ROCKY MARCIANO - CONTRACT SIGNED 01/27/1969 - HFSID 350621

ROCKY MARCIANO
The Brockton Blockbuster signs loan document just seven months before his death.
Partly Printed DS: "Rocky Marciano", 1p, 8½ x 13¾. Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 1969 January 27. Commercial Promissory Note No. 27938 between Marciano and The American National Bank and Trust Company of Fort Lauderdale for $5,000 at seven percent interest. The note was payable 91 days after the date of signing.  World Heavyweight Boxing Champion from 1952-1956, Rocky Marciano (1923-1969) signed this unsecured loan just seven months before he died in an airplane crash. The stocky, hard-punching Marciano began boxing while in the U.S. Army during WWII. Turning professional in 1947, "The Brockton Blockbuster" battled his way up to a championship fight with then champ "Jersey Joe" Walcott on September 23, 1952. Down by points going into the 13th round, Marciano needed a knockout to win the heavyweight crown; he smashed a short, right-hand punch onto the chin of Walcott, knocking him unconscious and into the former-champion category. Marciano's devastating right-hand became the most-feared punch in boxing; his aggressive tactics and ability to take a punch made him invincible during his professional career. "The Rock" knocked out most contenders while completely dominating the division. Marciano defended his title six times and retired in top form, at the age of 32, with a perfect record of 49 wins and no losses, including an iron-fisted 43 knockouts. Stamp nicks the "k" in Rocky. Ink and pencil notes (unknown hand) at upper margin. Fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 25½ x 23½. Accompanied by PSA/DNA LOA.