The Greatest Italian-Americans in Boxing History
Italians have gained great notoriety and fame in the boxing ring. In fact, three of the most famous boxing movies were biographies of Italians: Rocky Graziano (Somebody Up There Likes Me), Jake LaMotta (Raging Bull), and Rocky Balboa (Rocky). OK, that last one was fiction, but here is a short list of famous paisanos who held world championships.
Rocky Marciano
Primo Carnera
Tony Galento
Rocky Graziano
Jake LaMotta
Carmen Basilio
Nino Benvenuti
Jimmy “White” Amato
Marty Servo
Tony DeMarco
Ray Mancini
Arturo Gatti
Willie Pep
The Greatest of them all!
Rocky Marciano (September 1, 1923 – August 31, 1969), was the heavyweight champion of the world from 1952 to 1956. Marciano, 49-0 with forty-three knockouts to his credit (87.8% knockout rate), remains the only heavyweight champion in boxing history to retire undefeated, having won every fight in his professional career.