Unbeaten: Rocky Marciano's Fight for Perfection in a Crooked World

by Mike Stanton

From the bestselling author of The Prince of Providence , a revelatory biography of Rocky Marciano, the greatest heavyweight champion of all time.

The son of poor Italian immigrants, with short arms and stubby legs, Rocky Marciano accomplished a feat that eluded legendary heavyweight champions like Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey, Muhammad Ali, and Mike He never lost a professional fight. His record was a perfect 49-0.

Unbeaten is the story of this remarkable champion who overcame injury, doubt, and the schemes of corrupt promoters to win the title in a bloody and epic battle with Jersey Joe Walcott in 1952. Rocky packed a devastating punch with an innocent nickname, “Suzie Q,” against which there was no defense. As the champ, he came to know presidents and movie stars – and the organized crime figures who dominated the sport, much to his growing disgust. He may have “stood out in boxing like a rose in a garbage dump,” as one sportswriter said, but he also fought his own private demons.

In the hands of the award-winning journalist and biographer Mike Stanton, Unbeaten is more than just a boxing story. It’s a classic American tale of immigrant dreams, exceptional talent wedded to exceptional ambitions, compromises in the service of a greater good, astounding success, disillusionment, and a quest to discover what it all meant. Like Suzie Q, it will knock you off your feet.

Genres: Sports, Biography, Nonfiction, American History, Martial Arts

400 pages, Hardcover

First published June 26, 2018

Reviews

[Steve Donoghue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A superb, energetic biography - and a thrilling account of the boxing matches themselves! Here's my full review:
https://openlettersreview.com/open-le...

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating is exclusively personal and should not be construed as an assessment of this book's value as a biography. I'm incapable of rating biographies because i pretty much never read them. They tend to leave me cold because they are mere collections of facts (paraphrasing a fellow goodreadster's review of this book).

This book collects and organizes myriad events from and facts about Rocky Marciano's life. That might be enough for most. It was just enough for me to read the whole thing.

I wonder how biographers of the men who lost to Marciano would describe those fights. I'm semi-committed to reading Eig's recent bio of Ali, so maybe i'll actually look for similar works about Ezzard Charles, Jersey Joe Walcott, Joe Louis and Archie Moore.

Thanks for the donation, Andy.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think if you are into boxing or the history of boxing or sports then this is a book for you. For me this was right up my alley. No I had never seen Rocky fight other than a few old black and white films at times, but I grew up with a dad that was into boxing. His generation boxing was a sport a way of life and every Friday night I would sit with him and we would watch any fight that would come on. This book reminded me of those times. The author takes you through his years growing up and then how he got into boxing and into professionally boxing late. He will take you through each fight and the cast of characters behind the man. Some good and some not so good. Did Rocky know the difference who knows all he wanted to do is fight, box and the rest he just felt at times that he was taken advantage of by some people who said that they were looking out for him. A book that has its moments of happiness when he wins but also sadness even after he wins and of course after the plane crash. Overall this book was everything that I was expecting and a little more, a good book. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

[Lance · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book covering the life and career of Rocky Marciano is informative and rich in detail, this very attention to detail made it a tough one for me to read. I found myself going back to try to connect my current page to what was being written previously. It's a good book for boxing historians and researchers but for a casual fan just wanting to learn a little more on the legend that is Marcianao, it bogs down in too many spot. I'll give it three stars as it may be good for some readers, but I am not one of them.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent biography of Marciano with emphasis on his unbeaten string—an unbelievable record in sports. Details his entire life in the context of the times. Argument can be made based on this book that Marciano was the greatest of all time. Well written, fast paced and with information I hadn’t come across before. Recommended.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific bio. Not just Rocky's life story, but a "life and times" look at boxing, immigration, the Mafia, and American culture in the 40s and 50s. Highly recommend

[Robert M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read about an amazing athlete!

[Umar Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stanton has written a comprehensive biography of boxing legend Rocky Marciano from his family background to his death. I found this an enjoyable read.

[Garry Ragan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent bio of a great boxer. It's an honest and unvarnished look at the life and career of the only heavyweight to retire undefeated.

[Jack Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated the historical perspective and thought the chronology was cool to follow. It made me feel like I was a part of the process. The fight descriptions were superb. Any fight fan will love this book.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

Painful to read. Lots of details, but written like bullet points. Just not interested in Rocky enough to read past the first 5 chapters.

[Joseph Hirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a near-perfect or maybe perfect biography of the late Rocky Marciano, a boxer whose crude-but-effective style, brutal punching power, and limitless workrate makes him a continued source of fascination among boxing fans more than half a century after his reign, and almost as long since his death. Rocky's easy, genteel manner outside of the ring was at odds with the ferocious brute people paid good money to see slaughter more finessed boxers in Madison Square Garden, but something about the contrasts and contradictions made the man embody his era, the way earlier fighters like Jack Dempsey embodied the tramping, restless energy of the Depression, or a later fighter like Mike Tyson was the darkened mirror obverse of the Reagan years, the consequences of the Great Society gone bust and exploding in the Crack Boom. "The Rock" was a working class hero when the American working-class was doing as well as it ever would, a son of immigrants who stressed the "American" half of the "Italian-American" label.

Mike Stanton's book is straightforward, entertaining, and gets both the broad strokes and the details right. Mr. Stanton is an excellent writer with a flair when it's called for (especially when doing blow-by-blow recounting fights), who also knows how to get out of the way and let his subject remain center-stage when that's what's needed.

The author gets the man and the myth right, neither shying away from Rocky's shadowy side nor lingering on the darkness too long. This isn't "Raging Bull," and it's not Stanton's intent to bury Caesar, but neither does the biographer shy away from stains on either the soul or the official record (49-0) of the "Brockton Blockbuster."

This deft handling is probably best encapsulated in the stories (legendary now) of Rocky's supposed ability to pinch a penny until it unwound into copper wire. I remember reading years ago in the bio of George Chuvalo, for instance (a perennial heavyweight contender) how Rocky offered to manage him early in his career in exchange for ninety-percent (!) of the fighter's purses. The Rock's act seemed unconscionable to me before reading "Unbeaten." Now, in context and in hindsight, I can't say I blame the Boy from Brockton for his ultra-frugal ways. A book that can correct such misconceptions is worth recommending. A book that does it with such style and (seeming) effortlessness is quite rare. Highest recommendation.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific book, I had no idea of Rocky's "fiftieth fight", the Super Fight with Ali. And then to see how it inspired Sylvester Stallone's movie 6 years later was pretty cool.
This was a tremendous book. The author did a great job of outlining Rocky's youth and family life and his early obscure fights and later rise to fame. I felt like the whole era of the 40's and 50's was brought to life.

[Emily Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best

Just read this. It's so so great. I love boxing but knew so little about Rocky Marciano! I cried numerous times while reading this book. I laughed, I was nervous, I could not out it down. I could not recommend it more highly. Ten stars.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched and an easy, quick read. Very comprehensive.

[RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “I WAS A NOBODY,” HE SAID. “IN THE RING, I BECAME A SOMEBODY.”
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I have been a fight fan for over fifty-years. I started watching fights as a child on TV with my Dad… and then I went to fights with my Dad as a teenager… I went into the military and did some fighting there… I got out of the service… went to fights… had a son… and watched fights with him on TV… and then… (And still do) take him to the fights. I have read many… many… boxing books in my life… but this is one of the greatest all-around boxing books I have ever read!

It has been my experience that most historical boxing books are written as if they were simply copying “play by play” from either an old sports section… or many actually come across as if they’re copied from an old tickertape printout. Most are written by sportswriters (no offense…. I read their work every day of my life) who either put their subject in a room and tape and convert their comments… or simply pound out a story like they’re meeting their weekly deadline. This book by Mike Stanton… is written by a real literary talent… so the reader is blessed with being able to be engulfed simultaneously with a story of the Rocky Marciano… the only undefeated Heavyweight Champion in the world… with all the statistics and accomplishments attached to this once in the world… people’s true undefeated champion… but at the same time… savvy readers… get the added bonus of thoroughly enjoying the written word as it was meant to be… but not often… presented… wrapped and immersed in a classic boxing story.

Rocky’s entire hard scrabble life is brought to you… so you can truly understand… grasp… and feel… what made Rocky… Rocky. The hardworking Italian immigrants… the loving… protective Mother… the siblings… and the neighborhood friends… some of whom were by Rocky’s side his entire life. One of the great sub-plots of the story… is how the entire hometown of Brockton, Massachusetts… supported Marciano… both with their love and pride… and many of their paychecks… many betting every single fight of Rocky’s career. Some “pressed”…. bet after bet… and actually bought houses they could never have afforded… without taking the chance and constantly betting on every fight of their hometown hero.

The author pulls no punches (Like Rocky!)… And uncovers and reports the good with the bad. As much as I knew about Marciano… I was surprised about Rocky’s trouble in the military during World War II. I never knew about his court martial and serving time for assault and robbery. Great reporting… and happily… Rocky came out better for it on the other side. Rocky’s love of baseball… and his earliest dreams was of being a Major League ballplayer. He actually went to a couple of big league tryout camps. And as every true boxing fan knows… despite the so called experts saying Rocky was too short… his arms too short… his legs too fat… and his speed too slow… Rocky became a legend that will live on forever. FORTY-NINE-FIGHTS… FORTY-THREE-KNOCKOUTS. His fights in the ring were the most visible fights… but he was constantly battling a crooked manager… and the mob that was running boxing at the time.

Mike Stanton the author shows the ability to use his prose to get to your heart… soul… or gut… in every imaginable way and situation. The very opening sentence in the book… grabs you like it was created by either Ernest Hemingway… or Jim Murray…. “HE DIED WITH THE BLUNT FORCE HE HAD USED TO DISPATCH SO MANY OPPONENTS IN THE RING—SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY, IN A CORNFIELD IN THE MIDDLE OF AMERICA, THE MONTH AFTER MAN FIRST WALKED ON THE MOON.”

He is just as eloquent when describing the absolute savagery that erupted immediately… or over time… in so many of his fights. Whether it was against Jersey Joe Walcott… Ezzard Charles… or Archie Moore… the gushing blood… broken and split noses… ballooning eyes… and mouths that combined both… the many broken bones… and the deep down… internal… pride… that makes a champion continue to fight on… despite the odds… the pain… the blood… and other seen and unseen obstacles… it’s also about Rocky crying after he crushed his childhood idol… Joe Louis… or when he went to church and prayed when he almost killed Carmine Vingo in the ring. The writer continues to write… and the reader continues to feel. Just as Rocky continued to throw brutal combinations with his “SUZIE-Q” terminator destroying his opponents… the author never lets up with his combinations of “feelings-facts-and-prose”… this book is a **KNOCKOUT**!

[Karson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd go three and a half jammers on this one if I could.

Rocky Marciano was the 49-0 undefeated heavyweight champ. He reigned in the 1950's and he was "The Great White Hope" that was an answer to Joe Louis (The Brown Bomber). It is really strange how much race has played a part in the history of boxing. A lot of times, certain demographics perceive a champion from their "tribe" is fighting personally for them. I guess this is understandable.

Anyways, Rocky grew up poor in Brockton, MA to Italian-American immigrant parents. His father dealt with residual health issues as a result of his time in the service. Rocky ended up dropping out of high school and working odd jobs to help his family financially. After his (shortened) high school years, Marciano went into the service but would eventually get discharged for assault. He picked up boxing while in the service and stuck with it afterward.

Like many boxers, Rocky was surrounded by WISE-GUYS EH? Mob kinda guys. You know what I mean? He tragically died in a small engine plane crash at the age of 46 well after his boxing reign. His work ethic, chin, heart, stamina and punching power made up for his raw technique (which improved greatly over his boxing career). I was happy to learn a bit more about Rocky's life in detail. The story was a little dry - that's why I would give it the 3.5 jammer, but it was a pleasant read.

[Writemoves · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I knew about Rocky Marciano before I read the book was that he retired as an undefeated Heavyweight Champion. I did not know about his conduct during World War that got him locked up in jail. I did not know of the mob's influence in his career. I did not realize that his list of opponents while he was champion were of dubious quality, boxers who were on the way down like Joe Louis, Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott. Marciano retired right before he would have had to fight the likes of Cassius Clay, Sonny Liston and Floyd Patterson to name a few.

Marciano died relatively young in a plane crash. He was not a good businessperson and was lousy with investing and saving money. Marciano succumbed to the good life after boxing and hung around with Frank Sinatra and a number of "made guys."

He's not a very sympathetic figure. Again his boxing record is offset by the relatively low level of his opponents. Good book though...

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book on what many believe was the greatest heavyweight champion boxer in the world is an extremely interesting and well written book. The son of poor Italian immigrants rose to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world through hard work and determination. He had no other job prospects growing up dirt poor so he turned to fighting and then boxing. Finishing his career 49-0 with 43 knockouts he left on top of the world. Unfortunately Rocky Marciano was killed in a single engine airplane crash just 1 day before his 46th birthday. Rocky was larger than life and he lived life in the same way. "I was a nobody," he said. In the ring, I became a somebody." This is a book worth reading. I would have given it a higher rating if it was someone who had a larger impact on life.

[Dan Shonka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a youngster when Marciano retired. My dad was a big boxing fan, and he told me often how Marciano was the only undefeated heavyweight champion. So, I found this well-written book very interesting. I had an idea how the mob controlled a lot of boxing, but I had no idea how MUCH they controlled it. That said the book lays out at least a couple bouts where Marciano's victory was questionable. However, Rocky was the American underdog dream. . . always undersized, unconventional, crude style, but powerful and relentless.

And tragic.

Sports fans will enjoy this book, and of course boxing fans. Others who are repulsed by the violence of boxing, know that even the retired Marciano recognized the brutal and uncivilized nature of the sport. And he acknowledged the eventual demise of the sport.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as a gift from an in-law 15+ years ago and never read it (who reads books they get as gifts?). For some reason, it nagged at me and I was determined to actually read it. To my surprise it was completely absorbing and a page-turner in parts. The writer's vivid prose made Marciano's times come alive- especially the fights. It was also a book that did not whitewash the douchebaggery that emerged from its subject when he became famous. Also his connections to the mob and the assistance they may have provided him during his journey to a perfect fight record. While admiring, this isn't a hagiography.
I have almost zero interesr in boxing especially boxing history, but I loved this book.

[Mario · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initially I found this quite a slog to get through. The first third of the book or so, I felt there was a lot of description and the only reason I kept going was because of all boxing's great icons, I knew the least about Rocky Marciano. The previous book I read was about Muhammad Ali and maybe Rocky and his life suffered in comparison to Ali's and his larger than life persona.

I preferred the book as it went on when Rocky's fights and fame got bigger and learned about his life after retirement. I'm not sure I'd recommend this book to a casual observer but it's fine for a boxing fan or historian who wants to learn about Marciano.

[Brett Van Gaasbeek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not know a great deal about Marciano before reading the book. The details the author provides are very specific and interesting. It takes awhile for the book to get going, but once the reader makes it to his steady climb to the top of the boxing world, the book moves along a a decent clip. The only issue I had with the reading is the constant interruption of the story to provide unnecessary details that I think the author found intriguing and felt the need to utilize, but seem to slow down the book. IF you are a fan of boxing at all, this book would be a good one to read. If you have no interest in the sport, this book might be a tad tedious for you.

[Jim Castine · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a boxing fan, I loved this book. It changed my opinion of rocky as a boxer and as a person, then it changed my opinion again in the second half. I'm not familiar with the author's other works, but he wrote this in the tone of a reporter from that era, like a narrator over one of those old news reels before the movie starts. Added a nice touch to a book that was very heavy in mob related activities.
If you're not a boxing fan, you may not enjoy it as much. The fights were heavily detailed, almost play by plays, and there were names thrown in that I knew because I follow the sport, but I'm not sure a "casual" would pick up on.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting biography of a fascinatingly conflicted champ. The biographer inundated the reader with excessive detail for my taste, but the story is rich in nuances of the challenge of Marciano pursuing prize fighting in the era of mob control, trying to maintain independence and personal values, sort of. His tragic death may have stolen from him the opportunity to more fully show the finer side of his character to his fans. However, his story didn't budge my critical opinion of prize fighting. In fact, Rocky observed that it was an uncivilized sport that would likely not be tolerated by society in the future.

[Mark Holencik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always like reading the events that happened in a persons life that molds them. These events in Rocky's life is why he was able to rise to Heavy Weight Champion of the World and retire undefeated. Rocky fought in a sport controlled by the Mafia and retired undefeated and stay retired and keep his self respect is no small feat.
The comments on Rocky's ability before people fought him and then after he hit them and beat them were great. The power in his punches kept him undefeated till he could learn to box.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike has taken a page of history and unfolded it into our living rooms. Rocco is a piece of american, Italian, and heck, world history. From a back alley brawler to an undefeated heavyweight. Rocky Marciano burst into the division with a thunderous right straight called the Suzi'Q. But what makes this novel worth the read, is the detail with which Mike uncovers the gritty connective dots that made Rocco who he was. He was a gritty, blue collar, heart-filled man with a penchant for getting into a bit of trouble. Thank you Mike for this book.

[Patrick Macke · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a classic, nostalgic story of a commoner rising to royalty ... like the fighter, the story is written in a nuts-and-bolts, brown-paper-bag style, yet it still celebrates a time and a place and an era in sports that can never happen again ... when you hear the name Rocky, in virtually any context, you see the face of Marciano and it shall forever stand for blue-collar ethics, a right hook named Suzie Q and "champion"

[Hezekiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read about an unorthodox champ who wanted a better life. He was a simplified yet complex figure who's boxing changed the life of his family and community. He was the life blood of Brockton, MA and the rebirth of a dying sport. While he wasn't perfect in life, he was perfect in the ring and a model citizen. This is a good book for anyone who wants to learn more about boxing and how a heavyweight champion is not born but made.

[Jason McCracken · Rating 4 out of 5]

A genuinely interesting look at Marciano's life. Luckily he retired early and died youngish whilst he still had money so it doesn't descend into the depressing misery that most boxers lives become. One criticism is that it maybe sugarcoats his ties with the mob a little, although at least it never actually hides them.

It's not really a book for the casual boxing fan, it's aimed more at sad losers like me that have watched way more of the sport than is probably healthy :-)