69 years ago
Rocky Marciano vs Archie Moore
Date: 21st September 1955
Venue: Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York
Title: World Heavyweight Title
Promoter: International Boxing Club
Tv: Theatre Television
Rocky Marciano
(
48
-
0
-
0
)
Weight: 188ΒΌ lbs
Archie Moore
(
149
-
19
-
8
)
Weight: 188 lbs
On the 21st of September, 1955 at Yankee Stadium, World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano defended his title for the 6th time, facing off against the reigning World Light Heavyweight Champion, Archie Moore. The match, which had been postponed by 24 hours due to Hurricane Ione, drew an audience, of 61,574 spectators to the stadium and an additional 320,000 fans watching via Theatre Network Television from 129 locations in 92 cities.
Despite being a four-to-one favorite, Marciano's path to victory was not devoid of challenge. The Massachusetts native, aged 32, with a record of 48-0-0, found himself floored in the second round by a potent right hand from the 39-year-old Moore, whose record stood at 120-19-5 with 82 KOs. However, demonstrating a resilience that echoed his undefeated record, Marciano swiftly bounced back.
Following the knockdown in the second round, Marciano regrouped and returned stronger. Moore, hailing from San Diego, California, but originally from Benoit, Mississippi, had entered the fight weighing 188 pounds, nearly equal to Marciano's 188¼ pounds, with the ambition of becoming the first reigning World Light Heavyweight Champion to win the World Heavyweight Championship. However, Marciano had other plans.
The tides of the fight began to shift, as the Brockton Blockbuster went on to floor Moore three times. While one knockdown was ruled as a slip, Marciano continued to hammer his opponent relentlessly. The fight's decisive moment came in the ninth round when Marciano sent Moore crashing onto the canvas with a devastating blow, securing a knockout victory at 1:19 in the round.
Financially, the fight was a resounding success, drawing gross gate receipts of $948,117.95, netting $820,935.20. The broadcast over the radio added another $35,000 to the revenue. The fighters' shares were sizable; Marciano pocketed $482,374 while Moore took home $241,187.
The fight marked a significant moment in boxing history. Rocky Marciano, having defended his title on six occasions and taking his tally to a remarkable 49-0 with 43 KOs, announced his retirement from boxing.
Rocky Marciano vs Archie Moore on YouTube
