Quote Originally Posted by Master View Post
It is a shame that Rocky had to retire because of a horrible contract that he was in. That would be such a shame.

I hate it when fighters end up like this especially when they are in the peak of their career like Bradley and Gamboa. Wasted years that you can never get back.

agreed. I thnk a contract-free Marciano fights on.

Come on he was only 32 years old and 21 days when he fought Moore in Sept 55.
He took the cruise to South America and his old lady started bitching that that was enough, etc.
I say he woulda been itchin for a fight by that Summer say June 56 and woulda got it with Nino Valdez from Florida who was really a great fighter. I say it woulda been a slugfest with Rocky KOing Valdez in about 6. Then after resting maybe 4 more months (he knew his time was short and had only 1 more good fight left in him) he woulda taken on Floyd patterson about October 1956---unfortunately for Floyd as he may have hurt Rocky early with that lightning left hook, but as Rocky staggers a bit and throws a wild right which misses Floyd, the breeze from the Rock's missed punch KOs patterson right there and they bring in the medic. Rocky retires 51-0 with 45 KOs in January 1957.