BoxRec

Just been reading through his record out of interest, as I know he retired undefeated. I just wondered if anyone knows the reasons behind him retiring when he did?

I ask because, in contrast to many fighters today, it looks like he retired on the top of his game having last beaten Archie Moore by stoppage. Was Marciano injured? made enough money and called it day? too old?

Been reading up on Wikipedia too, but it says very little about his retirement.

Manager ripping him off, bad back (which I have currently you can fight fine but you can't plant your feet and swing as brutally so you go for accumulation rather than powerpunching - Ive had to switch to southpaw as the other side of my back doesnt hurt), and the fact he was probably on the decline with some youngish prospects on the way up, and the fact despite winning he took allot of punnishment.

Now comes the what if, Patterson/Liston/Williams/ fights came off

As already said Marciano retired for a number of reasons first he got tired of being ripped off by his manager Al Weill who was rumoured to have Mob connections.

Marciano also developed back problems which was starting to effect his performances.

Also Marciano may well have been the hardest and most dedicated trainer of all the Heavyweight Champions and his training camps were often over ten weeks long per fight and he just got to a stage in his life were he felt he could not give it 100%, so quit.

Rocky Marciano almost made a comeback in 1959 to fight the then champion Ingemar Johansson. But after spending a few weeks in training camp thought better of it.

Thanks guys