Brockton welcomes local boy who made good. More than 25,000 persons , the leading citizens of Brockton , turned out to give Rocky Marciano a hero's welcome on his return to the hometown following his recent victory over former heavyweight champion Joe Louis in New York. Rocky is standing up in the car waving to his admirers during the welcoming parade . 12 November 1951,Image: 348576572, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: TopFoto.co.uk / Topfoto / Profimedia

Rocky Marciano waves as his motorcade is temporarily delayed by the crowd of people who turned out to greet him Nov. 10, 1951 in Brockton, Mass., his first time home since he defeated Joe Louis in Madison Square Garden. The 26 -year-old prize fighter, was given the biggest welcome party the city has ever seen.,Image: 600988845, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: This content is intended for editorial use only. For other uses, additional clearances may be required., Model Release: no, Credit line: Bill Chaplis / AP / Profimedia

Rocky Marciano is greeted by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Marchegiano, at muncipial airport in Brockton, Mass., on November 10, 1952, upon his first visit home since defeating former world champion Joe Louis.,Image: 601408214, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: This content is intended for editorial use only. For other uses, additional clearances may be required., Model Release: no, Pictured: ROCKY MARCIANO; ROCCO FRANCIS MARCHEGIANO; PETER MARCHEGIANO; MRS. MARCHEGIANO, Credit line: AP / AP / Profimedia

Wearing patches over small cuts above and below his discolored right eye, Rocky Marciano, victor over former heavyweight champ Joe Louis, manages a big smile as he flexes his arms in his New York hotel, Oct 27, 1951. Marciano belted Joe Louis out of the ring in the eighth round to win by a knockout.,Image: 600988814, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: This content is intended for editorial use only. For other uses, additional clearances may be required., Model Release: no, Pictured: Joe Louis,Rocky Marciano;, Credit line: Tom Fitzsimmons / AP / Profimedia

Joe Louis, left, former heavyweight champion, and Rocky Marciano are shown during the 3rd round of their bout at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Oct. 26, 1951. Marciano, contender from Brookton, Mass., won by TKO in 2:36 of 8th round.,Image: 569897363, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: This content is intended for editorial use only. For other uses, additional clearances may be required. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN RESCANNED AT VERY HIGH RESOLUTION. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR AP IMAGES REPRESENTATIVE TO RECEIVE THIS HI RES FILE., Model Release: no, Pictured: JOE LOUIS ROCKY MARCIANO, Credit line: - / AP / Profimedia

Joe Louis suffers a knockout at the hands of Rocky Marciano in 8th round of the fight in Madison Square Garden, New York City, Oct. 26, 1951. Referee Ruby Goldstein waves Rocky away while at the same time signaling the end of the fight.,Image: 600988685, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: This content is intended for editorial use only. For other uses, additional clearances may be required., Model Release: no, Pictured: Joe Louis,Rocky Marciano; Joe Louis; Ruby Goldstien, Credit line: Anonymous / AP / Profimedia

This is how former heavyweight champ Joe Louis went down for the first time in his bout with Rocky Marciano in New York's Madison Square Garden Oct.26, 1951. Marciano, from Brockton, Mass. has just landed a hard left hook on the eighth round and stares at the Brown Bomber.,Image: 600988687, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: This content is intended for editorial use only. For other uses, additional clearances may be required., Model Release: no, Pictured: Joe Louis,Rocky Marciano; Joe Louis;, Credit line: Anonymous / AP / Profimedia

His right eye swollen and cut, Rocky Marciano, unbeaten heavyweight, cocks both of this fists in the dressing room as he shows how he nailed Joe Louis in the eight round of their scheduled 10-rounder in New York's Madison Square Garden, Oct. 26, 1951.,Image: 600988844, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: This content is intended for editorial use only. For other uses, additional clearances may be required., Model Release: no, Pictured: Joe Louis,Rocky Marciano;, Credit line: Anonymous / AP / Profimedia