By: Tony Penecale
"The Brockton Blockbuster" Rocky Marciano has come home to Brockton. In front of an enthusiastic audience at the appropriately-named Rocky Marciano Stadium, a statue was dedicated on the 60th anniversary of Marciano's title-winning bout against Jersey Joe Walcott. The statue was breathtaking, a massive 22 feet tall, depicting Rocky throwing his famous "Suzie-Q" right hand--the very punch he used to wrest the title from Walcott.
The event drew a number of boxing dignitaries, who joined Brockton Mayor Linda Balzotti and members of the Marciano family for the dedication. Guests included WBC President Jose Sulaiman (who was instrumental in getting this project funded), promoters Jimmy Burchfield Sr. and Don King, legendary trainer and Rocky's close friend Lou Duva, and a plethora of world champions and contenders such as Tony Demarco, John Ruiz, John Scully, Micky Ward, Vito Antuofermo, Vinny Paz, and Larry Holmes.
The ceremony, only scheduled to last approximately one hour, stretched over two hours long with the crowd sometimes groaning at the continued delays. There was a real anticipation to see the bronze beauty unveiled, and the speakers were asked to keep their addresses to only one or two minutes. That was nearly impossible when the loquacious Don King took the microphone. King mentioned how Rocky never discriminated and no matter their skin color, he would knock them out all the same. He also mentioned Rocky's incredible spirit, citing his second bout with Ezzard Charles. In their first meeting, Rocky was unable to floor the former champion, winning by a very close decision. Charles was offered a rematch and during the course of the action, he split Rocky's nose in half. As the referee was preparing to stop the fight and award Charles the victory, Rocky asked for one more round. In that one round, Rocky saved his title by knocking Charles out.
If someone said back in 1985 that Larry Holmes would be giving a speech in Brockton, there's no doubt he would have needed an army of armed guards. Holmes, who at one time was Public Enemy #1 in Brockton for suggesting Marciano couldn't carry his jock strap, proved that time does indeed heal all wounds and that forgiveness is a very real and powerful thing. He was greeted warmly and responded with a humorous and charismatic speech that had the crowded alternating between laughter and cheers. Afterwards he followed through with his promise to meet many of the people at a public reception and continued entertaining with his singing.
Jose Sulaiman, President of the WBC, who was instrumental in getting the funding for this project, talked about how the weather cooperated perfectly. Rainstorms soaked the east coast the previous day, as Sulaiman noted it was simply God cleansing the ground for the ceremony. With the grounds cleansed, he spoke of the beautiful autumn day God gave for the event: a bright blue and cloudless sky framing the scene for history.
Perhaps the most poignant speech came from Rocky's youngest brother, Peter Marciano, who was 11 years old when his famous older brother won the title. He spoke of sitting ringside at the Walcott fight and the moment it was over, how Rocky's close friend and confidant Allie Colombo entered the ring to embrace the new champion. He said during the embrace they each whispered something to each other and he always wanted to know what was said. He finally came to the conclusion that these two local Brockton kids simply said "We did it".
It was a humbling experience to be there in person. I always tell the story how my grandfather, the original Tony Penecale, and my great uncle Ed Grasso Sr, sat me down at a young age to tell me the story of the great Rocky Marciano. I was about 6 at the time and since Rocky III had just been released, I got confused and mentioned how he just beat Clubber Lang. I was smacked in the back of the head and told that I "watch too much of that movie bulls**t". They told me how great Rocky was and that nobody ever beat him. Both of these man sadly passed away only about a year or two after their lecture, and even though they have both been gone for nearly 30 years, don't ever expect me to say that anybody could beat Rocky. Not Ali, not Tyson, not King Kong, not even Jesus himself. They both may be gone now, but I have a feeling they would send down a few smacks to the head if I ever said otherwise.
Uncle Eddie had attended the fight in Philadelphia, September 23 1952 when Rocky knocked out Jersey Joe Walcott to win the heavyweight championship. He spoke about it reverently and always said the knockout punch sounded like a shotgun blast went off in the arena. Years later, I was boxing at a card at SUNY-Westchester in Valhalla, New York. My father was there along with Uncle Eddie's son, Ed Jr (Uncle Duke). Uncle Duke brought with him one of his late father's most prized possessions, the original program and ticket stub from that famous fight in Philadelphia, and presented it to me after my bout. He also gave me newspaper clippings that his father kept from Marciano's title defenses against Walcott and Ezzard Charles. These items have been framed and currently hang in my basement gym.
One of my favorite jokes is when I show the program to anybody who comes into my gym, I mention that I was there in person. When they respond with a doubting or quizzical look, I just state that "I aged very well".
My grandfather and great uncle may be gone physically but I could feel their spirit with me on Sunday. It was a good feeling, especially for a kid growing up who "watched too much of that movie bulls**t".
