Marciano's Training - Can Anybody Provide True Insight

While my first inclination is to defer to those who actually knew him, like John Garfield, I'll hazard a few comments.

It's been years since I've read it, but if you obtain a copy of Everett Skehan's biography, either borrowed through an inter library loan or purchased through a used book source like Amazon.com, you'll have a decent starting reference point for learning how he actually conditioned himself, and how he generated endless motivation for how his poorly conditioned body failed him from his first amateur bout, a humiliation before his own loyal following.

He apparently did an insane amount of walking, enough to have been a pedestrian celebrity in the late nineteenth century. He apparently was celibate as a monk, so much so that he had to deny that saltpeter was in his diet.

Over training is an allegation that I've only read applied to the rematch with LaStarza. Roland pissed him off with the comment that he took so many shots he was bound to eventually get punchy. Rocky had seen plenty of punch drunk former boxers, and may have applied himself even more than usual in training to defend his title this time. There was some debate over whether Marciano was over trained, or deliberately punishing LaStarza for his comment.

Not sure if duration of training is being confused with preparation time. It may be that he altered his diet and lifestyle three to four months in advance, and undertook more rigorous physical conditioning later, but again, I'd be more comfortable deferring to a first hand oracle like John Garfield.

Antuofermo was the best conditioned middleweight in the world during his championship run, actually gassing Hagler a bit during their draw. Even when Vito was not training for a match, he ran at least five miles a day. Sometimes, maybe all that's necessary to get ahead is to simply stay in shape at all times, and not let oneself go between bouts.

 

His training schedule was tough, but Rocky actually added to it. Charlie Goldman said Rocky was the only fighter he ever trained that he had to force to take breaks. If Rocky did a routine on the heavy bag, say 300 punches, and Goldman called stop, Rocky might say, "Let me do a couple hundred more, Charlie."

He got up very early and ran at least 5 miles every day, even when not in training. He ran in the snow and in the rain. He ran on Christmas day. He upped it to 7 miles, then 10 miles, then 15 miles as a fight drew near.
He'd eat breakfast after his run.
In the morning at camp he did gym work; speed bag, heavy bag, medicine ball, sit-ups, push-ups, etc. He did this for several hours. The press was usually allowed in to watch this and visitors, too.
He'd have a light lunch, and maybe a guest or two would be invited to join him, especially sports writers.
In the afternoon he'd do ring work, like sparring. I think a nap was fit in somewhere, too. Usually the camp was closed by supper time. Rocky liked to take long walks after supper, and from accounts, even those were turned into training. Lou Duva related going on walk with Rocky and how Marciano was constantly stooping to pick up rocks to throw. It wasn't a distraction or out of boredom, but more conditioning Rocky wanted, the stooping good for the mid-section, throwing the rocks good for the arms and shoulders.
There are films of Rocky training on Youtube. Just put in a search for "Rocky Marciano training".

Rocky's brother told about waking up at night when they were kids and finding Rocky standing in the dark room lifting the chair repeatedly over his head. He was a fanatic about exercise and condition.

 

Peter Wilson the British boxing writer visited him in training for a few fights he said even in Rocky's bed room he had a small rubber ball on elastic hanging above his pillow ,and whilst laying down he would hit it.
The guy lived like a monk.

 

Great post. Thanks.

I wish more fighters trained like this today, instead of the new "scientific" methods.

I am sick of seeing fighters, especially heavyweights, gas after 3 or 4 rounds or have low workrates over the course of a fight.

 

Rocky was obsesses (quite literally) with NOT losing and if anything, this is reflected in his inhumane training. He is truely the one man you DON'T want to be fighting, because every minute, every second of the day that you're relaxing or enjoying a steak, you know that somewhere, he is throwing punches and pushing himself to the limit to batter you until you give in. What a man.

 

I saw Marciano training for a fight at Grossingers NY in 1950 or 1951..I sat 3 ft away from the ring, watching young Rocky box with three sparring partners,at full throttle,and Marciano's blows on his sparmates arms,hurt me...Sitting a few feet away from Rocky, he resemled a powerful and TIRELESS sledge hammer... Not an ounce of excess fat on him,watching him train ....A tough tough opponent for anyone, regardless of not being a BIG modern heavyweight....

 

Great story Burt. You've got plenty of them.

 

One of the greatest nappers ever. True intensity in his shut-eye.

His mastication was intense, every bite with brutal purpose.

The way he would check the mail would make a normal man succumb in the first stride.

 

The only criticism ive ever heard was, like riddick bowe rocky really usta strap on the feedbag excessively. This was the only thing Goldman had to stay on him about.

 

Funny but true

 

@The Undefeated Lachbuster any insight?

 

Wow, Rubber Warrior. There's a blast from the past.

 

https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/contemporary-evaluations-of-rocky-marciano.647401/page-8

https://www.boxingforum24.com/threa...rcianos-diet-and-workout-regimen-1952.616023/