Great boxers are a national treasure. Panama adores Roberto Duran, Manny Pacquiao is the pride of Philippines, Argentinians cried after the tragic death of Oscar Bonavena and relished the magical Nicolino Locche. There is no dispute as to what country those boxers represented, but what about some less obvious examples? Primo Carnera was born in Sequals, Italy, and only later moved to the USA. Rocky Marciano however was born there in a family of Italian immigrants, much like Jake la Motta and Rocky Graziano. Stanley Ketchel (Stanisław Kiecal) and Tony Zale (Antoni Florian Załęski) were sons of Polish immigrants as well, born and raised in the USA. The question is: are those fighters considered the pride of their parent's countries, or are they embraced by their new homeland more. I know it's a complicated and personal question regarding national identity, upbringing, and migrations, but I'd like to know you opinions on the issue and those three boxers in particular.
I think in Marcianos case he was embraced strongly by both the US and Italy. While in the case of Ketchel and Zale definitely the US though I'm not as certain about Poland. Poland was in wartime turmoil during Zales active period, and the nation was partitioned during Ketchels. So it is hard to say whether there was a strong national notice of Zale and Ketchel due to the peoples uncertain lives as there were more important issues on the minds of poles.
Both of Marciano’s parents emigrated to the US. In the public eye via tv interviews and news stories ( newspaper and magazines) his parents were old school Italians who came to America for a better life, which I think endeared him even more so in the US and back in Italy. Whenever you would see Rocky in on camera stories he was usually eating pasta at his parents house lol
Man I'd like to claim Rocco Marcheggiano was an eyetie but I've seen a video of him trying to speak Italian and its horrible. Let's say he was genetically from the Old Country
