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Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, January 11, 2019 ROCKY By The Old Sachem, Bill Stewart 8’s are WILD! Family Pack BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREAST Family Pack - Bone In SPLIT CHICKEN BREAT Oven Ready - Seasoned or Marinated BONELESS PORK ROASTS Shoulder LAMB CHOPS Great for Guac! AVOCADOS Land O Lakes - Sliced to Order WHITE AMERICAN CHEESE Family Pack - Center Cut BONELESS PORK CHOPS McKinnon’s Best Angus USDA PRIME TOP ROUND ROAST Whole - Frenched RACK OF LAMB Heat & Eat! CHICKEN, BROCCOLI & ZITI Russer HONEY HAM Sale Dates: Friday, Jan 11 to Thursday, Jan 17, 2019 T his is not about Rocky Balboa, it’s about the real Rocky, Rocco Francis Marchegiano, or better known as Rocky Marciano. I guess his last name was too hard to pronounce so he changed it for his career. He was born September 1, 1923, in Brockton, Mass., and died one day before his birthday on August 31, 1969, in a plane crash near Newton, Iowa. The topic came up when I recently went to Mike’s Barber Shop in the center and we were discussing topics for a column. Mike, as most people know, is a dedicated sports fan, and he really focuses on boxing. I told him I wrote about Joe Louis years ago and I needed a new topic. Mike suggested Rocky Marciano. Marciano was born and raised on the south side of Brockton, Mass., to Pierino and Pasqualina Marchegiano. Both his parents were immigrants from Italy, his father from Ripa Teatina, Abruzzo, and his mother from San Bartolomeo, Galdo, Campania. His father was a shoe factory worker. Rocky had two brothers, Louis and Peter, and three sisters: Alice, Concetta and Elizabeth. Rocky nearly died at 18 months old when he contracted pneumonia, but he pulled through. The family was often short on finances so Rocky worked many jobs as a youngster: as a dishwasher or gardener or in a candy or shoe factory. He was determined throughout his life that his mother would never experience poverty; that was his dedication. Marciano was a pretty good baseball player as a youngster, along with high school football. He dreamed of a career as a professional athlete. During these years he also worked out, boxing in his backyard. In 1943 he was drafted into the Army, and stationed in Swansea, Wales, ferrying materials over to troops in Normandy, France. He finished his service in March 1946 at Fort Louis, Washington. He took up boxing in the service because it kept him out of KP and guard duty. Rocky tried out his prowess in the amateur ring in 1946. He won 27 of his 30 AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE Are You Cold Weather Ready! OIL CHANGE SPECIAL Up to 5 Qts. of Oil (Most vehicles) Includes FREE 29 Point Inspection & Safety Check! Only $24.95 DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! CASH FOR YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV! 2010 FORD F-150 XLT 2008 MERCURY MILAN All Wheel Drive, V6, Leather Interior, Loaded, Warranty, 106K Miles COME IN FOR A TEST DRIVE! 4X4 X-Cab, V8, Auto., Most Power Options, Running Boards, One Owner, Only 98K Miles! PRICE REDUCED TO SELL! 781-321-8841 $4,500 $12,900 Easy Financing Available! 1236 Eastern Ave • Malden EddiesAutotech.com We Pay Cash For Your Vehicle! THE OLD SACHEM | SEE PAGE 8 Bill Stewart The Old Sachem fights as an amateur. In 1947 he got a chance to try out for the Chicago Cubs as a catcher in spring training, but because of an arm injury in the Army he could not throw accurately to second base. By the spring of 1948, Rocky was drawing attention in boxing circles, and by 1949, after he knocked out his first 16 opponents he was slated for stardom. He was only 190 pounds and many thought he was too small for the big time. His early fans in Brockton often travelled to his matches in Providence, R.I., and would yell “Timmmmmmberrr” when Rocky floored his opponent. He boxed in a knee squat, lowering his body to give opponents less of a target. He learned a lethal punch coming up from below with amazing power. October 28, 1951, was a night to remember for Rocky when he faced former heavyweight champion Joe Louis. Before this bout, Rocky had 37 wins and 32 KOs so he was ready for the big time. Louis was past his prime (Joe was a past champion), and Marciano knocked him out in the eighth round, defeating his early hero. He won the next five fights and his ability earned him the right to battle for the championship against the champ, Jersey Joe Walcott, in Philadelphia on September 23, 1952. Jersey Joe dominated the fight most of the way, but in the 13th round Rocky caught Joe with an overhand right to the jaw, and the champion fell – knocked out – and a new champion was established. Rocky defended his title only six times, knocking out Jersey Joe in the first round of their rematch in 1953, then he KO’d Roland La Starza later that year. In 1954 he won a decision against Ezzard Charles and almost lost his title to Charles later that year. Charles sent a savage blow to Rocky’s nose, and his corner crew had a hard time stopping the blood flow. The ring doctor inspected the damage, considered stopping the fight, but allowed it to continue. Rocky knocked out Charles in the eighth round. His next bout was Don Cock

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