Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 career record squares off against Ty Law’s pick-six in Super Bowl XXXVI in the second round of Boston’s Greatest Sports Moment tournament.
Paper may beat rock in playground contests of rock-paper-scissors, but no one could beat “The Rock” in the boxing ring. Rocky Marciano came out from the locker room, ducked under the ropes and stepped onto the canvas 49 times. And 49 times the Brockton, Mass., native walked away the winner. Marciano beat all challengers, including Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore. Not only that, but in 43 fights, the Brockton Blockbuster left his opponent down and out for the count on the mat. On April 27, 1956, the reigning heavyweight champion of the world — he held the title for nearly four years — announced his retirement. Now that’s what you call going out on top.
The 2001 New England Patriots made an improbable run to Super Bowl XXXVI, facing off against the heavily favored St.Louis Rams, led by MVP quarterback Kurt Warner and NFL Offensive Player of the Year Marshall Faulk. The Patriots were unable to put any points on the board through the first quarter and a half, managing a single first down on three drives. With 8:49 left in the second quarter and the Rams leading 3-0, Warner attempted a long pass to receiver Isaac Bruce. New England cornerback Ty Law picked the ball out of the air, and the speedy defensive back raced 47 yards into the end zone to give the Patriots their first score of the game, giving them momentum and a ton of belief.
Which is a greater Boston sports moment?
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