This week in 1966
HEAVYWEIGHT greats risking their health and legacies in illadvised comeback fights may feel like a modern phenomenon, but in this week in 1966, word had it that Rocky Marciano was set to risk his perfect 49-0 record with a ring return at age 43.
Although Rocky would have been 15 years younger than Holyfield was reader Joseph Simon on our letters page. “Does Marciano, at the age of 43, seriously believe he can beat any top contender, let alone Clay? He is supposed to have had three private fights and forced all three into retirement. If this is true, it still wouldn’t mean anything because I believe two of the boxers to be Wayne Bethea and Bob Foster. Both second-raters. Marciano was the best of his day and I hope he doesn’t dent his image by choosing to follow Jim Jeffries.”
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