Rocky Marciano vs Don Cockell 'Batting Practice'

Knockout (KO 7) ..... 40 year-old Tommy Farr (84-30-6)
Don Cockell beats up an 'old man'.

W Decision 15 ....... Johnny Williams (51-6-3)
Don Cockell wins the British and Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship,
by defeating a capable Champion.

W Split Decision 10 .... Light-Heavyweight Harry Matthews (84-4-6)
Don Cockell needs to score '3' knockdowns in Round 9, to squeeze out
a split-decision over a fighter he out-weighed by 31 lbs.

W Decision 10 ........... Italian Heavyweight - Uber Bacilieri (11-3-5)
Don Cockell looks sluggish, in winning a dull decision over a fighter he
out-weighed by 22 lbs.

 

The fact that Cockell emerged as the #2 contender probably shows how decimated the HW division was at the time.

Full credit to Marciano, he was the guy who 'cleaned out' the good old guard, and he ruined a few promising up-and-comers.
He was part of the reason the upper ranks of the division was looking empty by 1955.

 

July 31, 1954

British-Empire Heavyweight Champion - Don Cockell scores an impressive
victory (TKO 7) over Harry 'Kid' Matthews.

'Don Cockell Wants Champ Marciano Next'

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Saturday Night - July 31, 1954

Sicks Stadium - Seattle, Washington

Attendance; 16,000

#3 Heavyweight - Don Cockell..............66-11-1 (38 KO's)
vs.
#7 Heavyweight - Harry 'Kid' Matthews...86-6-6 (59 KO's)

25 1/2 year-old British Empire Heavyweight Champion - Don Cockell 5' 11" - 210 lbs. takes on
31 1/2 year-old American - Harry ''Kid' Matthews 6' 0" - 180 lbs. a 'third time'.

Their 'two' 'previous bouts were hard-fought close decision wins for the British Heavyweight.

Don Cockell is looking for his '10th-straight' win.

In this bout, after an 'Even' 1st-Round, Don Cockell took command in Round 2, and scored with numerous
left jabs and hard right hands on 'The Kid', throughout the next 4 Rounds.

In Round 6, Cockell bloodied Matthews nose with several smashing right hands, and had the
American dazed at the end of the round.

In Round 7, Cockell stalked the 'dazed' Matthews, and clobbered him with lefts and rights
that had him 'glassy eyed'. Near the end of the Round, Cockell landed a hard right hand
to the head, that 'staggered' Mathews.

Referee -James J. Braddock would not let Harry 'Kid' Matthews come out for Round 8.

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Bobo Olsen vs Mathews and the HWs?

 

:thumbsupl

:huh once again you've got me puzzled Suzie!

 

I think he might be insinuating that "in Cockell there was No Fight", so his real opponent then should have been Bob Baker (?), or maybe stating that the fat pudgy Cockell was more a Baker, you know a lover of sweets & cakes. a little 'play' on words, given that Bob Baker was a then Contender!

 

So,which option should I take then!

 

I'd go with the second one... he who eats all the pies!

 

When ESPN Calssic was broadcasting Rocky Marciano's tv show he had, where he went over his fights, after interviewing some celebrity or ex-boxer, he showed Cockel fight. In his voice over and commentary, he said that going into bout, he knew that no mater what he did, it would lead to him getting no credit. He was constantly asked questions on Cockell, and told that even if he ko'd him, it would be "So what?" He said Cockell was better than people thought, he found that out as fight went on, and that guy took great shot and was very game.

Marciano woud have retired after second Charles fight, definitely after this one, if not for Archie Moore saying Marciano was ducking him.

 

He did ruin guys who would have normally come back to contend. Harry Matthews, Rex Layne, LaStarza, Carmine Vingo (who almost died and had to retire) and even Ezzard Charles, none were same after Marciano kos.

 

September 13, 1955

Just 4-months after his courageous effort against Champion - Rocky Marciano (L TKO 9).

Don Cockell, a super pudgy (218 lbs.) is battered and floored in Round 3,
and badly cut by the tall and raw Cuban Heavyweight - Nino Valdes.

The bout is stopped at the end of Round 3.

Don Cockell, 'Nino will destroy Marciano when they fight. He's bigger, faster, stronger and
punches harder. Rocky is really nothing, other than a clubbing club-fighter. Short arms,
wild swings and no defense.'

 

I challenge you to provide a source for this

 

April 24, 1956 (Tuesday Night)

Earl's Court, London, United Kingdom

The career of 27 year-old 'tubby' British-Empire Heavyweight - Don Cockell
should come to an end.

The 211 lb. Heavyweight was 'stopped (L KO 2) by Kitione Lave,
a 22 year-old - 200 lb. 'Tongan Torpedo'.

Cockell was 'dropped' in the 1st-round by the little known Lave, and
floored again in Round 2.

The hard-punching Tongan, improved his record to 29-6-2 (25 KO's),
as he completely over-whelmed the courageous Cockell, who has now been
stopped in '3-straight' bouts.

Don Cockell now falls to 66-14-1, and will undoubtedly retire.

Don Cockell, 'I think Kitione has the right style to defeat Rocky Marciano.
He punches fast and hard, and is a more complete fighter than the Champion.
Rocky is strong, but he is getting older and slower. These young guys are too big,
and punch too fast.'

'The Tongan Torpedo'

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Senior Pepe,

Who do you favor between Marciano vs Valdes?