Born: Thomas Rocco Barbella
Middleweight Champion 1947-48
Though Rocky Graziano often found himself embroiled in controversy during his boxing career, he emerged as one of the most popular fighters of the 1940's and early '50's. Born in New York City, Graziano overcame an impoverished, delinquent boyhood to become the middleweight champion of the world. After a stint in reform school, Graziano entered the Metropolitan AAU boxing tournament in New York as a replacement for another fighter. Graziano won the tournament-his first organized boxing experience. Graziano served time in prison at Riker's Island and later, while in the Army, in military prison for striking an officer.
The Boxing Register