To fight as a pro,I had to change my christened name to a boxing name... or else...Became famous too...I am ?
Rocky Graziano - he was hanging out at a gym while technically AWOL from the army - and the MPs turned up looking for him and unknowingly began question him - he had to think on his feet and come up with a fake name so he said Rocky (coz thats like a regular fighters name) and when they asked him his surname he was glanced down and saw a empty wine bottle by the ring (probably being used as a water bottle) and the name of the wine...Graziano! So Graziano it was - i guess the next couple of seconds felt like an age but they seemed to accept that and disappeared and Rocky breathed a sigh of relief - think thats how it went down anyhow?
Rocky Graziano,I am.... His name was Rocco Barbella===At Stillmans Gym in 1942, I as a youngster saw a tough looking spectator ,wearing a polo shirt spitting on the floor a few feet from me..I said to myself'this guy is a wild looking SOB'. Well a few days later, my dad took me to St Nicholas Arena,Ny.... Who should be in one of the prelim but this same guy..He was Rocky Graziano...His real name was Thomas Rocco Barbella,and he was AWOL from Fort Dix after slugging a Sergeant...He used the name Rocky Graziano,instead of Rocco Barbella,hoping to avoid the Army Authorities, and the Army stockade...A tough and nervy Guy was young Graziano...I saw him coming up as a fighter and he was the most exciting fighter I ever saw...His early bouts were like a bar room brawl, and Rocky was an authentic tough guy along with his goombah,Jake Lamotta....
