Thomas Rocco Barbella, better known as Rocky Graziano, was an American professional boxer and actor who held the World Middleweight title. Graziano is considered one of the greatest knockout artists in boxing history, often displaying the capacity to take his opponent out with a single punch. He was ranked 23rd on The Ring magazine list of the greatest punchers of all time. He fought many of the best middleweights of the era including Sugar Ray Robinson. He was the subject of the 1956 film, Somebody Up There Likes Me, based on his 1955 autobiography, starring Paul Newman as Graziano.
Graziano, undated
Graziano, undated
Graziano, circa 1946
Walker Smith Jr., better known as Sugar Ray Robinson, was an American professional boxer who competed from 1940 to 1965. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. He is often regarded as the greatest boxer of all time, pound-for-pound.
Robinson in 1947
Jimmy Doyle (bottom) being helped up from the canvas by three unidentified men following his match against Sugar Ray Robinson. Doyle died hours later in a Cleveland hospital.
Robinson, Madison Square Garden, 1966
Robinson on Land of the Giants in 1969