Rocky Marciano vs. Ezzard Charles 'I' ~ June 17, 1954

[Bill Paxtom]

June 17, 1954

Rocky Marciano - 45-0-0 {40 KO's} ~ 5' 10 1/2" ~ Reach; 68" ~ 187 lbs. ~ {Age; 30 years, 9 months}
vs.
Ezzard Charles - 85-10-1 {48 KO's} ~ 6' 0" ~ Reach; 73" ~ 185 lbs. ~ {Age; 32 years, 10 months}

~ The Skinny ~

Rocky Marciano

{Age; 30 years, 9 months} was already suffering from lower-back pain, and there were talks that he might retire.

Rocky had last defended his Championship 9-Months earlier {September 24, 1953} when he stopped {TKO 11}
classy-boxer Roland LaStarza.

While Rocky could still fire 'The Hammer', he was slowing down in movement, and the lower-back was really taking
its toll now.