September 7, 1954 Motor City Arena - Detroit, Michigan Marty 'The Michigan Bomber' Marshall, a 'flighty' Light-Heavyweight from Detroit. The 6' 1" 180 lb. well-built boxer-puncher, was as confusing as talented. Marty started his career '8-years' earlier in July 1946, as a promising 22 1/2 year-old Light-Heavyweight. But, a lack of focus and dedication left Marty floundering in August 1952 with a record of 8-5-2 (4 KO's), including '4' knockout losses. But somehow, with backing from the Motor City Arena in Detroit, 'The Michigan Bomber' was able to put together a '10-bout' winning streak, which brought the 180 lb. fighters record to a respectable 18-5-2 (11 KO's). The impressive run, put Marty Marshall in the Top 15 of the World Light Heavyweight rankings. Upon entering his bout 'first' bout Sonny Liston, the 30 1/2 year-old, at 181 lbs. was expected to be a 'stern test' for the Heavyweight prospect from St. Louis - Charles 'Sonny' Liston. Asked how he would deal with this Heavyweight Brute, Marty responded, 'Fast feet, fast hands and a fast mind. A left hook underneath, and an overhand right to the chin. That is my recipe for a Detroit Surprise.' This content is protected
Marty 'The Michigan Bomber' Marshall A factory worker by day, at the Acme Quality Paint Company in Detroit. A night, a ring-moonlighter, who was always available on short-notice. Manager, Al DeNapoli got Marty a $750 '8-Round' gig on 6-days short-notice. But the Manager and his fighter held out for another $250, and got a $1000 fight pay-day. Several of the boxing pundits called Marty Marshall, 'a clown' and an unpredictable buffoon who is amusing in the ring. But Al DeNapoli said that most of the boxing critics mistake his fighter's clever boxing, for comic relief. Al DeNapoli, 'My fighter is clever, and uses movement to set up his opponent for sneaky hard punches. Marty knows what he is doing, and it has worked for 10-fights in a row.'
