Rocky Marciano was an American professional boxer and the World Heavyweight Champion from September 23, 1952, to April 27, 1956. Marciano is the only person to hold the heavyweight title and go untied and undefeated throughout his career.

In his youth, he played baseball with his brother Sonny and David Rooslet, worked out on homemade weightlifting equipment and used a stuffed mailbag that hung from a tree in his back yard as a heavy bag.

In March 1943, Marciano was drafted into the army for a term of two years. Stationed in Swansea, Wales, he helped ferry supplies across the English Channel to Normandy. After the war ended, he completed his service in March 1946 at Fort Lewis, Washington.