Rocky Marciano vs Don Cockell 'Batting Practice'

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Senor Pepe', Nov 11, 2012.


Page 1 of 4
  1. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

    9,408
    45
    Mar 14, 2012
    May 16, 1955

    Kezar Stadium, San Francisco

    In what many of the sportswriters wrote, Rocky will have a turn in
    the batting cage, swinging for the fences against an ox-legged fat man.

    This will be nothing more than 'batting practive', as the Englishman Don Cockell
    will be lobbing in 'meatballs' for the squat Italian Heavyweight Champion to feed upon.

    Rocky, now at age 31 1/2, will bring his 5' 11" and 189 lb. body into
    the San Francisco Stadium, a long 8-months after his second bout with
    the fading-fast and former Heavyweight Champion - Ezzard Charles.

    Rocky, at 47-0-0 (41 KO's), will be making his 5th Title Defense, and his
    handlers couldn't have hand-picked an easier opponent. Christmas has
    come early for the Champion, and he will receive an easy toy to play with,
    that has no sharp edges to worry about.

    Don Cockell, a pudding-filled Englishman, with a record of 66-11-1 {38 KO's),
    should not be that difficult of a Challenger. At 5' 11", Cockell
    will be the same height as the Champion, but will have a 4" reach
    advantage over Rocky, which may help him for the short-term.

    But, his 205 lb. weight (16 lbs. heavier than the Champion) is not of
    muscle, but more of soft dough. The 26 1/2 year-old Englishman can
    fight a bit, but his strength his ability to take punches, and show courage,
    usually not found in European Heavyweights.

    Three years earlier (June 1952), Don Cockell was a trim 174 lbs. fighting
    as the British Empire Light-Heavyweight Champion. But he was knocked out
    by Middleweight Randy Turpin, and chased out of the 175 lb. Division.

    Several servings of English Pudding, put Don Cockell into the Heavyweight
    Division, where 'girth' over 'muscle' can sometimes help. But, 30 lbs. in
    3 years added to the small-framed Cockell, makes him look like a water-logged
    sponge in the kitchen sink.

    Yer up Rocky, get in the batting cage.
     
    Senor Pepe', Nov 11, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Nov 11, 2012
    #1
  2. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

    9,408
    45
    Mar 14, 2012
    Rocky Marciano and Don Cockell

    This content is protected
     
    Senor Pepe', Nov 11, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Nov 11, 2012
    #2
  3. BillB

    BillB Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,757
    40
    Jul 23, 2011
    Marciano was approached by a Mob rep to throw the Cockell fight for big bucks.

    He went into a rage and threw the hood out of his room.
     
    BillB, Nov 11, 2012
    BillB, Nov 11, 2012
    #3
  4. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

    9,408
    45
    Mar 14, 2012
    I knew a few tough Italian brick-masonry guys in Brooklyn who could have
    given Rocky a tougher fight.

    If anything, Rocky knew it was just about time to get out.
     
    Senor Pepe', Nov 11, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Nov 11, 2012
    #4
  5. thistle1

    thistle1 Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,915
    151
    Jul 30, 2006
    Cockell should never have been fighting at HW, only 'health' forced him to fight there. When accessing his true worth it is better seen at his own weight and fighters he fought and beat, including, Mathews, LaStarza and other L-HW cum HWs.

    Fair is fair Sir Pepe, as I've seen you qualify so many forgotten men, I fear you didn't know this about Don Cockell.


    This content is protected


    Cockell the L-HW, before his Glandular Disease (which killed him at 54 yrs.) showed up!
     
    thistle1, Nov 11, 2012
    thistle1, Nov 11, 2012
    #5
  6. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

    9,408
    45
    Mar 14, 2012
    No intentional knock on Mr. Don Cockell, as he fought as well as he could have,
    and suprised many with his courageous performance.

    The boxing pundits ripped Don Cockell, as not a worthy opponent before
    the bout with Rocky.

    I believe, Don Cockell gave a very good effort, and did much better than
    expected, as few thought he would last into the 5th Round.
     
    Senor Pepe', Nov 11, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Nov 11, 2012
    #6
  7. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

    71,523
    27,100
    Feb 15, 2006
    In team Marciano's defence, Cockels #2 ranking made him an eminently justifiable challenger.
     
    janitor, Nov 11, 2012
    janitor, Nov 11, 2012
    #7
  8. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

    9,408
    45
    Mar 14, 2012
    The Press tore harder into Don Cockell as the 'Challenger' than they did
    'Champion' Rocky Marciano.

    Don Cockell, was labeled,
    * A willing trial-horse
    * A plucky Englishman
    * A plump medoicre Light-Heavyweight
    * Light-hitting plodder
    * A sitting-duck
    * Stout-hearted punching bag
    * Lucky to reach the 5th Round
    * Better chance of walking on water across the San Francisco Bay
     
    Senor Pepe', Nov 11, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Nov 11, 2012
    #8
  9. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

    71,523
    27,100
    Feb 15, 2006
    I will grant you that he was not the most aestheticaly pleasing challenger, but when you cut through it all he was still a capable fighter.
     
    janitor, Nov 11, 2012
    janitor, Nov 11, 2012
    #9
  10. thistle1

    thistle1 Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,915
    151
    Jul 30, 2006
    from this fight with Tommy Farr (well past it) Cockell engaged in 8 straight wins at HW against some pretty good fighters... Cockell was worthy allright just not at HW.

    they never seem to credit the man for these facts, they just remember he was outclassed by Marciano- who wasn't? but Cockell shouldn't have been in there anyway, L-HW is his real placement & rating.

    he looks good against Farr here, though Tommy had seen much finer days, but Cockell was real!

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/9046319.stm
     
    thistle1, Nov 11, 2012
    thistle1, Nov 11, 2012
    #10
  11. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

    9,408
    45
    Mar 14, 2012
    Rocky got a little rough, when he got frustrated that Don was still standing.

    This content is protected
     
    Senor Pepe', Nov 11, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Nov 11, 2012
    #11
  12. BillB

    BillB Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,757
    40
    Jul 23, 2011

    They wouldn't have fought Rocky.

    Rocky was a friend of Vito Genovese- Don Vito.

    Marciano wasn't dirty- he didn't do mob business, but he liked to hobnob with them.
     
    BillB, Nov 11, 2012
    BillB, Nov 11, 2012
    #12
  13. Pachilles

    Pachilles Boxing Addict Full Member

    6,294
    28
    Nov 15, 2009
    This content is protected


    ?
     
    Pachilles, Nov 11, 2012
    Pachilles, Nov 11, 2012
    #13
  14. ron u.k.

    ron u.k. Boxing Addict banned

    4,920
    12
    Feb 14, 2006
    By the way Pepe Cockell wasn't "chased out of the light heavyweight division" weight problems due to his condition forced him out. Turpin knocked him out but he was weight drained for that fight. He was a good fighter Cockell and went out and had a real go against Rocky but eventually was brutalised by it must be said a very dirty display from Marciano
     
    ron u.k., Nov 11, 2012
    ron u.k., Nov 11, 2012
    #14
  15. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

    9,408
    45
    Mar 14, 2012
    No disrespect to Mr. Cockell.

    Yes, he was a pretty good British Light-Heavyweight up thru June 1952, where
    he posted a very good 56-10-1 record.

    The 23 year-old Don Cockell versus Archie Moore in 1951 would have been an interesting bout.
     
    Senor Pepe', Nov 11, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Nov 11, 2012
    #15
Page 1 of 4