The heavyweight division has been home to some of boxing’s biggest-ever names.
With the likes of Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, and Lennox Lewis all amongst the greatest heavyweights of all time, these are the names that have helped shape the sport. However, none of the mentioned greats were able to maintain an unbeaten record.
A punch that Lewis can’t remember caused one of just two losses in his career, meanwhile, Ali and Foreman have lost five times each.
However, despite all of the big names in the heavyweight division, there is one man who stands above the rest with his undefeated record.
Rocky Marciano retired with a 49-0 record
Former heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano was able to hang up his gloves without ever tasting defeat in his professional career.
Retiring in 1955, Marciano became the first heavyweight champion to retire undefeated, a feat that has not yet been replicated.
Making his debut at age 23, Marciano won his first fight by knockout in 1947.
‘The Brockton Blockbuster’ would go on to win 43 of his 49 fights by knockout, proving himself to be a lethal finisher.
Marciano claimed the National Boxing Association World Heavyweight title in 1952 when he defeated Jersey Joe Walcott in Philadelphia. The heavyweight would remain champion until his last bout in 1955.
His final fight happened at Yankee Stadium in New York when Marciano overcame a second-round knockdown from Archie Moore to win by 9th-round knockout.
- READ MORE: George Foreman reveals what Muhammad Ali whispered to him in the middle of ‘Rumble in the Jungle’
Rocky Marciano tragically passed away in plane crash
The boxing legend would sadly lose his life in 1969, two days before his 46th birthday.
Marciano was involved in a plane collision near Newton Airport in Kansas as he was accompanied by two others on the plane.
The former heavyweight champion was understood to be on his way to Des Moines in Iowa, however, was involved in a crash believed to have taken place at around 10 pm on August 31st, 1969.
Marciano will forever be considered a legend of boxing and will not be forgotten thanks to his elite contributions to the sport.