On September 24, 1953, boxing fans witnessed a highly anticipated rematch for the undisputed heavyweight championship between Rocky Marciano and Roland La Starza. This bout was not just another title defense for Marciano; it was a second encounter with an opponent who had pushed him to his limits in their first meeting. The fight took place at New York's Polo Grounds, drawing significant attention as both fighters had continued to build impressive
careers since their initial, controversial clash in 1950. The stakes were incredibly high, with Marciano defending his world heavyweight title against a determined La Starza, who had earned his shot through a title eliminator.
The Road to the Rematch
Their first fight in 1950 was a competitive 10-round bout that Marciano won by a split decision, a result many considered controversial. Following this initial encounter, both boxers continued to ascend in the heavyweight ranks. Rocky Marciano, known as "The Brockton Blockbuster," amassed an undefeated pre-fight record of 44 wins with 39 knockouts. He had secured knockout victories over several top contenders, including former champion Joe Louis, before ultimately claiming the world heavyweight title from Jersey Joe Walcott in 1952. Marciano was 30 years old at the time of the rematch, standing 5 ft 10 in and weighing 185 lb.
Roland La Starza, nicknamed "The Bronx Express," also built a formidable record, entering the rematch with 53 wins, 3 losses, and 24 knockouts. He was 26 years and 4 months old, taller than Marciano at 6 ft 0 in, and weighed 184.75 lb. La Starza was ranked as the NBA No. 3 and The Ring No. 7 ranked heavyweight, demonstrating his status as a top contender. His journey to the rematch included avenging losses to Dan Bucceroni and Rocky Jones and winning a heavyweight title eliminator against Rex Layne in early 1953, solidifying his claim for another shot at Marciano.
The Fight Unfolds
The rematch itself was a grueling contest. La Starza began the fight effectively, employing clever boxing tactics and often retreating from Marciano's relentless pressure. He skillfully clinched when Marciano got too close, attempting to control the pace. Marciano, on the other hand, started somewhat awkwardly, frequently missing punches as he aggressively sought an early knockout. There were suggestions that Marciano might have been suffering from ring rust, having only fought one professional round in the entire year leading up to this championship bout. La Starza also made several complaints about Marciano fouling, leading to Marciano losing the sixth round due to these infractions.
However, as the fight progressed into the middle rounds, the momentum began to shift decisively in Marciano's favor. The champion's constant pressure and powerful blows started to wear down La Starza. Marciano landed heavy punches to La Starza's head, body, and even his arms, making it increasingly difficult for the challenger to defend himself effectively. By the tenth round, La Starza was visibly beaten, spitting blood and sporting several cuts on his face, yet he bravely continued to fight. One minute into the eleventh round, a powerful left-right combination from Marciano sent La Starza backward, through the ropes, and out of the ring. Although La Starza managed to beat the count, Marciano immediately pressed for the finish, landing several more hard blows before referee Ruby Goldstein stopped the fight. This TKO marked Marciano's 40th knockout victory and was the first time La Starza had ever been stopped in his professional career. The bout was recognized as 1953's Fight of the Year by The Ring magazine, marking the second consecutive year a Marciano fight received this honor.
Aftermath and Legacy
The impact of the fight on Roland La Starza was significant and lasting. The severe punches to his arms left them so badly injured that he required surgery to repair damaged bones, muscles, and nerves. While he continued to fight nine more times, he lost five of those bouts, including a loss to future Marciano opponent Don Cockell, before ultimately retiring from boxing in 1961. La Starza also pursued an acting career, appearing in minor roles in various movies and television shows. Despite never achieving the same level of boxing success as Marciano, he is remembered as one of the champion's toughest opponents. The fight underscored Marciano's incredible resilience and power, further cementing his legacy as an undefeated heavyweight champion.
