born 1972) and Jessie Jo (born 1974).^[1] Davis has also composed music for daughter Hannah's films Mothers & Daughters (2004) and The Understudy (2008). Davis and his wife served as executive producers on the latter film, and they appeared in the film as a married couple, the Davidovitzes.^[9]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Personal Website
• Carl Davis at the Internet Movie Database

Tommy Morrison
at Chiller Theatre on April 30, 2011
Statistics
Real name	Tommy Morrison
Nickname(s)	The Duke
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Nationality	American
Born	(1969-01-02) January 2, 1969 (age 43) Gravette, Arkansas
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	52
Wins	48
Wins by KO	42
Losses	3
Draws	1
No contests	0

Tommy Morrison born January 2, 1969, is an American heavyweight boxer and a former World Boxing Organization champion. He lost only three out of a total of 52 professional fights. Morrison's nickname, "The Duke," is based on disputed claims that he is a grandnephew of Hollywood star John Wayne.^[1] Morrison was a co-star with Sylvester Stallone in the 1990 boxing movie Rocky V.

Morrison's professional boxing career effectively ended when he tested positive for HIV in 1996. Beginning in 2006, Morrison attempted a comeback, stating that he did not have HIV and, later, that HIV is a "myth." His claims are refuted by boxing and medical authorities.^[2][3]

After his enforced retirement in 1996, Morrison has been charged with multiple assault, weapon, intoxication, and drug offenses. He was sentenced to jail on several occasions, and served part of one sentence in 2000–2001.

Amateur boxing[link]

Tommy Morrison was born in Gravette, Arkansas. At the urging of his father, Morrison, who was raised in Delaware County, Oklahoma and a Scottish-American, and whose older brother and two uncles were boxers, began boxing locally at the age of ten. Beginning at the age of 13, Morrison entered fifteen "toughman" contests using a fake ID (the minimum age for contestants was 21). He told The New York Times that he lost only one of these contests.^[4]

In 1988, Morrison won the Regional Heavyweight Title – Kansas City Golden Gloves from Donald Ellis and advanced to the National Golden Gloves in Omaha, Nebraska, where he lost a split decision to Derek Isaman. Two weeks later, Morrison took part in the Western Olympic trials in Houston, Texas winning the Heavyweight Title and garnishing the "Most Outstanding Fighter" of the tournament. Two weeks after that at the Olympic Trials, held in Concord, California, Morrison lost a split decision to Ray Mercer, who would go on to win the gold medal at the Seoul Olympics. Morrison's combined professional and amateur record is 343–24–1, with 315 wins by knockout.

Professional boxing career[link]

Morrison started his professional boxing career on November 10, 1988, with a first-round knockout of William Muhammad in New York City. Three weeks later, he scored another first-round knockout. In 1989, Morrison had 19 wins and no losses, 15 by knockout.

In 1991, Morrison, already the recipient of much television exposure, won fights against opponents James Quick Tillis and former world champion Pinklon Thomas. He was given an opportunity to face fellow undefeated fighter Ray Mercer, the WBO title holder in a Pay Per View card held on October 18, 1991. Morrison suffered the first loss of his career, losing by 5th round knockout. Morrison had six wins in 1992, including fights with Art Tucker and Joe Hipp, who would later become the first Native American to challenge for the world heavyweight title. In the Hipp fight, held June 19, 1992, Morrison was suffering from what was later discovered to be a broken hand and broken jaw, but rallied to score a knockout in the ninth round. After two wins in 1993, including one over two-time world title challenger Carl "The Truth" Williams, Morrison found himself fighting for the WBO title again, against heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman, who was himself making a comeback. As both men were famed for their punching power, an exciting battle was expected, but Morrison chose to avoid brawling with Foreman and spent the fight boxing from long range. Morrison was able to hit and move effectively in this manner, and after a closely contested bout he won a unanimous 12-round decision and the WBO title.

Morrison's first title defense was scheduled against Mike Williams, but when Williams withdrew on the night of the fight, Tim Tomashek stood in as a replacement. Although Tomashek had been prepared to fight as a backup plan, some news reports created the impression that he had just been pulled out of the crowd.^[5] The WBO later rescinded their sanctioning of this fight due to Tomashek's lack of experience. Almost immediately, talks of a fight with WBC champion Lennox Lewis began, but were halted when virtually unknown Michael Bentt upset Morrison in his next bout. Bentt knocked Morrison down three times, and the fight was stopped in the first round in front of a live HBO Boxing audience. Morrison recovered by winning three bouts in a row in 1994, but his last fight of the year, against Ross Puritty, ended with a draw.

Morrison won three fights in 1995 before meeting former #1 contender Razor Ruddock. Ruddock dropped Morrison to his knees in the first round, but Morrison recovered to force a standing count in round two and compete on even terms for five rounds. In the sixth round, Ruddock hurt Morrison with a quick combination, but just as it seemed Morrison was in trouble, he countered with a tremendous hook that put Ruddock on the canvas. Ruddock regained his feet, but Morrison drove him to the ropes and showered him with an extended flurry of blows. Just as the bell was about to sound, the referee stepped in and declared Morrison the winner by TKO.

The much-anticipated fight with Lewis, who had also lost his world championship, finally took place following the Ruddock match. Morrison was knocked out in the sixth round.

Professional career ended by HIV[link]

A few days before a scheduled fight against Arthur Weathers in 1996, Morrison tested positive on a mandatory HIV test performed by the Nevada Athletic Commission.^[6] Morrison's personal physician administered a confirmatory test, which was also positive.^[7] Nevada canceled the fight and placed Morrison on indefinite suspension. At a news conference, a "reflective"^[8] Morrison said that he had contracted HIV because of a "very permissive, fast, reckless lifestyle' that involved unprotected sex with multiple partners."^[2] Morrison also said that he once thought HIV was a danger only to drug addicts and homosexuals, but that his infection was evidence that HIV "does not discriminate."^[2] Morrison stated that he would never fight again.^[9] Later in 1996, Morrison announced that he wished to make a comeback with one more bout, the proceeds of which would benefit his newly created KnockOut Aids Foundation.^[6][10] To treat his HIV infection, Morrison told the New York Daily News in 2001, he took antiretroviral medication, which reduced his viral load to low levels^[7] and according to his promoter, saved his life.^[11]

HIV controversy and comeback bid[link]

Beginning in 2006, Morrison launched another comeback bid, alleging that his positive HIV tests had been false positives or that he was a victim of a plot by a rival boxer.^[12] The Nevada boxing commission's medical advisory board reviewed Morrison's status and concluded that the HIV positive results were "ironclad and unequivocal."^[13] The commission's Keith Kizer stated, "I hope he's HIV negative, I really do, but it doesn't seem likely...We'll wait and see what happens. He said he's been tested several times in recent years, but (we'll ask) what happened from 1996 and 2002, the years he won't talk about."^[13] Morrison said he tried to get a copy of the original test results. "We've asked, but they can't come up with it," he said. "I don't think it ever existed."^[13] USA Today reported that "Goodman said that's nonsense: 'All Mr. Morrison has to do is contact the laboratory, and they would immediately release the results to him.'"^[13]

Unable to box where governing bodies required HIV testing, Morrison had several fights in places where testing was not required.^[14][15][16] The Kansas City Star called his last fight, in Wyoming in early 2009, a "staged" event that could be found on YouTube as "Tommy Morrison's fake fight."^[3] Morrison also fought an unsanctioned fight on the sovereign territory of the Yavapai-Apache Nation in Arizona, where the state boxing commission does not have jurisdiction. The fight was originally scheduled to follow normal mixed martial arts rules, but was changed on the night of the event to first exclude ground-fighting, then to exclude kicks, knees, or elbows.^[12][17] Where HIV tests were required, Morrison refused to take them. The RACJ, the boxing commission for Quebec, required a routine, supervised HIV test of Morrison in advance of a scheduled 2011 fight. Morrison declined to take the test.^[18]

Morrison says he received anywhere from three^[19] to six^[15] negative HIV test results from the time of his incarceration for a drug conviction in 2000–2001 through 2007, but others dismiss these purported results as fraudulent or forged. Although West Virginia did not require a blood test before Morrison's 2007 fight, Morrison submitted a negative HIV test result "just to satisfy them."^[15] However, according to the New York Times, it was not clear that "anyone monitored the...blood draw,"^[11] leading to suspicions of switched blood samples. Despite a reported negative test result in Arizona in 2007,^[19] the state commission did not clear Morrison to fight, and the Philadelphia Daily News reported that there "seems to be some question about" whether the tested blood was Morrison's own.^[2] Also in 2007, the Arizona Republic reported that Morrison had again tested positive for HIV. A former associate alleged that Morrison had tested positive as late as January, 2007, and accused Morrison of "blood tampering and fraud" or forging test results.^[12][13] Doctors hired by various news organizations to review Morrison's test results expressed skepticism about the negative results.^[3][11][19]

Morrison continued to dispute his HIV-positive status but admitted confusion about the difference between the HIV test, which determines whether a person has contracted the virus, and the viral load test, which measures the level of virus in the blood: "What the doctors would tell me is that the HIV is undetectable. 'We can't find it, but it's not a negative test.' I didn't understand that," he told ESPN.^[15] Antiviral medications such as those taken by Morrison after his diagnosis^[7] often reduce the amount of circulating virus to an undetectable level, but this does not mean that the person is no longer infected. A test conducted in California found that Morrison was HIV positive but that his viral load was below the limit of detection.^[2]

By 2011, Morrison began to make various fringe claims, saying that he was able to teleport himself or regrow limbs, and that he should be able to box without HIV testing because HIV itself does not exist:^[3] "I'm living proof that HIV is a myth."^[2] He had made a similar statement in 1998, when he told ESPN that "HIV can’t be transmitted sexually anyway, unless it’s man to man. HIV is a harmless disease (sic) that does not cause AIDS."^[9] In 2011, the Kansas City Star reported that although Morrison appeared superficially healthy, his skin was sagging, his reflexes were slow, and he had lesions on his hands and arms that resembled Kaposi's sarcoma, an AIDS-defining cancer.^[3] HIV, the viral cause of AIDS, has killed millions of individuals worldwide,^[20] including several people associated with the boxing industry, such as boxer Ruben Palacios and the former fiancee of HIV-positive boxer Lamar Parks.^[2] 2012 Morrison no longer has lesions on his arms and hands after treatent for ringworm contracted through his boxer puppy. 2012 May OMSJ.org won a case in military court confirming that all hiv tests on the market do not confirm or diagnose hiv infection.

Film role[link]

In 1989, Sylvester Stallone observed one of Morrison's bouts. Stallone arranged a script reading and cast Morrison in the movie Rocky V as Tommy "Machine" Gunn,^[21] a young and talented protege of the retired Rocky Balboa. Originally an admirer of Rocky, Gunn's successes lead him to goad Rocky into a street fight. The movie received mixed reviews.

Legal problems and drug use[link]

Morrison has been arrested several times for drunk driving, assault, drug, and weapons charges. He was charged in 1991 with driving under the influence.^[9] In 1993, he allegedly struck a University of Iowa student from behind in a bar, stating that the student had been staring at him.^[22][23] Morrison pled guilty to assault and public intoxication charges but said that he was innocent.^[24] Earlier in the year, Morrison had been cleared of charges in an alleged altercation at a nightclub.^[25] In 1995, assault charges were filed against Morrison after he allegedly punched the mother of his son in the face and bit another woman at a Jay, Oklahoma party.^[26] Morrison pled guilty in 1996 to transporting a loaded weapon.^[27] In 1997, he was charged in two drunk driving incidents, one of which left three people injured, but he avoided jail time.^[28] Another Oklahoma traffic incident followed in 1998,^[9] and Morrison was charged with weapon and drug possession in Arkansas in April, 1999.

In September, 1999, Morrison was given a two-year suspended sentence for driving while intoxicated in Oklahoma.^[28] A week later, Fayetteville, Arkansas police stopped and searched Morrison's car after a near collision with a police cruiser. Morrison was allegedly intoxicated and driving without insurance, and the police found cocaine and marijuana, a weapon, and literature on methamphetamine production. While awaiting trial, Morrison was again arrested on charges of intoxication and possessing a weapon while a felon in November 1999. Morrison had fled the scene of a car accident, and police found drugs and six loaded guns in the car.^[28] In January, 2000, Morrison was convicted of the September, 1999 drugs and weapons charges and sentenced to two years incarceration. He spent the next 14 months in prison.^[29] In 2002, he was sentenced to another year in prison after violating parole, but the judge excused him from serving the sentence.^[9] Morrison was reportedly arrested again on drug charges in 2010 and 2011.^[30][31] Also in 2011, Morrison admitted to heavy methamphetamine use in the past.

On February 17, 2011, Tommy Morrison was arrested at the Kansas Turnpike service area, about four miles north of Emporia charged with possession of hallucinogenic drugs with two prior convictions, a felony, and with misdemeanor possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia. The arresting Kansas Highway Patrol officer allegedly found 8 grams of marijuana and a pipe with marijuana residue in a car driven by Morrison. He posted bond and was released the next day. Morrison waived a May 23 preliminary hearing and awaited a pre-trial hearing July 15, 2011.

The Emporia Gazette reported the charges were dropped Monday June 6, 2011 in Lyon County District Court because the arresting officer, Kansas Highway Patrolman Beau Wallace, was killed May 26, 2011 in a motorcycle accident. Prosecutors say Wallace was the sole trooper in the arrest and the case couldn't go on without him.

On Friday September 16, 2011, according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office Morrison was extradited from Tennessee to Kansas and jailed on charges filed in April of this year stemming from an arrest in Wichita March 4, 2010. Morrison made an initial Kansas Court appearance Thursday September 15 to answer charges of possession of marijuana after a previous conviction, a felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor. The previous conviction stems from a 2005 South Dakota drug arrest. His bail was set at $50,000. After 23 days in jail, Morrison made bail and was released on September 21, 2011.^[32] A preliminary hearing was held September 29. Details of the charges remain confidential.

A financial affidavit from Morrison states that he is married and lives in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and that he has no savings or property, the Wichita Eagle reported. On the court document, on the line asking for his occupation, he wrote "athlete", the newspaper reported.^[3]

Professional boxing record[link]

48 Wins (42 knockouts), 3 Losses, 1 Draw [33]
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
Win	48-3-1	Matt Weishaar	TKO	3 (10)	09/02/2008	Domo de la Feria, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico
Win	47-3-1	John Castle	TKO	2 (4)	22/02/2007	Mountaineer Casino, Chester, West Virginia, United States
Win	46-3-1	Marcus Rhode	TKO	1 (10)	03/11/1996	Tokyo Bay NK Hall, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan
Loss	45-3-1	Lennox Lewis	TKO	6 (12)	07/10/1995	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	45-2-1	Donovan Ruddock	TKO	6 (12)	10/06/1995	Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win	44-2-1	Terry Anderson	KO	7 (10)	01/05/1995	Brady Theater, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win	43-2-1	Marcellus Brown	KO	3 (10)	05/03/1995	Civic Assembly Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma, United States
Win	42-2-1	Ken Merritt	TKO	1 (10)	07/02/1995	State Fair Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Draw	41-2-1	Ross Puritty	SD	10	28/07/1994	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	41–2	Sherman Griffin	UD	10	24/05/1994	Brady Theater, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win	40–2	Brian Scott	TKO	2 (10)	27/03/1994	Expo Square Pavilion, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win	39–2	Tui Toia	KO	3 (10)	20/02/1994	Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Loss	38–2	Michael Bentt	TKO	1 (12)	29/10/1993	Civic Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States	Lost WBO heavyweight title.
Win	38–1	Tim Tomashek	TKO	4 (12)	30/08/1993	Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win	37–1	George Foreman	UD	12	07/06/1993	Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Won vacant WBO heavyweight title.
Win	36–1	Dan Murphy	TKO	3 (10)	30/03/1993	Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win	35–1	Carl Williams	TKO	8 (10)	16/01/1993	Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, United States
Win	34–1	Marshall Tillman	TKO	1 (10)	12/12/1992	America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win	33–1	Joe Hipp	TKO	9 (10)	27/06/1992	Bally's Hotel & Casino, Reno, Nevada, United States
Win	32–1	Art Tucker	TKO	2 (10)	14/05/1992	Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, Nevada, United States
Win	31–1	Kimmuel Odum	TKO	3 (?)	23/04/1992	Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States
Win	30–1	Jerry Halstead	TKO	5 (10)	20/03/1992	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	29–1	Bobby Quarry	TKO	2 (10)	16/02/1992	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss	28–1	Ray Mercer	TKO	5 (12)	18/10/1991	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	For WBO heavyweight title.
Win	28–0	Ladislao Mijangos	TKO	1 (10)	27/06/1991	Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	27–0	Yuri Vaulin	TKO	5 (10)	19/04/1991	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	26–0	Pinklon Thomas	RTD	1 (10)	19/02/1991	Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win	25–0	James Tillis	TKO	1 (8)	11/01/1991	Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	24–0	Mike Acey	TKO	1 (6)	08/11/1990	Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	23–0	John Morton	TKO	5 (?)	04/10/1990	Mark Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	22–0	Charles Woolard	KO	2 (?)	09/06/1990	Memorial Hall, Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win	21–0	Ken Lakusta	UD	6	07/12/1989	Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	20–0	Lorenzo Canady	UD	6	14/11/1989	South Mountain Arena, West Orange, New Jersey, United States
Win	19–0	Charles Hostetter	KO	1 (?)	26/10/1989	Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win	18–0	Harry Terrell	KO	1 (10)	17/10/1989	State Fair, Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win	17–0	David Jaco	KO	1 (6)	19/09/1989	Veteran's Coliseum, Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Win	16–0	Rick Enis	TKO	1 (6)	05/09/1989	Harrah's Hotel & Casino, Stateline, Nevada, United States
Win	15–0	Jesse Shelby	TKO	2 (6)	22/08/1989	Showboat Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	14–0	Mike Robinson	TKO	2 (6)	22/08/1989	Bally's Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	13–0	Aaron Brown	UD	10	03/07/1989	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	12–0	Steve Zouski	UD	4	25/06/1989	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	11–0	Ricky Nelson	TKO	2 (6)	11/06/1989	Trump Plaza Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	10–0	Mike McGrady	TKO	1 (?)	14/05/1989	Trump Plaza Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	9–0	Lorenzo Boyd	TKO	2 (?)	22/04/1989	Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win	8–0	Alan Jamison	KO	1 (?)	29/03/1989	Wichita, Kansas, United States
Win	7–0	Lee Moore	KO	2 (?)	24/02/1989	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	6–0	Traore Ali	TKO	4 (6)	09/02/1989	Felt Forum, New York, New York, United States
Win	5–0	Mike Foley	KO	1 (?)	24/01/1989	Great Falls, Montana, United States
Win	4–0	Elvin Evans	KO	1 (?)	17/01/1989	Premier Center, Sterling Heights, Michigan, United States
Win	3–0	Joe Adams	KO	1 (?)	12/01/1989	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win	2–0	Tony Dewar	KO	1 (?)	30/11/1988	Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, United States
Win	1–0	William Muhammad	TKO	1 (4)	10/11/1988	Felt Forum, New York, New York, United States

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Tommy Morrison Fight-by-Fight Career Record
• Professional boxing record for Tommy Morrison from BoxRec

Joe "The Boss" Hipp is a retired professional Native American heavyweight boxer. Hipp, a member of Blackfoot Tribe became the first Native American to challenge for the world heavyweight championship of boxing on August 19, 1995 when he fought WBA champion Bruce Seldon at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. On May 2009, Hipp was inducted into American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame.

Professional career[link]

Hipp began his professional career with a 4-round decision victory over Steve Cortez at the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene, Oregon on August 29, 1987. For his second fight 2 months later, Hipp travelled to Carson City, Nevada to face Utah native Veti Katoa. The fight was stopped by the ringside doctor after Hipp suffered a broken jaw in the third round.

Hipp rebounded successfully from the defeat by notching up 3 consecutive first round knockout victories before facing Katoa in a rematch at Gardnerville Park in Gardnerville, Nevada on July 2, 1988. Hipp dominated the action on the inside with his hard hitting, banging style to take a 5 round unanimous decision.

Hipp then took a year long-hiatus from boxing before returning to face Andrew Matthews on the 4th of July of the following year. Outweighing his opponent by over 30 pounds, Hipp punched his way to secure a first round stoppage of his foe. Exactly two weeks later, Hipp scored a unanimous four round decision over up-and-coming contender Cleveland Woods in what Ring Magazine referred to as "...the upset of the night" on the card for that evening.

Hipp began another winning streak (including a brutal third round knockout of Katoa in their third and final meeting) before facing Bert Cooper in the bout Cooper fought in before facing Evander Holyfield for the world title one month later. Cooper matched Hipp's penchant for slugging with a flurry of punches of his own en route to a fifth round stoppage by referee Joe Cortez and a victory before his fight with Holyfield.

Hipp again rebounded by winning 3 consecutive contests before facing Tommy Morrison on June 27, 1992 in Reno, Nevada. In a slugfest that saw Morrison break his jaw and both of his hands, Hipp lost via 9th round stoppage after he, in turn, suffered a complete shattering of his cheekbones. Afterwards, Hipp fought once in 1993 scoring a ten round decision victory over Kevin Ford, in a rematch with the fringe contender he'd scored a decision over just two fights prior to the Morrison fight.

Hipp came back in 1994 with a set of victories that saw him earn and defend the NABF heavyweight title. He began the following year by continuing his winning ways over Phillip Brown, a journeyman fighter who quickly retired after Hipp easily punched his way to a third round stoppage victory over him. This would lead to Hipp's most important fight, the fight that would land him in the history books as the first Native American to challenge for the Heavyweight Championship of the World.

First Native American Heavyweight Championship[link]

On August 19, 1995 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on the undercard to the infamous Mike Tyson v. Peter McNeeley fight (Tyson's first fight after being released from prison for rape), Hipp squared off against Bruce Seldon for the WBA Heavyweight championship. The fight was stopped in the tenth round of the contest by referee Richard Steele after Hipp experienced massive swelling and bleeding on his face. In 1999 he became the first Native American Heavyweight boxing champion by winning the WBF heavyweight championship.^[1]

Career Decline[link]

Hipp's career was rather undistinguished afterwards. He fired off a series of victories over third rate competition before being knocked out by hard hitting journeyman Ross Puritty on June 15, 1997. Hipp had secured a comfortable lead on the scorecards before Puritty came out swinging for the tenth and final round of their bout. An exhausted Hipp was no match for the desperate Puritty as he suffered his first defeat by a clean knockout (as opposed to referee stoppage). He racked up three consecutive victories after the Puritty fight but then blew out his knee against Jeff Pegues on December 9, 1999. He attempted a comeback four years later, but that proved ill-fated two fights into it as he dropped a six-round decision to journeyman Billy Zumbrun on November 14, 2003.

Hipp, referred to as "The Boss" by his loyal fans, returned from another extended hiatus on August 13, 2005, to win a six round decision over Ted Reiter. He has not fought since.

Professional boxing record[link]

43 Wins (29 knockouts, 14 decisions), 7 Losses (6 knockouts, 1 decision)[1]
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
Win	1-3	Ted Reiter	MD	6	13/08/2005	Lewiston, Idaho, United States	57-56, 57-56, 58-58.
Loss	12-5-1	Billy "The Kid" Zumbrun	MD	6	14/11/2003	Seattle, Washington, United States	56-58, 56-58, 57-57.
Win	12-6	Chris Brown	KO	2	22/08/2003	Spokane, Washington, United States	Brown knocked out at 2:37 of the second round.
Loss	16-6	Jeff Pegues	TKO	5	09/12/1999	Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States	Hipp suffered a severe knee injury during the fight causing a stoppage.
Win	20-30-1	Everett "Bigfoot" Martin	UD	12	25/06/1999	Saint Charles, Missouri, United States	WBF World Heavyweight Title.
Win	21-11	Jack Basting	UD	10	27/03/1998	Tacoma, Washington, United States
Win	11-7	George McFall	TKO	2	11/02/1998	Yakima, Washington, United States
Loss	22-10-1	Ross "The Boss" Puritty	KO	10	15/06/1997	Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Win	17-3	Marcus "Big Tuna" Rhode	TKO	1	29/03/1997	Bellevue, Washington, United States
Win	18-26	Lorenzo Boyd	KO	1	10/03/1997	Kansas City, Missouri, United States	Boyd knocked out at 2:45 of the first round.
Win	16-9-1	Will "Hammer" Hinton	TKO	1	13/12/1996	Tacoma, Washington, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 1:30 of the first round.
Win	7-2	Troy Roberts	KO	2	05/10/1996	Yakima, Washington, United States
Win	14-4	Fred Houpe	TKO	1	23/09/1996	Bellevue, Washington, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 1:55 of the first round.
Win	10-11-1	Bill Corrigan	KO	1	04/08/1996	Sequim, Washington, United States	Corrigan knocked out at 1:39 of the first round.
Win	2-5	Anthony "A.J." Moore	TKO	5	17/07/1996	Worley, Idaho, United States	Western States Heavyweight Title.
Win	11-3-1	Martin Jacques	TKO	1	15/12/1995	Yakima, Washington, United States
Loss	32-3	Bruce "The Atlantic City Express" Seldon	TKO	10	19/08/1995	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	WBA World Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 1:47 of the tenth round.
Win	30-11-2	Philipp Brown	TKO	3	17/04/1995	Moline, Illinois, United States
Win	20-2	Rodolfo Marin	SD	10	01/11/1994	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	98-92, 96-94, 94-96.
Win	33-11-1	Jose "El Nino" Ribalta	KO	2	10/05/1994	Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States	NABF Heavyweight Title. Ribalta knocked out at 1:53 of the second round.
Win	34-3-1	Alex Garcia	UD	12	01/03/1994	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	NABF Heavyweight Title. 118-110, 120-108, 119-109.
Win	13-19-1	Keith "Sir Jabalot" McMurray	KO	4	14/01/1994	Saint George, Utah, United States	McMurray knocked out at 2:52 of the fourth round.
Win	14-2	Kevin Ford	UD	10	03/04/1993	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	99-91, 99-92, 98-93.
Loss	32-1	Tommy "The Duke" Morrison	TKO	9	27/06/1992	Reno, Nevada, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 2:47 of the ninth round. Hipp suffered a broken cheekbone and Morrison suffered a broken hand and jaw.
Win	20-11-1	Jesse Shelby	UD	10	28/02/1992	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	99-90, 97-93, 98-92.
Win	11-1	Kevin Ford	UD	8	01/02/1992	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	80-72, 79-72, 80-71.
Win	10-19	John "Big Red" Morton	KO	3	05/01/1992	Reno, Nevada, United States	Morton knocked out at 3:00 of the third round.
Loss	25-7	"Smokin" Bert Cooper	TKO	5	18/10/1991	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 1:01 of the fifth round.
Win	12-3	Cleveland Woods	KO	1	15/07/1991	Irvine, California, United States	Woods knocked out at 0:27 of the first round.
Win	11-5-1	Bill Duncan	KO	1	02/07/1991	Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win	17-7	David "Hand Grenade" Bey	TKO	7	26/02/1991	Birmingham, Alabama, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 1:07 of the seventh round.
Win	30-16	Mike Cohen	KO	4	14/01/1991	Fife, Washington, United States	WBFo Intercontinental Heavyweight Title. Cohen knocked out at 2:30 of the fourth round.
Win	13-7	Richard Cade	KO	2	16/11/1990	Fort Lewis, Washington, United States	Cade knocked out at 0:52 of the second round.
Win	16-15-1	Harry Terrell	KO	2	11/09/1990	Fife, Washington, United States	Terrell knocked out at 2:14 of the second round.
Win	3-6	Gerardo "Rocky" Valero	KO	1	26/07/1990	Yakima, Washington, United States	Valero knocked out at 3:04 of the first round.
Win	6-5	Tracy Thomas	UD	10	12/06/1990	Yakima, Washington, United States	100-88, 100-87, 99-89.
Win	8-9-1	Danny Wofford	PTS	6	24/04/1990	Reseda, California, United States
Win	4-5	Veti Katoa	KO	3	16/03/1990	Butte, Montana, United States
Win	2-3-1	Dan "The Boss" Ross	KO	1	12/02/1990	Butte, Montana, United States	Ross knocked out at 2:09 of the first round.
Win	45-11-4	Marvin Camel	TKO	6	02/12/1989	Lacey, Washington, United States
Win	9-1	"Irish" Sean McClain	TKO	4	26/09/1989	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	17-7-2	Shaun Ayers	UD	10	26/08/1989	Eugene, Oregon, United States	96-94, 98-93, 96-95.
Win	4-0	Cleveland Woods	UD	4	18/07/1989	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	3-1	Andrew Matthews	TKO	1	04/07/1989	Gardnerville, Nevada, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 0:34 of the first round.
Win	4-2	Veti Kotoa	UD	5	02/07/1988	Gardnerville, Nevada, United States
Win	0-6	Steve Cortez	TKO	1	18/06/1988	Vancouver, Washington, United States
Win	0-4	Paul Bradshaw	TKO	1	04/06/1988	Albany, Oregon, United States
Win	1-1	John Elkins	TKO	1	02/06/1988	Portland, Oregon, United States
Loss	--	Veti Katoa	TKO	3	24/10/1987	Carson City, Nevada, United States	Doctor stopped the bout due to a broken jaw.
Win	0-2	Steve Cortez	UD	4	29/08/1987	Eugene, Oregon, United States

Outside the Ring[link]

In 2004, Rocky Mountain Community College and the Billings Writer's Voice sponsored a poetry reading held by various Native American groups in tribute to him.

In December 2005, Hipp was a FEMA worker for the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Responding to the call, he joined his fellow Blackfeet members who were called upon due to their experience in wildfires and search and rescue missions.

By 2007 Hipp was working for his former manager Ray Frye at a Seattle area sweeping company. He also co-owned a small construction company.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Professional boxing record for Joe Hipp from BoxRec

Link: http://www.nativewiki.org/Northern_Plains_Intertribal_Poetry_Bout

Rocky Marciano (born Rocco Francis Marchegiano; September 1, 1923 – August 31, 1969) was an American professional boxer and the World Heavyweight Champion from September 23, 1952, to April 27, 1956. Marciano is the only champion to hold the heavyweight title and go untied and undefeated throughout his career. Marciano defended his title six times.

Early years[link]

Marciano was born and raised in Brockton, Massachusetts to Pierino Marchegiano and Pasqualina Picciuto. Both of his parents were immigrants from Italy: his father was from Ripa Teatina, Abruzzo, while his mother was from San Bartolomeo in Galdo, Campania. Rocky had three sisters—Alice, Concetta and Elizabeth—and two brothers—Sonny and Peter. When he was about eighteen months old, he got pneumonia, from which he almost died.

In his youth, he played baseball, worked out on homemade weightlifting equipment (later in his life, Marciano was also a client of Charles Atlas)^[1] and used a stuffed mail bag that hung from a tree in his back yard as a heavy bag. He attended Brockton High School, where he played both baseball and football. However, he was cut from the school baseball team because he had joined a church league, violating a school rule forbidding players from joining other teams. He dropped out of school after finishing tenth grade.

Marciano then worked as a chute man on delivery trucks for the Brockton Ice and Coal Company. He also worked as a ditch digger and as a shoemaker. Rocky was also a resident of Hanson, Massachusetts; the house he lived in still stands on Main Street.

In March 1943, Marciano was drafted into the Army for a term of two years. Stationed in Swansea, Wales, he helped ferry supplies across the English Channel to Normandy. After the war ended, he completed his service in March 1946 at Fort Lewis, Washington.^[2]

Amateur career[link]

Marciano's amateur record was 8–4.^[3] While awaiting discharge, Marciano, representing the army, won the 1946 Amateur Armed Forces boxing tournament. His amateur career was interrupted on March 17, 1947, when Marciano stepped into the ring as a professional competitor. That night, he knocked out Lee Epperson in three rounds. In an unusual move, however, Marciano returned to the amateur ranks and fought in the Golden Gloves All-East Championship Tournament in March 1948. He was beaten by Coley Wallace.^[4] He continued to fight as an amateur throughout the spring and competed in the AAU Olympic tryouts in the Boston Garden. There, he knocked out George McInnis, but hurt his hands during the bout and was forced to withdraw from the tournament. That was his last amateur bout.^[5]

In late March, 1947, Marciano and a few of his friends traveled to Fayetteville, North Carolina, to try out for the Fayetteville Cubs, a farm team for the Chicago Cubs baseball team.^[6] Marciano lasted three weeks before being cut. After failing to find a spot on another team, he returned to Brockton and began boxing training with longtime friend, Allie Colombo. Al Weill and Chick Wergeles served as his managers and Charley Goldman as his trainer and teacher.

Professional career[link]

Although he had one professional fight (against Lee Epperson), on his record, Marciano began fighting permanently as a professional boxer on July 12, 1948. That night, he notched a win over Harry Bilizarian (3–6–0). He won his first sixteen bouts by knockout, all before the fifth round, and nine before the first round was over. Don Mogard (17–9–1) became the first boxer to last the distance (full 10 rounds scheduled) with "The Rock," but Marciano won by unanimous decision.

Early in his career, he changed the spelling of his last name. The ring announcer in Providence, Rhode Island could not pronounce Marchegiano, so Marciano's handler, Al Weill, suggested they create a pseudonym. The first suggestion was Rocky Mack, which Marciano rejected. He decided to go with the more Italian-sounding "Marciano."^[7]

Marciano won three more fights by knockout and then he met Ted Lowry (58–48–9), who, according to many scribes and witnesses, probably managed to win three or four of the ten rounds from Marciano. Nevertheless, Marciano kept his winning streak alive by beating Lowry by unanimous decision. Four more knockout wins followed, including a five rounder on December 19, 1949 with Phil Muscato (56–20–0), an experienced heavyweight from Buffalo, New York and the first "name fighter" Marciano would face. Three weeks after that fight, Marciano beat Carmine Vingo (16–1–0) by a fifth round knockout in New York that almost killed Vingo.

Marciano vs. La Starza[link]

On March 24, 1950, Marciano fought Roland La Starza, winning by split decision. La Starza may have come closer than any other boxer to defeating Marciano. The scoring for the bout was 5–4, 4–5, 5–5 and Marciano won on a supplemental point system used by New York and Massachusetts at that time. It should also be noted that this scoring system did not award an extra point for a knockdown and Marciano scored a knockdown in this fight. Referee Watson decided the bout, scoring it 9–6 for Marciano. Both boxers were undefeated at the time of the fight, with La Starza's record at 37–0.

Subsequent bouts[link]

Marciano won three more knockouts in a row before a rematch with Lowry (61–56–10). Marciano again won by unanimous decision. After that, he won four more by knockout, and, after a decision win over Red Applegate (11–14–2) late April 1951, he was showcased on national television for the first time, when he knocked out Rex Layne (34–1–2) in six rounds on July 12, 1951.

On Oct. 27, 1951, the 28 year old, Marciano, took on the 37 year old, Joe Louis. Coming into the bout, Marciano was 6½ to 5 underdog.^[8] Marciano would upset the favorite, Louis, in what would be the latter's last career bout, a result that left him with mixed emotions, as Louis had been his childhood idol.

After four more wins, including victories over 35 year old, Lee Savold (96–37–3) and Harry Matthews (81–3–5), Marciano got his shot at the title.

Championship fights[link]

Marciano, 28, faced the World Heavyweight Champion, 38-year-old Jersey Joe Walcott in Philadelphia on September 23, 1952. Walcott dropped Marciano in the first round and steadily built a points lead; but in the thirteenth, Walcott used his trademark feint to set up his right hand, but Marciano's "Suzie Q" landed first. Marciano landed a glancing left hook as Walcott slumped to his knees with his arm draped over the ropes. He lay motionless long after he had been counted out and Marciano became the new World Heavyweight Champion. At the time of the stoppage, Walcott was leading on all scorecards, 8–4, 7–5 and 7–4.

His first defense came a year later, a rematch against Walcott, 39, who this time was knocked out in the first round.

Next, it was Roland La Starza's turn to challenge Marciano. After building a small lead on the judges' scorecards all the way to the middle rounds, Marciano won the rematch by a technical knockout in the eleventh round.

Then came two consecutive bouts against former World Heavyweight Champion and light heavyweight legend, Ezzard Charles, 33, who became the only man to ever last fifteen rounds against Marciano.^[9] Marciano won the first fight on points and the second by an eighth-round knockout. Then, Marciano met British and European Champion, Don Cockell. Marciano knocked him out in the ninth round.

Marciano's last title bout was against 38 year old, Archie Moore, on September 21, 1955. The bout was originally scheduled for September 20, but because of hurricane warnings, it had to be delayed a day. Marciano was knocked down for a four count in the second round, but recovered and retained his title by way of a knockout in round nine.

Marciano announced his retirement on April 27, 1956.^[10]

After boxing[link]

Marciano considered a comeback in 1959 when Ingemar Johansson won the Heavyweight Championship from Floyd Patterson on June 26, 1959. After only a month of training in three years, Marciano decided against it and never seriously considered a comeback again.^[11]

After his retirement, Marciano entered the world of television, first appearing in the Combat! episode "Masquerade" and then hosting a weekly boxing show on TV in 1961. For a brief period, he worked as a troubleshooting referee in wrestling (Marciano was a good wrestler in high school). He continued as a referee and boxing commentator in boxing matches for many years. He was also active in business as a partner and vice president of Papa Luigi Spaghetti Dens, a San Francisco based franchise company formed by Joe Kearns and James Braly.

In late July 1969, shortly before his death, Marciano participated in the filming of the fantasy, The Superfight: Marciano vs. Ali. The two boxers were filmed sparring, then the film was edited to match a computer simulation of a hypothetical fight between them, each in their prime. It aired on January 20, 1970, with one version Marciano winning and the second version having Ali winning. When asked if he could have defeated Ali in a real fight, Marciano replied: "I'd be conceited if I said I could, but I'd be lying if I said I couldn't."

Death[link]

In 1969, on the eve of his 46th birthday, Marciano was a passenger in a small private plane, a Cessna 172^[12] headed to Des Moines, Iowa. It was at night and bad weather had set in. The pilot, Glenn Belz, had only 231 total hours of flying time, only 35 of them at night, and was not certified to fly in instrument meteorological conditions. Belz tried to set the plane down at a small airfield outside Newton, Iowa, but hit a tree two miles short of the runway. Rocky, Belz and 22-year-old Frankie Farrell (son of Italian mobster Louis Fratto) were killed on impact. The National Transportation Safety Board report said, "The pilot attempted an operation exceeding his experience and ability level, continued visual flight rules under adverse weather conditions and experienced spatial disorientation in the last moments of the flight."^{[13] [14]} Marciano was on his way to give a speech to support a friend's son and there was a surprise birthday celebration waiting for him. He had hoped to return early morning for his 46th birthday celebration with his wife. He was coming from a dinner in Chicago at STP CEO Andy Granatelli's home.

He is interred in a crypt at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His wife, who died five years after him at the age of 46, is entombed next to him. His father died in March 1972, his mother in early January 1986.

Legacy[link]

Rocky Marciano Statue in Italy

In 1971, Nat Fleischer, perhaps boxing's most famous historian and also editor and founder of Ring magazine, named Marciano as the all-time 10th greatest Heavyweight Champion.^[15] Nat Fleischer wrote that in terms of boxing ability Marciano was "crude, wild swinging, awkward, and missed heavily. In his bout with Light Heavyweight Champion Archie Moore, for example, he missed almost two-thirds of the fifty odd punches he tossed when he had Archie against the ropes, a perfect target for the kill."^[16]

John Durant^{[disambiguation needed ]} author of The Heavyweight Champions wrote in 1971 (pg. 123) “Critics do not rate Rocky with the great ones, like Jeffries, Johnson, Dempsey, Tunney, and Louis. He never faced top-fighters like they did. It was not Rocky’s fault, of course, that there was not much talent when he was fighting. He fought them all and that is what a champion is supposed to do.”

In December 1962, a Ring magazine poll of 40 boxing experts had Jack Dempsey rated the #1 Heavyweight of all time, with Joe Louis 2nd, Jack Johnson 3rd and Marciano 7th. Charley Rose, a historian, and John McCallum's Survey of Old Timers (survey of a group of historians and writers), rated Marciano at #8 and #9 of greatest heavyweights of all time.^[17]

In 1998, Ring named Marciano as the 6th greatest Heavyweight Champion ever. In 2002, Ring numbered Marciano at #12 on the list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years. In 2003, Ring rated Marciano #14 on the list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. In 2005, Marciano was named the fifth greatest heavyweight of all time by the International Boxing Research Organization.^[18] A 1977 ranking by Ring listed Marciano as the greatest Italian American fighter. In 2007, on ESPN.com's list of the 50 Greatest Boxers of All Time, Marciano was ranked #14.

Marciano holds the record with heavyweight Brian Nielsen for the longest undefeated streak by a heavyweight. He also has the record for being the only World Heavyweight Champion to go undefeated throughout his career. Willie Pep, a featherweight, had a perfect 62–0 record before he was defeated once, followed by a 72–0–1 undefeated streak. Packy McFarland was a lightweight (fighting between 1904–1915) who lost his first fight and then won his next 98, though he never won the lightweight title. Heavyweight Champion Gene Tunney never suffered a defeat at heavyweight and retired as champion, although he did lose one fight at light heavyweight.