Rocky Marciano squares off against Johnny Pesky in the first round of Boston’s Biggest Sports Legend tournament.
Rocky Marciano never lost inside the ring. Not once. With a 49-0 record and 43 knockouts to his name, Marciano is a proud member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. The former heavyweight champion of the world is the owner of the longest undefeated streak by a heavyweight and the only heavyweight to go undefeated throughout his entire career. Marciano is one of only a few boxers in history to retire without a defeat and was knocked to the canvas just twice in his career. Named fighter of the year by Ring Magazine three times, his three championships fights from 1952 to 1954 were named fights of the year, and he received the Hickok Belt as the top professional athlete of the year in 1952. The Brockton, Mass., native is set to be commemorated with a bronze statue in his hometown.
Johnny Pesky has had the pleasure of wearing a Red Sox uniform in each of the past eight decades. Known to some as Mr. Red Sox, Pesky has been a part of the organization in nearly every role imaginable since joining the Red Sox in 1942 as a 22-year-old shortstop. An Oregon native, Pesky fell just short of having Hall of Fame qualifications, partly because he missed three full seasons to serve in the Navy during World War II. With a career average of .307, Pesky led the league in hits three times (1942, 1946, 1957). Since his playing career ended, Pesky has served as the Red Sox’ manager, color commentator, batting coach, bench coach, assistant to the general manager and special instructor. His number became just the sixth to be retired by the Red Sox, but Pesky is the only Red Sox player not in the Baseball Hall of Fame to receive that honor.
« 5. Tedy Bruschi vs. 12. Bobby Doerr | 7. Doug Flutie vs. 10. K.C. Jones »
