On August 31, 1969, boxing idol Rocky Marciano died tragically – one day before his 46th birthday.
August 31, 1969 was the last day of boxing legend Rocky Marciano’s life. The Brockton-born American, whose real name was Rocco Francis Marchegiano, remained undefeated in 49 victories, 43 of them by knockout, until his retirement in 1956.
Marciano not only ended his career as the first undefeated heavyweight world champion in boxing history. The “Brockton Blockbuster” also achieved the feat of winning every one of his world championship fights by knockout. Marciano is therefore regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time and continues to inspire boxers and fans around the world to this day. One day before his 46th birthday , the Hall-of-Famer died in a plane crash.