Free extension for sports fans
Advertisement
Advertisement

Rocky Marciano Bleeds, Then Crushes Ezzard Charles

Rocky Marciano defended the heavyweight championship against Ezzard Charles on September 17, 1954, surviving a gruesomely split nose before producing one of the most savage

Published: Thursday, 17 September 2026 at 6:17 AM
Rocky Marciano Bleeds, Then Crushes Ezzard Charles
Key Things to Know
  • Rocky Marciano defended the undisputed heavyweight title against Ezzard Charles on September 17, 1954.
  • Marciano entered the bout with a 46-0 record and knocked Charles down in the second round.
  • Charles entered the rematch weighing 192.5 pounds, seven pounds heavier than their first encounter.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Undefeated heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano defended his title against Ezzard Charles on September 17, 1954, at Yankee Stadium. Charles entered the rematch weighing 192.5 pounds, attempting to become the first former champion to regain the heavyweight crown. Marciano knocked Charles down in the second round and exerted persistent pressure throughout the contest.

The bout shifted dramatically in the sixth round when Marciano suffered a severely split nostril that caused heavy bleeding. Despite the gruesome injury and the risk of a stoppage, Marciano continued an aggressive assault and left Charles reeling by the end of the seventh round.

Advertisement

Never Miss a Sports Update

Get the latest sports news and top stories from MySportsTab delivered straight to your inbox.

No spam. Just the latest sports news and updates.