Rocky Graziano
(1922-1990)

World champion middleweight in 1947, Rocco Barbella whose real name was first experienced the prisons before knowing the glory in the ring. His three fights with Tony Zale anthology deal with some of the most violent in history, but sums up the life of this champion destiny marked by hatred. The Italo-American found his redemption through boxing.
Never been more tumultuous adolescence than Rocco Barbella, the fifth child born on 1 January 1922 of Italian immigrants of the suburb of New York Lower East Side. No mother has shed more tears than hers to the gates of houses of correction that rocked six of his tender years. A thousand times, yet the faithful hear Ida ensure her son: "Do not worry, someone up there watching over me." But flights, snowshoeing, and holds up its daily aggressions.
In January 1942, the wild without rules does not support those imposed by the military administration. He deserted leaving for dead a captain after authoritarian beaten. Rocco Barbella then found refuge in a room

Boxing, not far from his neighborhood.

To earn a few dollars, he accepted a sparring session with the South American champion heavyweight. For one minute, Rocco receives blows without reply. But suddenly, the hatred that feeds it exploded. Amazed, the manager Whitey Bimstein asks her name. "Rocky Graziano", he invented when he saw an advertisement in the wine room. "If I can not find a better way to make me some money, I will box for you."
But two months after its debut, Rocco is taken by the courts and sentenced to one year of forced labor. Again, it does not comply. Faced with the boss of the place, a mastiff of 110 kg, the development is inevitable. Graziano corrects the eyes of Sergeant John Allan, a passion for boxing.
The latter offers the flayed to integrate its boxing team. "I saw lots of guys who could fight, but you have a precious gift: your hatred. Boxing can work wonders for a guy like you. "Rocky accepts the deal.

He found the ring in June 1943. His mother had prevented her husband to become pro boxer endorse his choice as long as it does more lead to prison. Graziano do not train, but his rage enough to win 16 of his 18 fights in 16 months and 17 the following year. At Madison Square Garden, his two losses to Harold Green (knocked several times) make it popular.
His sister
he presents her friend Norma. Graziano falls in love with this little brunette with fiery temperament. When he refused to endorse his work, he says, "Boxing is a sport of brute, but when the crowd screaming my name I feel important." His marriage and the birth of a daughter still the responsibility.
In June and August 1945, Freddie Cochrane knocked out in the 10th round in two horrific battles. Then the Italian-American beats Harold Green in 3 times. Finally, for a semi-final World Marty Servo, welterweight champion, suffered his lightning two rounds. Rocky Graziano holds its first chance world. It takes place September 27, 1946 at Yankee Stadium against Tony Zale.
The confrontation is indescribable brutality. Graziano (counted in the 1st round) and Zale (the second) are beyond the imaginable. In the sixth round, Graziano cash a cross to the chin followed by a right to the stomach. For the first time it is KO. After the fight Zale said: "Before him, they fight to survive." Rocky, himself, thinks only find Zale. "At the same time, I'll kill him!"
His old friends from the underworld smell good time. They threaten to unpack his past and to undo all his efforts he never sets without face-Ed Schank grade. But betrayal is too big insult to injury Graziano claiming to cancel the fight. To the board of New York, he refused to give names and is suspended for one year. That Chicago does not follow the decision and decides to organize revenge.

20,000 spectators attend one of the most frightening battles of the modern era, July 16, 1947 at Chicago Stadium. Soon, the referee warned both corners: "If you do not take your responsibilities, I stop the fight. Here, there is the death penalty for accomplices to murder. "The challenger, sent to the floor to the second round, retorted:" If you stop, I murder you! "Graziano unleashed back in the sixth and put Zale KO on a right hook. In tears, Rocky is the revenge of his life at the microphone and yells, "Mom, your rascal son finally did something right."
On June 10, 1948 in Newark, the beautiful lasts only three rounds. Zale and Graziano reach again the paroxysm of violence on a ring. Rocky collapses on a hook against. Five years later, he finds a chance world. But it is facing Sugar Ray Robinson, then at the zenith of his art (KO 3e). He retired with a record of 83 fights (52 KOs) for only 10 defeats. His story gives rise to a film, "Marked by hatred" by Robert Wise, starring Paul Newman. Talented artist and TV star, Rocky Graziano died May 22, 1990 after completing his redemption. "I had three lives, he said. A thief, a boxer and an artist. Each allowed me to fulfill myself. "