Graziano, Rocky (1921-1990), was a colorful American boxer. Graziano held the world middleweight championship in 1947 and 1948. He became known for his fierce rivalry with another American boxer, Tony Zale. Graziano lost a middleweight title fight to Zale in 1946 but won the title by defeating Zale in 1947. Graziano lost the title in a rematch with Zale in 1948. Graziano was a ferocious slugger who could absorb many punches and still fight effectively. He won 67 fights during his professional career, 52 by knockouts. He also lost 10 fights and had 6 draws.
Graziano was born on Jan. 1, 1921, in New York City. His real name was Thomas Rocco Barbella. Graziano grew up in poverty and dropped out of school before he was a teen-ager. He was frequently in trouble with the law and was first arrested at the age of 12. Graziano was sent to reform school numerous times. He also served five months in prison in 1941.
Graziano began fighting in amateur bouts as a teen-ager. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1942 and soon went absent without leave (AWOL) from the Army. During this time, he began boxing professionally under the name Rocky Graziano, the name of an acquaintance, in an attempt to avoid arrest. However, he was arrested and served nine months in an Army prison in 1942 and 1943, where he fought on the prison boxing team.
In addition to his championship fights with Zale, Graziano fought Sugar Ray Robinson for the middleweight championship in 1952 and was knocked out in the third round. Graziano had one more fight that year and retired. He then began a successful career as a comic actor and as a salesman for various products on television.
Graziano wrote two autobiographies, Somebody Up There Likes Me (1955) and Somebody Down Here Likes Me Too (1981). The first book was made into a popular motion picture in 1956 starring the American actor Paul Newman. Graziano died on May 22, 1990.
