By DJ Rankins
Brockton is well known within the boxing community, but many outsiders don’t realize the city's importance in this sport.
One of their boxers is “The Brockton Blockbuster” Rocky Marciano.
Marciano was born in Brockton and was one of the few professional boxers to retire with an undefeated record.
He finished his career with a record of 49-0 and 43 knockouts and was rated by Ring Magazine as a top 15 puncher in the history of the sport.
Cappiello's boxing gym, located on 162 Main St, has just hosted its 25th annual Rocky Marciano Boxing Tournament.
Owners Mike and Rich Cappiello moved their gym from Easton to downtown Brockton, in 2009, in order to honor their career, Marciano. Pictures of Marciano can be seen on the walls of the gym.
Mike, an instructor at the gym, said that his love for boxing along with why they honored the late boxing legend. He said that they hope to encourage a new generation of boxers.
“The beginning of our love for boxing began with our father, he always had fights going on in the family room. Rich and I would watch every fight and become so engulfed in the sport, he said.
Throughout the years, the gym owners have made improvements to the gym to attract more boxers that seek to follow in the footsteps of Marciano.
Marciano was not the only professional boxer to be born and raised in the city of Brockton, “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler also joined him.
Hagler finished his career with a 62-3 record with 52 knockouts, similar stats to the great Rocky Marciano.
There are many boxing gyms within the Brockton area that have honored both Marciano and Hagler.
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