A One-Two Punch of Marciano and Ali

This is the anniversary of milestone victories for two heavyweight boxing champions:

* In 1951, Rocky Marciano was a reluctant victor over Joe Louis, drawing the curtain on the popular former champion’s career and launching his own drive to the title.

* In 1970, Muhammad Ali, after 3 1/2 years of exile from boxing, came back with a rousing victory over California Irishman Jerry Quarry.

In ‘51, Marciano, 27 and only 187 pounds, was a narrow favorite over Louis, 37 and 212 1/2.

Louis was a hanger-on, in debt and hoping for one final big-money title fight. Marciano was a rock-hard slugger who was unbeaten and had registered 32 knockouts in his 37 wins.

Marciano was ahead on all cards when, in the eighth round, he dropped Louis for a mandatory eight-count. Louis had just regained his feet when Marciano drove him into the ropes with a left, then knocked him through the ropes, flat on his back, with a brutal right hand.

“I hated to do it to him,” Marciano said later.

It was the first time Louis had been stopped in a fight since Max Schmeling knocked him out in 1936.

Marciano won the heavyweight title 11 months later.

In 1970, Ali was a 17-5 favorite after his 43-month layoff, the result of his refusal to submit to the Army draft and subsequent sanctions imposed by boxing organizations.

Rusty? Not in the least. With all his punches working in perfect symmetry, victory was never in doubt. The fight was stopped after three rounds by Quarry’s corner. Quarry’s right eyelid had been nearly torn off.

Ali got a title fight with Joe Frazier five months later, but lost. He didn’t win the title back until 1974, when he knocked out George Foreman.

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Also on this date: In 1931, Charles A. Comiskey, a 19th century major leaguer for 13 seasons and later owner of the Chicago White Sox, died at 72.