Rocky Marciano vs Don Cockell 'Batting Practice'

[Senor Pepe']

May 16, 1955

Kezar Stadium, San Francisco

In what many of the sportswriters wrote, Rocky will have a turn in
the batting cage, swinging for the fences against an ox-legged fat man.

This will be nothing more than 'batting practive', as the Englishman Don Cockell
will be lobbing in 'meatballs' for the squat Italian Heavyweight Champion to feed upon.

Rocky, now at age 31 1/2, will bring his 5' 11" and 189 lb. body into
the San Francisco Stadium, a long 8-months after his second bout with
the fading-fast and former Heavyweight Champion - Ezzard Charles.

Rocky, at 47-0-0 (41 KO's), will be making his 5th Title Defense, and his
handlers couldn't have hand-picked an easier opponent. Christmas has
come early for the Champion, and he will receive an easy toy to play with,
that has no sharp edges to worry about.

Don Cockell, a pudding-filled Englishman, with a record of 66-11-1 {38 KO's),
should not be that difficult of a Challenger. At 5' 11", Cockell
will be the same height as the Champion, but will have a 4" reach
advantage over Rocky, which may help him for the short-term.

But, his 205 lb. weight (16 lbs. heavier than the Champion) is not of
muscle, but more of soft dough. The 26 1/2 year-old Englishman can
fight a bit, but his strength his ability to take punches, and show courage,
usually not found in European Heavyweights.

Three years earlier (June 1952), Don Cockell was a trim 174 lbs. fighting
as the British Empire Light-Heavyweight Champion. But he was knocked out
by Middleweight Randy Turpin, and chased out of the 175 lb. Division.

Several servings of English Pudding, put Don Cockell into the Heavyweight
Division, where 'girth' over 'muscle' can sometimes help. But, 30 lbs. in
3 years added to the small-framed Cockell, makes him look like a water-logged
sponge in the kitchen sink.

Yer up Rocky, get in the batting cage.

[Senor Pepe']

Rocky Marciano and Don Cockell

[BillB]

Marciano was approached by a Mob rep to throw the Cockell fight for big bucks.

He went into a rage and threw the hood out of his room.

[Senor Pepe']

Originally Posted by BillB

Marciano was approached by a Mob rep to throw the Cockell fight for big bucks.

He went into a rage and threw the hood out of his room.

I knew a few tough Italian brick-masonry guys in Brooklyn who could have
given Rocky a tougher fight.

If anything, Rocky knew it was just about time to get out.

[thistle1]

Cockell should never have been fighting at HW, only 'health' forced him to fight there. When accessing his true worth it is better seen at his own weight and fighters he fought and beat, including, Mathews, LaStarza and other L-HW cum HWs.

Fair is fair Sir Pepe, as I've seen you qualify so many forgotten men, I fear you didn't know this about Don Cockell.




Cockell the L-HW, before his Glandular Disease (which killed him at 54 yrs.) showed up!

[Senor Pepe']

Originally Posted by thistle1

Cockell should never have been fighting at HW, only 'health' forced him to fight there. When accessing his true worth it is better seen at his own weight and fighters he fought and beat, including, Mathews, LaStarza and other L-HW cum HWs.

Fair is fair Sir Pepe, as I've seen you qualify so many forgotten men, I fear you didn't know this about Don Cockell.

No intentional knock on Mr. Don Cockell, as he fought as well as he could have,
and suprised many with his courageous performance.

The boxing pundits ripped Don Cockell, as not a worthy opponent before
the bout with Rocky.

I believe, Don Cockell gave a very good effort, and did much better than
expected, as few thought he would last into the 5th Round.

[janitor]

In team Marciano's defence, Cockels #2 ranking made him an eminently justifiable challenger.

[Senor Pepe']

The Press tore harder into Don Cockell as the 'Challenger' than they did
'Champion' Rocky Marciano.

Don Cockell, was labeled,
* A willing trial-horse
* A plucky Englishman
* A plump medoicre Light-Heavyweight
* Light-hitting plodder
* A sitting-duck
* Stout-hearted punching bag
* Lucky to reach the 5th Round
* Better chance of walking on water across the San Francisco Bay

[janitor]

Originally Posted by Senor Pepe'

The Press tore harder into Don Cockell as the 'Challenger' than they did
'Champion' Rocky Marciano.

Don Cockell, was labeled,
* A willing trial-horse
* A plucky Englishman
* A plump medoicre Light-Heavyweight
* Light-hitting plodder
* A sitting-duck
* Stout-hearted punching bag
* Lucky to reach the 5th Round
* Better chance of walking on water across the San Francisco Bay

I will grant you that he was not the most aestheticaly pleasing challenger, but when you cut through it all he was still a capable fighter.

[thistle1]

from this fight with Tommy Farr (well past it) Cockell engaged in 8 straight wins at HW against some pretty good fighters... Cockell was worthy allright just not at HW.

they never seem to credit the man for these facts, they just remember he was outclassed by Marciano- who wasn't? but Cockell shouldn't have been in there anyway, L-HW is his real placement & rating.

he looks good against Farr here, though Tommy had seen much finer days, but Cockell was real!

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[Senor Pepe']

Rocky got a little rough, when he got frustrated that Don was still standing.

[BillB]

Originally Posted by Senor Pepe'

I knew a few tough Italian brick-masonry guys in Brooklyn who could have
given Rocky a tougher fight.

If anything, Rocky knew it was just about time to get out.

They wouldn't have fought Rocky.

Rocky was a friend of Vito Genovese- Don Vito.

Marciano wasn't dirty- he didn't do mob business, but he liked to hobnob with them.

[Pachilles]

?

[ron u.k.]

By the way Pepe Cockell wasn't "chased out of the light heavyweight division" weight problems due to his condition forced him out. Turpin knocked him out but he was weight drained for that fight. He was a good fighter Cockell and went out and had a real go against Rocky but eventually was brutalised by it must be said a very dirty display from Marciano

[Senor Pepe']

No disrespect to Mr. Cockell.

Yes, he was a pretty good British Light-Heavyweight up thru June 1952, where
he posted a very good 56-10-1 record.

The 23 year-old Don Cockell versus Archie Moore in 1951 would have been an interesting bout.