Rocky Marciano :: essays research papers

On Sept. 1, 1923 Mr. and Mrs. Pierino Marchegiano of Brockton, MA became the proud parents of a lively twelve pound child boy. The child was named Rocco Marchegiano, but the world would one day know him as the legendary boxer Rocky Marciano. When "bambino Rocco" was 18 months of age, he contracted pneumonia. Although the transmittal nearly killed him, his exception on the wholey strong constitution enabled him to survive without impairment. As a pre-teenager, Rocky relished his mothers Italian cooking so much he bordered on being stocky. This was underscored by his relatively short but muscular arms and legs. However, even at this young age, his overall bearing suggested exceptional physical strength.throughout his teenage years, Rocky took great advantage of living across the street from the James Edgar Playground, where he especially enjoyed playing baseball. It was during this period that he began the habit of use to his limit." after spending countless hours hittin g and chasing after baseballs, he would often go home and do chinups and lift homemade weights until he was totally fatigued." After supper, "Rocky and his pals often spent hours pummelling a stuffed mail sack that hung from an oak tree in the Marchegianos back yard....In hot weather, they usually finished their workouts by rush over to Saxtons Spring to get a cold drink of water." Unfortunately, Rockys experience of growing up in a multi-ethnic, working-class setting contributed to his involvement in a number of "altercations." Although most were territorial battles that took place at James Edgar Field, some occurred well beyond.... Even prior to his teenage years, Rockys reputation for being a "really tough Italian kid" extended all the way over to the Bush, Brocktons Irish section. However, by the time he was 14, Rockys notoriety as a baseball slugger began to overtake his reputation as a slugger with his fists. The legend of his athletic prowess began at age 15 when, as cleanup position batter on the local American Legion team, he blasted a towering home run over the left field smother at James Edgar Playground. It landed on the front porch of a slightly irate neighbor. At age 15, Rocky entered Brockton High School - an institution with a nationally prestigious football tradition. Error Bookmark not defined. Rockys favorite subjects were Italian and Manual Training. And, except for a rather erratic scholastic record, all went reasonably well for him - at first.