Statue of boxing great Rocky Marciano unveiled in Brockton

BROCKTON, Mass. Thousands of people turned out Sunday in Brockton for the unveiling of a statue of boxing champion [Rocky Marciano].

A crowd of 7,000 watched a large crane lift a large piece of tarp off of the 24-foot tall statue about 3:15 p.m. outside the city's football stadium that also bears Marciano's name.

Family and friends of the heavy weight champ said they were moved by the outcome of support.

"I was getting very teared up today," said son, Rocky Marciano Jr. "It’s a city that he always loved and a city that always loved him."

"Sixty years later and he's still a popular person,” said brother, Peter Marciano. “I'm so proud of what he did and so proud of what he still stands for -- work hard, have a dream, go after it and be relentless.

Some of the biggest names in boxing history were on hand for the statue unveiling including Thomas Hearns, Larry Holmes, Evander Holyfield, Mickey Ward and John Ruiz. Renowned promoter Don King and Jose Sulaiman, head of the World Boxing Council, were also in attendance.

"Being from the state of Massachusetts -- Brockton -- everyone in Massachusetts and throughout the world looked up to him and I was one of them,” said Ward.

The $250,000 statue was a gift from the World Boxing Council.

Marciano, who died in a 1969 plane crash in Iowa, is the only heavyweight to retire undefeated at 49-0. He would have been 89 on Sept. 1.

"Rocky Marciano gave this message to us and it is going to be one that is everlasting,” said King. “You're in it to win it, you can't give in. You can't give up."

Source:  suljos.com/wbcVersEng/index.php