MYTHICAL MATCHUP: ROCKY MARCIANO VS. JOE FRAZIER
events go smoothly, with not one single tense moment exchanged between the fighters. Such is the mutual respect between them. The great matchup is selling itself without any make-believe grudges. Marciano goes into training at Grossinger’s in the Catskills, while Frazier is at the nearby Concord Hotel. Head trainers Goldman and Durham both know how grueling this bout is going to be and take their respective fighters into an atmosphere of spartan seclusion. Durham and Eddie Futch have obtained the sparring services of David Tua, Joe Walcott and Ezzard Charles, who are being paid top dollar. Marciano is working out with Oscar Bonavena, George Chuvalo and Jerry Quarry, who have also agreed to substantial pay for giving Rocky all he can handle under the watchful eye of Goldman. Marciano is training like he is born again after being free of his old contract. The security guards at Grossinger’s entrance have the word only for today to let in Rocky’s mother and father. They made the trip out of joy after hearing from their son that he will keep everything he earns, once and for all. His mother approaches her son with tears in her eyes and embraces him, saying, “Figlio mio, cuora della mia vita” (My son, heart of my life). His father puts his arm around Rocky and tells him how proud he has been of him: “Your mind is free and you will be better than ever now.” CONCORD HOTEL: Frazier’s 10-year-old son Marvis, Eddie Futch and Yank Durham are sitting in a private room with Joe after a hard workout. Yank speaks first: “Son, there is no need now to give you any last-minute coaching. You know what kind of man you are fighting, and it’s too late for both of you to change your styles. This one is probably going 12 rounds in a phone booth, with both of you not giving an inch. I want you to hear what Eddie has to say to you.” Futch: “Joe, do the same body/head job on him you did on Chuvalo, Quarry and Bonavena, but watch yourself when you step back wide on the back foot. Remember the film I showed you of the overhand right he hit Rex Layne with? It came out of nowhere. OK, we worked on putting some speed on your right hand and left hook. Archie dropped him early with it by flashing the right in quick. Jersey Joe tagged him with the left hook early over his low right hand. Fight him in the pit, but keep stepping to the side and keep getting angles on him. Rip off those shots to the body and head, but do not drop your guard ever in this fight, just like we practiced.” Marvis Frazier: “Pop, I love you and I know you can take him. Just be ‘Smokin’ Joe’ in there as always.” He hugs his father, and then they all get up to leave. Marvis secretly signals to Futch to stay behind for a second. “Eddie, my father means
with 23 knockouts. He is the WBA and WBC heavyweight champion of the world, SMOKIN’ Joe Frazier!” The collective ovation rocks the Garden. “Introducing from the blue corner, wearing the black and gold satin trunks, weighing 195¾ pounds, and hailing from Brockton, Massachusetts. His professional record – a perfect one: 49 fights, 49 wins, with 43 by way of knockout. He is the Ring Magazine and IBF heavyweight champion of the world, Rocky Marciano!” Kelly calls the fighters and their chief seconds to center ring. “Joe, Rocky, I’ve given you the instructions in the dressing room. Obey my commands at all times, protect yourself at all times, and good luck to you both.” They return to their corners awaiting the first bell. Goldman leans into Rocky, “Keep your right glove up high at all times. Bring it right back after each punch. He is going for your eyes with the left hook.” Futch to Joe: “Angles! Watch for the overhand right. Don’t step straight back.” ROUND 1 Both men immediately clash in the center of the ring. Frazier is on the attack, bobbing and weaving, ripping short left hooks into the body and doubling up to the right side of Marciano’s head. Rocky is not hard to find. He remains in the pocket, tearing away at Joe. It is only seconds into the fight and the entire Garden is on its feet. Rocky trained on a 350-pound heavy bag and it is paying off, as he has to keep punching Frazier off of him to survive. Frazier, slightly heavier, is unable to force Rocky back, and they keep up the non-stop exchanges until the bell. Rocky’s face is already red from the left hooks. Both men were shaken during the exchanges. It’s almost impossible to score. The judges are split. COMMENTATORS: Goossen: “How the hell do you score that round?” Fernandez: “If ever there was an even round, that was it.” Scully: “I give it 10-9 Frazier for initiating the action.” ROUND 2 Rocky comes out and Frazier is right on him, immediately digging short left and right uppercuts to the body and weaving under the return fire. Marciano picks up the pace of his brutal attack; while coming out of low weaving he explodes with clubbing punches. But Frazier, unshaken, picks up his pace to match the fury. Rocky takes a very hard left hook to the side of his head and retaliates with a two-fisted attack, including a right hand that seems to shake Joe. Durham screams something to Joe from the corner, but it’s lost in the noise. Marciano pours it on again and Frazier meets
more to me than who wins. Just saying.” Futch nods. “I know, son. I know. No worries, OK?”
the arena. They all go up the stairs and into the ring. Marciano paces back and forth in his designated corner as the applause and deafening yells for both fighters continue. The excitement illuminates the entire Garden as the fight fans are delirious with anticipation of the war to come. COMMENTATORS: Scully: “This is wilder than Ali vs. Frazier, or damn close to it.” Fernandez: “This fight is boxing history itself unfolding before our eyes.” Goossen: “I can’t see this one going the distance. I only pray no one gets hurt badly.” Michael Buffer signals to the timekeeper to keep ringing the bell until the crowd quiets down. After seven pounding rings, he says: “Ladies and gentlemen! For the thousands in attendance and millions watching around the world, LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE! Twelve rounds of boxing for the heavyweight championship of the world. The three judges scoring this fight are Harold Lederman, Steve Weisfeld and John McKaie, and the man in charge of the ring is Wayne Kelly. “Introducing from the red corner, wearing the green and gold satin trunks, weighing 205 pounds, and hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This Olympic gold medal winner has an undefeated professional record of 27 wins, no losses
FIGHT NIGHT AT THE GARDEN: The Garden has been sold out for over a month. At the weigh-in the day before, Marciano came in at 195¾ pounds and Frazier weighed in at 205 pounds even. The commentators for the broadcast are John “Iceman” Scully, Bernard Fernandez and Joe Goossen. The prelims are over. Amid a dazzling light show, the focus is on the aisle leading from Frazier’s dressing room. He comes down the aisle sandwiched between Durham, Futch, Bailey and cutman Jacob “Stitch” Duran. Frazier is jogging toward the ring, wearing a green velvet hooded robe. The crowd is already in a frenzy as James Brown’s “Living in America” fills the arena. He goes up the ring stairs as Marvis takes a ringside seat. People are screaming, “IT’S ON, JOE! IT’S ON!” Frazier allows himself a small smile and keeps bouncing to the rhythm. Goldman, carrying a bucket, comes out next with Marciano behind him. Rocky is wearing his navy blue hooded robe hiding his face as he comes down the aisle. Bimstein follows with Colombo and Ferrera as AC/DC’s “T.N.T.” is blasting through
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