May 15, 1953 – Legendary boxer Rocky Marciano stepped into the ring in defense of his world heavyweight title for the first time in Chicago Stadium. This real Rocky took on former Champ Jersey Joe Walcott and it was no competition for the belt holder.
Marciano knocked Jersey Joe onto his keister, and the confused Walcott sat there as the referee did the count. The fight was over by Knock Out just after 2:25 in the first round. Many fight experts that witnessed the march said the Champ came out with much faster combinations and more energy than they had seen him in past fights.
Marciano remains the only boxer to have defeated every opponent he ever faced for the world heavyweight title, and holds the highest knockout-to-win ratio in world heavyweight title fights.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
Sports History On This Day: April 12
There are a couple of historic firsts in sports that occurred on this date.
The Incredible Rookie Class of the 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers
This episode of Pro Football in the 1970s is dedicated to the late Frank
Sports History On This Day: April 11
April 11, 1936 – The Detroit Red Wings won their first-ever Stanley Cup. The final
Where Is He? The Disappearance of Avatus Stone
This episode of “When Football Was Football” is indeed a special one. Although it
Remembering the Astrodome (The Eight Wonder of the World)
Once it was the iconic symbol of Houston. Dubbed “The Eighth Wonder of the
Sports History On This Day: April 10
April 10, 1947 – Major Historic Sports Event Here! Jackie Robinson, famously put his name in ink
Sports History On This Day: April 9
April 9, 1912 – The legendary Fenway Park has what many consider the first somewhat
Sports History On This Day: April 8
April 8 NFL Drafts We have had a few NFL Drafts take place on