Rocky Graziano

the hardest hitting JMW maybe but Julian Jackson has that crown

 

The first time I walked into Stillman's Gym as a a kid, I stood, lookin' up at Rocky hittin' the speed bag, smokin' a cigarette.

"Why ain't you in school?", he said.

"Why ain' you?", I said.

He burst out laughin'

After that, he was my rabbi, introduced me to everybody. We remained good friends long after he stopped fighting.

 

His autobiography is a great read.

 

Rocky was right-hand crazy...'n HITTA TON, 'n that includes the street. Crumpled anyone that looked at him ****-eyed. A volcanic temper.

He didn't SPAR (wasn't in his DNA); threw paving stones from the opening bell -- just wanted to flatten people.

Went through the motions of training, like his buddy, Willie Pep, but the two of 'em would much rather 've been at the track or having laughs at a gin mill.

 

Gotta love it ...another Hall Of Fame post.

 

It's always a pleasure to read your insights on the personalities you've met, JG.

 

:rofl:rofl

sounds amazing. You know most of the Ney York fighters in the 50s didnt you?

It would be amazing being mates with Rocky heard he was a funny guy but with a bad temper.

are you saying he didnt spar? or he did spar but it was more like a fight.

did Pep and Rocky ever spar?

:good

seconded

 

bump

 

All I can tell ya about the Rock's power is. He was flattening light-heavies in the gym; and though cut like Vito Antifurmo, was no more than 5'7" and a blown-up welter.

 

Graziano was not the hardest hitting MW by a long shot. He may have been the hardest hitting middleweight to regularly fight welterweights but I dont think his power at MW even compares with Robinson's at WW. Of course, I think Graziano is incredibly overrated...