- Was Bob Baker, Rocky's true, final, logical 50th 1956 Pro Opponent?  
	   	- What was happening with boxing in the 1950's? Who was the top dog 'The Rock' did not whip? Why?
       ===========================================================================================================


THIS CHAPTER IS PART OF 2013 & UPDATED 2022 AWARD WINNER BOOK: LUBEK'S THREELOGY, SWEET SCIENCE II, AVAILABLE TO BUY ON:
https://www.trafford.com/BookStore/BookDetails/499580-lubeks-threelogy-the-sweet-science-2

Abbreviations of names used in this story: RM=Rocky Marciano, BB/BBB=Bob Baker 

	Who was 'BB,' The Grinder,' 'Belt 'Em,' 'Big Bob The Behemoth' Robert Baker? 
Say What Now, Baker who, ha ?!? Who was this great boxer of the 1950s, 1949-1960?
Why did he not get a shot at Rock's title? Did he deserve it?
Was he some gourmet baker or cake decorator or boxer named Baker? There is a lot to 
say on Rocky's 50th only, authentic, legitimate, logical opponent left. That's right boys and gals,
Bob Baker should have been Rocky's final logical, #1 opponent (in the first half) of 1956, period. 
'Logical opponent' is the most appropriate term to describe the top challenger status
but boxing organizations no longer use that term, neither does crappy Ring Magazine.
It should always be used in all sports rankings, in all eras. Today, it's not in use as before.
Baker's average fighting weight was 220 lbs (around 100 kg), once he scaled 230 lbs.
He was at least 6'2 in height (188 cm was/is pretty tall), true heavyweight for any era.
Why was Baker Rocky's only acceptable final opponent for his 50th pro fight? 
The fight was to be fought sometime between January 1st and February 3rd 1956, 
but January 5th (1/5=50) after all the probe, I surely consider it the most 
suitable, probable Rocky's 50th fight day (January 4 comes close)
February 3rd (aka Rocky's Day 2.3.56, 12 heavyweights fought only 
on this night that was broadcast from east coast to west coast
1.5.56 fights were shown only around California area) scrap at Madison Square Garden 
aka MSG might have been most profitable to all the involved parties but Rocky 
was tired of fighting for Norris IBC group and feared of getting exploited again by scavengers.
Dirty 'under the table' dealings in any sport did not change much to this day,
but that's human nature. One can have knowledge but have no wisdom, in any area of an era.

	For at least ten months (4/1955-2/1956), the top heavyweight contender was Bob Baker 
(excluding perennial, 'Old Mongoose' Archie Moore who said the only time he lost
steam was in the Marciano fight) who was by himself on top of the boxing world.
He was the only outstanding boxer left (received an honorable mention from the National 
Boxing Association, known as NBA). Outstanding boxer was title NBA gave to
top quality fighters but there could only be one logical opponent in each division.
Honorable mention did not bring an automatic shot at the tile but it 
sent a powerful statement, how good somebody was.
Bob was already mentioned as an outstanding boxer in March of 1955 
and after knocking out dangerous Willie James, Baker (sometimes Duane Bobick was 
compared to Bob Baker. Duane won his first 19 fights by knockouts) was considered 
dangerous, serious threat to La Roca's, Rock's title. Baker became recognizable
as a mustachioed boxer/slugger. He has been in and out most of his career,
because somewhat cripple/broken hands have sidelined him time and time again and for awhile 
it was thought he would have to give up boxing for good. Mostly, 
he kept on fracturing the same bones, thus requiring longer healing intervals.
BB always prefered to fight with his 'lucky gloves' on but that tactic seldom 
helped him in his later pro career (1949-1960).

	After many months of critical thinking, analysis, research, careful examinations, 
the Rocky Memorial group came to conclusion in September of 2006 that 
Bob Baker definitely should have been Rocky Marciano's true, logical,
final, #1 opponent in 1956, during their primes. How come the fight 
never came to fruition ? Was the legendary Rock scared of getting     
beat up by some Baker, the 'Grinding Machine' ? Possibly, but that's unlikely;
If it's a good payday, worrying about what could go wrong is rarely an option. 
Boxers who worry what could happen should not choose this cruel profession in 
the first place, maybe they could stay amateurs but keep their day jobs (be grateful for advice). 

After an honorable discharge from the Navy where he served 3 years, 
BB turned his attention to amateur boxing. To make a living he worked at the 
local steel factory. It was beneficial in more than one way, it paid the bills 
& improved his strength & stamina. His amateur boxing was stellar & very impressive, 
along the way he won many titles. Bob Baker's amateur record is 33-2. One controversial 
split decision loss (it should have been drawn) was to Coley Wallace on 
March 3 1948, in the Golden Gloves finals. Before he also lost to Bill Bangert
in the semi-final of the National AAU. in 1949, Bangert made the semi-final
of the Chicago Golden Gloves Tournament.
In a rematch, also in New York on March 9 1949, Baker returned the favor by defeating Wallace, 
thus seizing the competitive 1949 New York Golden Gloves Tournament of 
Champions & avenging his loss. BB also won the fierce 1947 Pittsburgh 
Golden Gloves heavyweight championship. Baker's amateur career was a 
stellar one! He was virtually unbeatable!
He did well especially in NY & PA. He defeated "wild" Desry Sykes for 
the 1949 Intercity Golden Gloves Championship. In 1950, Baker was succeeded by 
talented Norvel Lee. He won all the 1949 tournaments he was in. Lee was one of the greatest 
American amateur boxers. He won the gold medal as light heavyweight in the 1952 Olympics.
Between 1949 & 1952, he won all the tournaments he participated in. He was also 
a pioneer of the American 'Unequal Civil Rights' movement. It emerged long 
before the emergence of Rosa Parks, who was not the only black person to refuse a seat 
to a white person in 1955, there were other black folks before her. 
In 1948, he was arrested in his hometown of Covington, KY for riding 
in an all white bus. He became one of the first blacks 
to be arrested for such unspeakable "crime."

	After winning the most important 1949 tournaments, Baker was beaming with confidence
in himself, in his skills. Baker was now 'ready teddy' to rock n roll to fight as a pro.
In 1949 alone, between April & December he had 11 pro fights. There are some speculations 
It's possible BB also lost an amateur scrap to Jimmy Gambino but where is the proof? 
I would not trust old newspapers who had low circulation because many times
they have incomplete, partial and/or incorrect information (same goes for all the media).
Jimmy's life is another sad boxing story in itself. After retirement 
Jimmy had his legs amputated. To supplement his income, for the last 20+ 
years of his life, he sold T-shirts & socks in front of many stores, his home, 
in front of a tailor shop, in front of local John's Pizzeria. He was a much 
loved fixture on Bleecker street. Gambiano was one of those people who died 
or were born on New Year's Day (1.1.1934-3.23.2003).

	Baker was also known as the 'Big, Burly Negro, Pittsburgh Heavyweight Battler'. 
At the time 6'2 height was pretty sizable & he was pretty muscular too. In the amateurs 
Coley had lots of luck & talent, he also defeated future great Clarence Henry. After winning 
golden gloves championships, Bob was on his way up and his start was promising and 
inspiring, he accumulated many wins & as explained, he was undefeated in his first
26 fights. Many of those wins came by way of knockouts.
That rare accomplishment gave Baker worldwide recognition. But the ladder,                              
elevator of & to success was not to go to the top, it blossomed but it did 
not bring full fruit nor plentiful harvest. Baker also defeated Wallace two times as a pro. 
Wallace is mostly remembered today for playing Joe Louis in the Joe Louis 
biographical movies & for questionable win over Rocky in the amateurs.

	Baker was the top rated fighter & challenger for Rocky's crown from 
April 1955 to February 1956. That's a whopping period of 10 months in the 
unstable boxing world. Only Moore and Baker were officially considered 
Rocky's true & logical opponents in 1955 & during the first quarter of 1956 but Baker was #1.
Some unorthodox pundits wonder if Rocky had actually taken on Baker and won, 
would it have been an easy task ?!? That's a wrong presumption, wrong way to look
at things/events; all the "pundits," the critics are dead wrong. The bottom line is: 
At the beginning of his career Baker won 26 straight bouts (aka double Baker's dozen), 
then through most of 1954 and all of 1955 he was undefeated, winning 13 straight 
competitive fights, aka Baker's Dozen. Nobody won as many fights in a row except 
Floyd Patterson who won 14 straight after beating Slade on 12/8/55, 
but he officially fought as light heavyweight. 
Willie Pastrano came in second with 11 straight wins as of November 1955, 
12 straight as of June 1956, before losing to Satterfield.
After losing to Archie Moore in 1954, Bob did not lose until 1956 and the 
February & September bouts should have been a draw. Interestingly, after Baker defeated 
Baksi in May 1954, Baksi's manager Leo Feureisen, 56 years old, collapsed at ringside 
& died. He was pronounced dead in the dressing room. After losing to Moore,
Baker never lost by a KO or TKO again. That's also an achievement in itself, 
proving he became resilient and durable. Most of other fighters, worldwide, 
99% of them were stopped by TKO. In 1955, he was the second best boxer in the world 
and in his prime. After losing to Moore, Bob took some time off to plan & all 
rejuvenated & ready, In Philadelphia, Bob gave Jimmy Slade 
a one sided lacing, whipping and whopping he had never forgotten.

	Baker did not have much of a big mouth like Ali did but just like Ali
experts insisted Baker possessed the fastest hands in boxing. He should have 
been passionate & outspoken about it. Baker did not go around the country demanding it and bad mouthing Rocky 
like Archie Moore did, Baker's manager did not do much to get a shot at 
the title. Just like Cus Amato & Floyd, maybe he was awaiting Rocky's retirement? 
The main reason for Rocky's retirement is that Floyd's manager, Weill
wanted Rocky to go on a tour until Floyd bacme heavyweight contender. He had enough.
He thought (allegedly) that once Rocky is gone, Baker will have better 
chance of winning it. That was the wrong illusion. Baker himself should have
retired in 1958 after knocking out Waban Thomas in Charlotte, North Carolina,
it was his last KO. BB would retire after 3 more bouts, losing all of them on points.
	The only meaningful fight Baker had in 1956 was against John Holman in May.
It was the most important fight in his career, it was the title elimination encounter.
That fight was already scheduled by NBA & IBC before Rocky announced his 
retirement. On April 18th 1956, Norris arranged a Holman-Baker elimination match 
and was working on Floyd-Jackson match, the eventual winner was to be proclaimed 
Rocky's foe or new champ. It's a shame Baker had to lose to Jackson  
on February 3rd, otherwise Rocky would not dare retire before facing him.
I keep on talking about the early 1956 BB-RM fight but who is to say Rocky would not 
have fought Baker or anybody else if good money was offered ? The February 3rd was a great 
day for it. New York did not have any Friday night fights from January 6th and the 
build up to the fight would have been pretty enormous. IBC desperately wanted
to improve its sinking image & persona. If Baker had beaten Jackson, he would have 
improved to 45-5-1, if he had drawn (which should have been), he would be 45-5-2, 
then if he beat John Holman (which he convincingly did), his record would improve 
to 46-5-2. Either way, that's 15 impressive straight victories against the best of his era. 
Archie Moore was out of the picture for a while since he was moved back to the light-heavyweight 
division. On December 7th 1955, Baker defeated Nino Valdez in Cleveland, OH during Cleveland's 
annual Christmas show. This was Baker's 50th pro fight. His record improved to 44-5-1
45-5 is a respectable record, that's a ratio of 10:1, or a loss in every 10 bouts.
Before the fight both Baker and Marciano had 49 professional fights. Rocky & Bob could
have arranged to fight this day, billing it as 'The Night of Dueling 50s!!!'
This would have been Rocky's third fight of 1955. His record would improve to
golden 50-0-0. He could take 1956 for elimination tournament for his next opponent
and "come out of retirement" to defend his title once more around New Year's Day 1957.
It is interesting to note if Rocky won his 50th fight on points, his knockout
percentage would go down to 86%. If he had won his 50th fight, his knockout percentage would
increase exactly to 88%. Also if Rocky fought in 1957, his career as pro boxer 
would have been decade long: 1947 - 1957. Rocky's longevity is otherwise 1946 - 1956.
In 1946, he fought as an amateu and in 1956, he had exhibitions in Brazil.

Crappy wikipedia aka wiki-PEDO-ia, part of lousy Wikimedia Foundation aka Wikimedia Disinformation
Same goes boxrec.com who refused to correct Hurricane's Jackson Height from 
6'2 to 6'2 and had Rocky Graziano's birthday wrong for a very long time despite
thousands of requests to correct their boxrecignorance. 
Both wikipedia aka wikicrapia and boxrec aka boxrecrapia articles show 
Rocky's fighting career between 1947 and 1955. They are full of
crap and they have mistakes all over as is succinctly proven and these forever
archived links (wikihomopedoidiots would like to delete or better yet cremate) 
archive.is/Y0BB, archive.is/R8k6V, archive.is/XSEXQ is just a drop in the ocean.
They (usually senior editors and administrators like antandrus, javaHurricane, SHB2000, tuvalkin, jeff G., et al) only display total disregard 
for others (especially newbies) with their patented predetermined 
wikignorance, wikiarrogance, wikicontradictions, wikistupidity, wikihypocrisy which equals to
wikioccultism and why wikipedia.org/wikimedia.org (boxrec.com's ignorance: archive.is/SWioW Tommy Hurricane Jackson's real height is 6'4) 
should never, ever be supported or sponsored in any ways, shape or form as yet again succinctly proven why: archive.is/2NgXW
YES, WIKICRAP MUST HAPPEN 24/7 ON WIKIPEDOIA OTHERWISE IT WOULD NOT BE "FREE ENCYCLOPEDIA!!!"

If you want to have a decade long boxing record (or any longevity record in anything that you do). 
you must fight for a certain number of years + one day... I always wondered what my Venerable
Grandma Wanda Wladyslawa Nida ment when she said she was so and so old... On April 6 2008
she said she was 86 years & one day old and that she was 87. I said, 'No, you are 86,'
but later on I realized she was right, she began her 87th year. So let's say you
live like preacher Billy Graham 1918 - 2018... One may think when he died he was 100
but he did not make it to 100. Without exact dates to be sure somebody is so and
so you have to add one year. So if Billy Graham lived from 1918 to 2019, one
who does not know his birthday would be certain he made it at least to 100.
Grandma had great (mathematical) logic... Here is rationalist vs empiricist situation
or in a way deductive vs inductive reasoning she used to reach a conclusion (to infer).
She asked me if I wanted to eat half an apple she prepared
for me of entire apple... I said: ``Just give me a greater or larger half!" She corrected me... 
'There is no such thing as a greater/bigger half. You are talking
about two equal parts in size and proportion. There are only two halfs 
and each half equals the other half or one part is equal to another part!'

The Cleveland Annual Christmas show usually started after Thanksgiving Day,  
on the first Tuesday or Wednesday of the first week of December.
The December 7 fight was not impressive and therefore nobody wanted 
Baker to fight Rocky. BUT THEY WERE ALL WRONG. Either way he truly 
deserved a shot at the Rock, no matter if December 1955 was bad, 
Baker won a rematch of the 1953 victory. Period! 

	Bob Baker was 1950's leading boxer; he was a precise tactician, 
technician & strategist and I am sure he would have surely
given Rocky boxing lessons in the first half of the match. Nobody can figure out 
why Baker & Valdez fought so badly when the prize was a coveted shot at the 
heavyweight title. Did they try to avoid mistakes, be on the defensive not 
on the offensive ? At the time it was suggested that neither one wanted to 
fight Marciano because of the beatings they might have sustained ? Or did they
simply wanted to wait out for Rocky to retire, thus giving them better chances 
of becoming champions later on ? If so, that was a bad choice, they both lost the chance 
of ever again becoming world heavyweight champions. But there is no real evidence 
to support these claims. In the locker room, however, Valdez was cursing 
in Spanish at Rocky for not giving him a chance at the title when he won 
11 straight and when he was the logical opponent between 1954 & 1956.
Baker simply and honestly said he had no excuses for his performance. 
But who knows what he was really thinking... Was it psychological pressure ?
Then again, Rocky is not directly to blame, but indirectly. Everybody is to 
be blamed somewhat... Rocky did not want to fight for peanuts, of course. 
It was Al Weill who arranged the match with Don Cockell instead of Valdez 
because Cockell was United Kingdom's heavyweight champion and he was 
more profitable (even a rematch was suggested) I wonder why NBA 
(original National Boxing Association) did not step in and demand 
title shot against Valdez first. Valdez's team was unsuccessful of blocking 
the fight, Cockell was second rated but he was not the logical opponent. 
If Valdez had defeated Baker on that faithful December 7th night, 
he would have been top rated and Rocky's logical opponent. 
Thus the only fighter left to face Rocky was Bob Satterfield. 
But on January 11th 1956, John Holman defeated Bob Satterfield by a KO. Satterfield 
defeated both Baker and Valdez before. By beating him, Holman beat top contenders 
who in turn beat previously mentioned fighters and other top contenders. 
Holman was not beaten by Moore but his record was not impressive.
If Satterfield had won, he would have become Rocky's logical opponent. 
Did Rocky refuse to fight his 50th pro fight because of bad back 
& injury prone/vulnerable nose ? No, Rocky's bad back is not one of the reasons 
(as many had thought, including yours truly) why he quit so rudely & abruptly.

	Baker should have agreed to face somebody other than Hurricane in 1956, 
who was in his prime. The winner of the fight could have faced Rocky by October. 
Baker should have demanded a rematch with Satterfield. The winner could have been
Rocky's mandatory challenger.
Jim Norris of IBC wanted to match Hurricane Jackson (Spartan type, from Sparta, Georgia) 
against Patterson, but Floyd did not agree to it before knowing what Rocky would do first. 
Assuming Rocky did not retire... Here's the best scenario... Baker beats 
Holman. He must face Archie Moore or Hurricane Jackson. Moore or Jackson win. 
Then Rocky must face Jackson, fans don't want Moore anymore, the outcome is obvious. 
Rocky vs Jackson... I thought about that... nothing but slaughter.
Rocky would have hurt him. Jackson was an OK fighters but very undisciplined, 
He did not care if he got hurt. This way he lost some decisions he could
have won. He would not have scored much on Rocky, he would have been turned
into minced meat. No doubt, lots of action. Baker would have
troubled Marciano a little with his size & pretty lightning fast hand 
speed (his hand & body movements were second to Floyd at that time) to go
along with his solid boxing skills. However, Baker had a semi vulnerable chin and his
guard, defense was not always on the money. Rocky was much more polished,
so he would have eluded many of Baker's blows and counter at
all angles with vicious punches, many to the body. The 1956 Marciano
fight would have been more of an attrition type fight, his non-stop work rate
and volume of punishing punches would take the life out of beaten Bob Baker,
Bakers' hands, unfortunately, from many bouts, were somewhat brittle and hurting.
Marciano would end the fight in the 11th with an overhand right bomb.
Baker in turn, all he has to do is try to avoid KO. Then he simply piles up points
on Rocky and takes him to school, especially in the first 6 rounds. Baker
may still lose later on, at the most in the 14th but again, Baker was a 
precise technician and skilled boxer. Baker got rematch with Hurricane on 
September 26 1956, on his turf. An outcome was a mere joke, it was fixed, 
it was a predetermined result. BB did not lose that fight, both Hurricane 
fights should have been drawn. Baker got screwed yet again. Unfortunately BB
bet & lost his entire purse of 33 000$ on the outcome of the rematch in his hometown 
of Pittsburgh, PA. 12 700 fans attended. Jackson defeated Baker with long left jabs & rights,
Bob Baker nailed Hurricane by hooks. Hurricane's fighting was unorthodox as always 
(live by the gun, die by the gun) threw many wild punches but Baker's punches were more
on the target. United Press supposedly scored 7-5 for BB. A poll of 13 ringside writers 
favored BB 9-4. Most of the fans booed the judges, and the decision was surprising to them.
It's obvious people like Norris, Wirtz, Gibson, IBC had their fingerprints 
all over the outcome. No doubt Amato was very happy his Boy Floy' did not
have to fight BB. All these opportunists did not want their man Jackson (he was
not exclusively owned by IBC lie Rocky was) to lose an opportunity to bring the title back 
to IBC and their cronies (Blinky Palermo, Frankie Carbo). 
Also if Floyd lost, he'd no longer be profitable, and would not draw large crowds.
It's important to remember that at that time IBC was under federal 
investigation for monopoly, extortion, fixing fights and other criminal 
debauchery and other offenses. Cus Amato did not want anything to do 
with IBC and his boy Floyd was fortunately sponsored by other organizers.
That was a wise decision, especially that J. Helfand, New York's sports/athletic
commissioner dissolved New York's Boxing Guild in the middle of January 1956.
IBC tried to get the Marciano-Baker match, but in September 1955, his
contract with IBC expired. I am sure tv rights to the New Year's Baker-Marciano
bout (in color) could have been profitable. But, both Baker and Valdez
eliminated themselves. But Baker did not lose, he simply eliminated himself.
The IBC's hopes fell into discard and disarray, of course, when all ringsiders and
televiewers were in almost unanimous accord that the evening's only outstanding
performance was delivered by Referee Tony La Branche, who wound up near
exhaustion after 10 rounds of urging the gladiators to do battle. He continuously
yelled: 'Come on, let's start. Shake it up. Quit holding. Let's see something!"
Before the 7th round he visited the corners of both, advising them to step up
the pace or else. So it came to pass that the IBC at that moment had to forget 
Baker and Valdez as Marciano victims unless Rocky took both of them on as an entry...
Baker's weight was 214, Valdez was 207. Ref LaBranch scored the fight 97-95, judges 
Charley Bill & Herb Williams scored it 99-91 & 98-92 respectively for Baker. The 
associated Press scored the fight 99-90 for Baker but described the fight as a dull 
ten rounder, fought to the tunes of 'Jingle Bells' and 'Let Me Call You Sweetheart'.
The only most active person in that ring was the referee who had to jump around
the place like a kangaroo and separate the mighty gladiators every 5 seconds.
But again that is not true, idiots came up with that notion, the match was pretty exciting.
After the match, in the locker room Valdez was shouting in Spanish 
how Rocky never gave him a shot when he was rated #1 in 1954. Baker simply
and honestly said he had no excuses. One sports writer described the 
fight as neither one of them wanted to fight and they did their best to eliminate
each other. Or was it all psychological pressure, mind control?
Post fight comment by Baker: "Maybe I'll have to fight Archie Moore now
before I get the Marciano shot!"

	An elimination fight could have simply been organized (as mentioned) Baker-Holman 
match instead of Hurricane-Baker on February 3rd 1956 (Friday) at Madison Square 
Garden and call it a day. But at the time Holman was not a top rated heavyweight.
In November 1955, IBC's President Jim Norris was not too happy 
over Rocky's refereeing tour mapped out by his manager Al.
As if sensing Rocky would not return, on November 15, Norris said: 
"I'd rather see Rocky fight in February than in June. He could fight
the winner of the December 7th fight in Cleveland between Valdez & Baker.
They are the top two contenders behind Moore."
Ironically, Norris was totally right. Norris sensed that if Rocky does not fight
by March, he never will. After February, Baker never again regained
the top contender status. He never regained his unique form.
Jim Norris announced the Baker-Hurricane match On January 9th 1956, 
he did not wait for the result of the Holman-Satterfield bout. Bad move ? Heck No !
Baker's weight was 215 lbs, Hurricane was 195 lbs. In the early rounds
of the nationally televised fight it looked like a walk-in for Baker.
But as the bout wore on, Jackson turned on his old swarming tricks, chasing
Baker with his slapping jab and driving home telling right hand punches.
Baker was confused, he simply should have tied Jackson up.
Referee Harry Kessler and Judge Jack Gordon scored the bout for Jackson, 5-4-1
and Judge Joe Agnello had it even in rounds 5-5 and points 5-5. And those
were the supplemental points. This was a very close fight.
Baker's 45-5 record (before Hurricane loss) clearly shows he was a good 
fighter and the best boxing world had to offer. All other Boxers had more 
losses but he did not  have as many wins as Baker, either. He had as many losses too. 
Another thing to remember is... After Baker lost to Archie Moore by TKO in 1954, 
he never again lost by KO or by TKO. Meaning... his body became accustomed to punishment.
This also adds to his contender status as the only 1956 legitimate, logical opponent for Marciano.

	On 9.9.1957, in Toronto, Canada, Baker defeated the future multiple times 
heavyweight contender, the legendary Canadian champ George Chuvalo (12-1 at the time), 
UD in 10 (10/10). This should have been his last fight, but Chuvalo was a little
known name at the time. Chuvalo and Marciano are considered the toughest chins 
in boxing history. George himself was stopped a few times by TKO 
but he was never knocked down to the floor. George Chuvalo was not the only 
boxer who was never knocked down off his feet. There was Billy Graham (1922-1992) 
(not the evangelist) who had that remarkable distinction.
There are many good reasons why they should have made Baker 
the logical contender for Rocky's title. In 2002, at the age of 75, Baker 
died & except for local newspapers, national press did not report on his 
death. When Hurricane Jackson died in 1982 at the age of 50, many papers 
covered his death. If it was not for his 1957 championship fight and luke-warm 
friendship with Floyd, I doubt many papers would have covered his passing too.
In 1957, Baker fought 9 times including bouts against undefeated, red hot Eddie 
In 1957, Baker fought 9 times including bouts against undefeated/untied, red hot 
Eddie Machen & Roy Harris. BB did not choose his opponents wisely, it seems 
money was the main objective & naturally his ranking had to plummet.
At least throughout his entire career he remained bodybuilder, always looking fit.
San Francisco's Machen was a top rated opponent at the beginning of 1957 when he was 20-0. 
Rocky could have waited for him as he destroyed Valdez, Baker, Hurricane, 
Rocky's contemporaries. Another contenders were Johnny Summerlin of Detroit,
Willie Pastrano of New Orleans, future world champion Sonny Liston who was
arrested in May of 1956 for beating some cop. So, even if Liston was to fight
Marciano, he eliminated himself by getting arrested. If Liston did not qualify for the knock out tournament, 
he might not have fought Marciano because at that time he had one split decision loss but 
the fight of the undefeated Marciano-Machen (young lad at the time) would result in an interest. 
Liston returned to the ring 2 years later. Honestly, Liston was the man to beat for a very long time.

	Marciano also wanted 25 000$ extra 'under the table.' The sum of 
25 000$ was a reasonable fair demand! Rocky did not want Weill to keep 
on screwing him out of his earnings. Because of a lousy 25 000$, Rocky retired. 
Of course, there are other reasons but this was the one that sealed the coffin.
As far as him getting screwed by Al, in 1967, Rocky said: "Weill got the dough, 
that SOB, but I'll take one more fight if it could be handled with 
Weill. " As mentioned... Rocky wanted Sam Silverman (Rocky's and Weill's
business acquaintance and promoter) to give him 25 000$ 'under the table' (on the side) 
that Weill would not get cut. Rocky figured 
Weill screwed him big time on the promotion money for the Cockell fight 
and possibly for other bouts, including the Moore fight. Rocky was burned up 
about 10 000$, then he heard Weill had scalped thousands of dollars 
of tickets on his fights. Rocky wanted his cut, but Weill would 
not give him any. Rocky said: "I don't care what it costs me, 
but I'll never fight for this guy again and let him scalp me !!!
They will beg me for a comeback against their new champion in a few years time
when I will be out of shape with a pot-belly, but now, when I am willing to 
fight, they don't want to pay me right." Rocky was right, why make comeback 
against an unpopular champion, possibly creating negative impressions.
Marciano wanted one more fight but he wanted somebody to pay. He simply wanted
25 000$ extra under the table. He did not want Al Weill, his manager, to get
another half of his purse. Because of a lousy 25 000$, Rocky retired. Of course,
there are other reasons but this was the one that sealed his decision on April 27 1956.Rocky was physically fit to fight on the highest level for 2 more years and the Moore fight was his prime.
Rocky's and Cockell's fight co-promoter Jimmy Murray screwed them too. I'M speculating he was on the deal with Weill. The lengthy investigation in L.A. 
began on a noisy note when Murray was investigated in regards to
the $10 000 he paid himself from the Cockell-Marciano fight. 
Then on April 22 new ratings came out and for the fifth straight time the NBA said
Rocky did not have a logical contender. Actually, he had one -BBB.

	Another, really forgotten fighter who might have deserved a shot
at the title is fellow countryman, Italian champion and multiple
European heavyweight contender Franco Cavicchi...
He was rated top ten a few times. But since he never fought in America,
he never had a chance to show his real skills, he is not the only one, justice
denied... No doubt, an overlooked fighter. Mainly, because he was in Italy and 
all of his fights were in Italy and some all over Europe. As we know in 
December of 1955 Baker was top rated fighter, but Franco was only 
ninth rated. He had a fine record, maybe because it was the quality of his opposition?
FRANCO HAD A BETTER RECORD THAN BAKER. Baker was 45-5 = 50:5=10, 
meaning: on average, Baker only lost one in 10 fights. Franco's record was 40-3-2 = 45:3=15, 
meaning Franco only lost one in 15 fights in his career. NBA/IBC, somebody 
should have matched Baker and Franco, the winner gets a shot at Rocky. A final
fight in Italy would have been very interesting, rare & something new.
We can blame many for not arranging Rocky's final fight but that is in the distant
past. Look how many worse mistakes than these happen today and nobody even
writes one word on the world's injustices. Past is almost impossible to change, however
unknown things could be discovered, thus history could be properly rewritten.

	Baker was perfect in his first 26 bouts, he had one draw against 
bulky, chulky Kid Rivera, "the Enforcer." Rivier fought out of Chicago from 1944 to 1952, ending up
with a respectable record of 30 wins; 12 by KO, 9 losses; 5 by KO & 2 by draws.
He was one of the fastest & cleverest big men in the 1940s & 1950s. He fought
many of the top heavyweights of the era, beating most of them.
He won 3 of his last fights. His real name was James Williams.
In that fight there were no knockdowns, Rivera was the aggressor all the way.
How many boxers do that at any time or in any era or in any boxing 
weight category ? As an amateur Riviera only lost one fight. 
Baker's first pro loss was to another top fighter of the 1950s boxing,
Clarence Henry, another largely forgotten fighter today.
This goes to show how society & people are corrupt, egocentric, egoistic. 
Baker was leading on all score cards but in the 8th round, he was surprised 
with a thunder punch and he was kissing the floor. Baker's management is fully to 
blame, Baker only had 10 days in between these fights to get ready and 
everybody knew Henry was a master boxer. Doh! Baker was exhausted from the Riviera fight.
Baker should have won this fight and extended his winnings to 27-0! Baker did not deserve
to lose this fight because of the manager's stupidity and ignorance. Idle mind is the 
playground of the fools, I always say. I teach (and you should also) 
the ignorant to see the light. They knew Henry was a big name fighter but they 
chose to fight because the event was held at Madison Square Garden, the fight was
broadcasted on national TV and the pay-day was good. 
It seems, this was a short call notice. Speaking of short,
Bob Baker had very good results against the short guys.
I am sure Baker would have extended his winning streak until 30-0 After 
this loss Baker did not fight for almost a year. Upon his return,
He fought a series of matches against Billy Gilliam, winning 3 and losing 1.
These fights were meant to warm him up. He was lucky in last fight, his
close split decision victory came by means of supplemental scoring.
If it wasn't for his two losses to Henry, at that time, Baker would have been 
the mandatory/logical challenger for Walcott's title.      

	Even before the 1950's ended, boxing lost interest and entered another 
corrupt era which included proteins, steroids, among other screwy things. 
I noticed from the beginning to the end, corrupt individuals control it 
(e.g. Don King too, thinking of profits first, not its image, of course but he 
would beg to differ, then again boxing is about making dough, a cruel and sorry business).
Waiting for over a year for an opponent is not a good idea. It's like
retiring and coming out of retirement. Especially for a slugger and swarmer 
like Rocky is. Rocky, Weill, NBA, IBC should have had Baker-Valdez fight 
on October 28th, signed Baker for the January 1956 fight and called it a day.
New Year's Day commemorates the old year and begins a new one with invigorating 
hope for a better tomorrow. In Japan many stores are closed between
December 29th & up to January 5th. It's country's biggest national holiday,
This period is known as Shogatsu Sanganichi & it's considered sacred period.
Officially it's celebrated from January 1 to January 3. Japanese people
make offerings on these days in their temples or shrines, hoping to receive
blessings for life's gravel road journeys; after all, life is a pilgrimage.
 
	Baker was born on 10.26.1926 in Canonsburg, PA; died on 4.23.2002 in 
Pittsburgh, PA (where he started his boxing career). He was 75.5. 
No major newspaper wrote anything of importance on him,
nobody properly remembered him, forgetting that he was one of the top contenders in the 1950s. 
Some sources indicate he might have died on 4 22 2002. Info from social security many 
times lacks accuracy. It's happening all the time, whoever inserts
the information there does not care. They only care about being paid 
big money on time for doing nothing just like greedy evil, sleazy lawyers
who only dream of easy cases that pay big dough for doing nothing. It's a shame nobody wrote anything 
concrete on the man's passing (except for insignificant hard to find few 
paragraphs in the local papers); all these "journalists" forgot, 
keep on forgetting that Bulky 'Grindin Master' Baker is considered one of the 
top boxers of the 1950's. You can disagree all you want to with me, I don't care a bit,
the facts speak for themselves. Sadly like Valdez he was never 
given a chance at the title. His only contender match was a 12 rounder
with big Holman in Miami Beach, FL (the same city where he was to 
have a proposed match with Rocky on January 2nd in Miami Beach Auditorium or 
in Cleveland, OH (better more neutral place to rocky & BB). 
Assuming Rocky fought at St. Nicholas (some called it Saint Nichols) on January 2, he would have opened 
the 1956 North American boxing season; but it was too little, too late, thus Baker is barely 
remembered today. St. Nicholas Arena had some chances to host Baker-Rocky match, 
mostly because of live, long broadcast range of now legendary, defunct Dumont Network 
television broadcast (Monday night fights were not broadcast coast to coast
but exposure was pretty vast across all of East Coast states & mid America). It was Dumont 
network who originated the live network concept. Flights from St. Nicholas 
were carried live on WGN in Chicago, WABD in New York, WDTV in Pittsburgh, 
BB's home town (fitting for the 1.2.56 fight). The 1/4/56 fight was the first 
live tv & radio coast to coast broadcast of 1956 New Year (fights began at 22:15). 
Monday night fights were headed by Tex Sullivan (Rocky's rocky acquaintance) 
& Willie Gilzenberg, both IBC affiliates. Tex was a promoter for many years. 
The Baker-Marciano fight could have extended and enhanced the network's 
life. Dumont ended its historical existence 10 years after it premiered, in August 1956.
Even a 4 or 5 rounds match would have been nice, just for the fans and Rocky should 
have fought one more fight just for the fans. I repeat New Orleans or Cleveland
OH, Sunday January 1st had available venues. It was the last week of 1955 too. 
An idea was to schedule a match between 10 and 12 rounds (11 rounds is unique); 
and also indirectly avoid Norris and IBC who controlled, promoted Wednesday & 
Friday night fights with venues in New York & Chicago. But even 
if the match did happen, IBC would have had some say over it, in some greedy way.
 
	Larry Atkins was (usually) the sole promoter at the Cleveland Arena and the IBC gang 
had no control over him. He arranged the 2nd Baker-Valdez fight.
Did Rocky have reservations on IBC? No doubt, I doubt he 
would have fought for IBC again, he was pretty much fed up with them. Either way, 
the Wednesday night fights broadcasts were only partially controlled by 
IBC's silent parent company & Arthur Wirtz who had 
IBC parent company in Chicago was responsible for boxing promotions. 
However final say, especially on technical issues belonged 
to Channel 7 WLS (ABC also aired on other channels in other parts of 
the country, both ABC and NBC were national channels from the beginning). 
Cleveland & Ohio had a steady boxing following for a long time.
Cleveland Arena was somewhat involved with big time (underground) mafioso 
control. However, the Wednesday/Friday night fights belonged to IBC &
Channels 5 & 7 (at the time NBC was WNBQ in Chicago) but the broadcasts  
themselves were not controlled by the IBC group. I am not saying the parent company 
did anything illegal because there were not many complaints from boxing fans. 
ABC had exclusive rights to Wednesday night fights. 
NBC canceled its Friday night fights with IBC in 1957 due to an antitrust
federal probe & eventual lawsuit. 
One of IBC's multi million dollar sponsors was Gillette Razors company.
IBC was renamed National Boxing Enterprises but basically it was the 
same company with the same people running it, only switching their roles. 
In 1958, Norris & Truman, now as its Executive Vice President, 
continued running it until it was dissolved. September 29th 1960
was the last day  of IBC/NBE's TV fights, many sponsors walked away. 
IBC closed for good in early October 1960, after 
it aired its last Wednesday night fight. 
In the final TV bout Ed Perkins from Chicago decisively 
outpointed Gene Gresham of Detroit in a 10 round lightweight bout. 
	
	Both Atkins and Weill made somewhat of a mistake of not staying in touch 
to try to arrange the BB-RM 1956 New Year fight. It was a big Arena. 
The capacity of the Cleveland Arena was 12 500+ for boxing, 10 000 
for hockey games (top names may not show up at places with less that 
10 000 capacity), 11 000 for basketball. Cleveland Arena was located at 3717 Euclid ave.
It took 1.5 million dollars to build it. It opened on 11.11.1937.
Its first show was a performance of 'Ice Follies' show. Nick Mileti 
bought the arena (& its Barons) in 1968. Elvis Presley performed there in November 1956.
But after 40 years in 1977, the arena was demolished & a new venue, 
Coliseum at Richfield was built in 1974 with 20 000 seating capacity. 
Then in turn, in 1999, the Coliseum was also demolished. The Cleveland Arena should have been 
kept for historical purposes. Cleveland pretty much ripped its heart out.
It was one of the most beautiful & at the time of its inauguration, 
the grandest, closed facility in North America. 
Cleveland Arena was also the location where the legendary DJ Al Freed organized 
the first ever legendary, historic rock 'n' roll (rhythm 'n' blues was precursor to rock 'n' roll)
concert on March 21 1952 called: 'The Moondog Coronation Ball'. Over 20 000 people showed up 
(squeezed like sardines). Freed did not expect so many people to attend (some say he did).
However, only one song was performed & the authorities were forced to close the showdown
& everyone was evacuated, it was a hectic event. Freed called his listeners 'The Moondogs,
before & at the end of broadcasts he howled like a wolf into the microphone'.
Because of Freed, music's color barriers in America began to crumble for good,
he was the maverick, the trail-blazer, the music pioneer who gave the world more diverse music.

	 Monday, January 2 1956 was a day that does not repeat itself often.
There was one in 1996, only 10 years later in 2006, it repeated. In 1955, 
the first Saturday of the New Year did not repeat itself until 1966, 
11 years later (just like the sun's cycle every 11 years, dark spots appear on it).
I want to be precise. After all, not many boxers retire with a 50-0 record and number 
50 stands for gold, milestone, achievement and then some. It seems to me that Rocky's 
final fight was planned for Cleveland, possibly with some exhibitions on 
January 1 & 2. Rocky was in L.A. CA, between January 3rd & 5th 1956. 
Rocky left late night, on Thursday January 5th. Thursday night Olympic auditorium 
fights did not always have local TV broadcasts. But when they were,
fights were televised on KTLA, Channel 5 for one hour but starting in September 1957, 
format was changed to 2 hours; from 8 to 10pm with hosts Davies & Enberg calling the 
action from ringside. In the early 1960's, when the fights moved to Saturday nights 
on KCOP, Channel 13, Jim Healy called the fights.

Saturday night fights from Hollywood Legion Stadium were also shown 
live locally on KECA. The first broadcast was in March 1952, the last broadcast
& the last fight was on September 12 1959. 

	It's interesting to note that there are exactly 29 days between 
December 7 & January 5, between January 5 & February 3rd; it's 58 days 
between Baker's Nino & Hurricane fight. Four weeks & one day is more than enough 
time to get ready for the match especially if a boxer has not been hurt in 
the previous slow match. January 5 is the midpoint between 58 days.
Let's not rule out New York as Rocky's 'final bout' destination city. 
Not Madison Square Garden, Rocky disliked Norris, Truman, Wirtz and their IBC. 
Was that a good place to stage a fight especially with all the controversy 
swarming around ? There was some serious talk of 2 rounds, 2.5 minutes exhibition
with Floyd on 1.11.1956 in Chicago Stadium. It was Stadium's first fight 
of the New Year; however, people wanted a real fight against Floyd. 
Most boxing aficionados already knew he would be the man to beat. 
Al Weill had some fighters fight on January 7, in L.A., 1/1 through 1/7 
are first days of the first week of the New Year and they are usually 
aesthetically good looking, pleasing to the eye of a beholder
but only January 1 and 2 are considered New Year's Days, not that it matters. 
January 3rd & 4th, 5th come close. Is that what Rocky had on his mind ? I doubt it.
It's very likely somebody was putting final touches on Rocky's final fight 
in Cleveland or Los Angeles or New York. It was the perfect time & place for it. 
And it definitely looks more likely that Rocky's final 
fight was to be staged in Cleveland. He never had a championship fight
during winter. He should have had one. As far as these dates go,
not that they matter. They are the author's observational thoughts.

	On January 4, there was a fine 10 round middleweight match between 
Rocky Castellani and Gene Fullmer (Marciano of middleweight div), both fine boxers. It was a bloody fight. 
This was also the first nationally televised fight, first boxing radio 
broadcast of 1956. I keep on writing on these days because people keep 
on sending me ideas what could have, should have, might have, would have been. 
But it's all only speculation, then I come up with 
scientific guesses, hypotheses, theories on what day Rocky should have fought. :)
The Fullmer-Castellani fight should have been selected as the co-fight of 1956 
by Ring or any other sports magazine. Gene Fullmer won a controversial split 
decision. That day was also the closing ceremony of Cleveland's annual 
Christmas/New Year show. It always started at the beginning of December. 
December 7 1955 was also on Wednesday. The best part is that the fight 
could have simply been remembered as 1-4-56 (456 looks real nice, aesthetically in order). Rocky was 
victorious in his last bout on October 28 vs Pedro Gonzales, it was the undercard 
for Hurricane-Slade bout. Same two judges for the Valdez-Baker fight 
were present for the January 4th fight, except the referee was Lou Palmer. 
December 7th 1955 Baker-Valdez fight was also the main event. 
Both fights were televised live on Wednesday and both were fought at Cleveland Arena. 
The Cincinnati area was also willing to host the Rocky-Baker match.
Bob and Nino were reportedly paid 12 500$ for their efforts. The fight was a 
good one in the first few rounds, only the later rounds were somewhat boring.
It resembled a pushing and shoving contest. As mentioned, the Cleveland Arena had 
a seating capacity of about 12 500 fans for boxing events and 10 000 
for hockey. But in reality Al Weill wanted to stage Rocky's 
final fight in California or New York in fall of 1956 against Floyd. 
And California seemed like a venue at the right time, at the right place. 
Where else the fight between Baker and Valdez could have taken place ? December 7th 
seems late for the New Year's Day bout but it was not that late. However, now I realize
why December 7th was chosen to organize this match. On December 6th, Ring 
released its latest boxing ratings. Baker and Valdez were the top dogs again.
The strange thing about Rocky's middle of the first week of January 1956
visit to LA was: Instead of fighting a boxer named Baker, ironically, he was a guest 
of Austrian/German baker named Otto Basso, who was a local tycoon in the 
pastry business. After doing the town (screwing around), together with his "buddies", 
Rocky was a guest at that bakery. I am sure they ate everything up & messed up the whole 
store. I wonder if that Wednesday had more viewers than that week's Friday night.
There were no nationally televised fights for a week, it must have been a big boxing day.
Baker had no need to travel & tire, simply wait out 
four weeks training at the same familiar place. Baker's trainer was Dan Florio.
 
	On November 30 1955, there was a big fight in Boston Garden, Mass, 
between two greats: Carmen Basilio and Tony DeMarco. Carmen won by tko in 12. 
The Ring Magazine named this fight the best of 1955. Imagine if Valdez-Baker 
staged the fight there. The crowd might have been more electrifying for them, 
Thus they could have fought better. Boston Garden's capacity is still 15000. 
The December 7th 1955 second main event was between the legendary, 
hard punching Eduardo Jorge Lausse and U.K.'s popular Johnny Sullivan. 
This was Lausse's 34th straight victory (he was defeated before) going 
all the way back to 1952. Sullivan defeated Jackie King 4 weeks later 
at the same location. It's interesting to note that at the time Baker 
was more popular than Patterson, how ? Number of fans who attended 
his matches. Surprisingly, almost a whopping 13 000 fans attended the
Baker-Hurricane II match. It should have been drawn, referee ruled in Baker's favor
but two judges overruled it, thus screwing Baker again, no doubt 
underground boxing mafia had something to do with it, they did not 
Moore-Patterson match to be canceled by some Baker spoiler.
8380 fans attended the Baker-Valdez "waltz" match, they paid $63 400, the December 8th 1955 
Floyd-Slade match welcomed 7180 fans. Wow, that's exactly 
the difference of 1200 fans or 15%. There's something to these numbers. They clearly
show those heavyweights were very popular & Baker was a well known name.
Speaking of percentages... Supposedly, at the time, 33% was the average fee
managers took at that time. Weill took 50% of Marciano's earnings, however he paid
for Rocky's room & board during training. He also paid for Rocky's training.

	On January 6th 1956, Lausse drew Milo Savage (Jethro Ware was his real name) 
of Sale Lake City. It was a dead even draw. It was a good fight (but not as good
as January 4th fight when Lause stopped Sullivan in the fifthe round for his
30th straight victory). And there we go. We can see a pattern here. 
IBC/Norris/Wirtz could have capitalized on a double main event with 
Rocky and Lausse. But at the time Weill was scouting LA 
for a long time, no other area except occasionl trip to Indiana (11.15.55). 
In early December 1955, Weill commented: "Rocky wants to quit and his family 
wants him to quit but I told him we should keep fighting as long as there's 
customers. There must be an ample supply of customers available in whatever area
is selected for Rocky's next fight and I am warning you... Marciano and I 
aint't the AAU, (amateurs) ya' know." He was right.                             
On January 5th, there was an exciting fight at the Olympic LA Auditorium. 
It hosted fights every Thursday. The place still exists but seating 
capacity was decreased by 3000 and it has been sold to
some Korean/Asian Christian Church. The capacity was about 10 500,
about 2000 less than Cleveland's Arena, 11 000 if extra seats around 
ring were added. Rocky's final fight could have been fought at one 
of those place. After all, he was in LA at the time and it seems 
that was a perfect place and a perfect time, 
besides Weill's fighters had a job to do at the Legion Stadium, 
it would have been a good day to remember,
just like 1.4.56, it was an electrifying fight week. And RM might have fought 
on that day. At the time seating capacity for the 
Stadium was around 6500. It's hard to comprehand any popular champion would 
fight at such place. Not a small number but also not a great number.
The main attaraction of January 5th was a fight between                 
Charley 'Tombstone' Smith and Woody Winslow (televised). Tombstone won by 10/10 UD. 
Since Rocky was in LA and Weill expressed personal choice of staging
Rocky's final fight there, it's safe to assume either 1.4 or 1.5 as Rocky's
50th fight day. In the co-main event (not televised)
Lou Filipo beat Jimmy Sweat by TKO 6/10. It was the best fight of the night.
Both were good bouts, especially with Filipo (144 lbs), who 
had little trouble with the opponent who offered little opposition. 
It seems the Filipo fight was the main event. 
The newspapers did not mention much on these fight, except the results. 

	The New Orleans Municipal Auditorium seems like a logical choice now
for Rocky's 50th pro fight at 11PM Central time. However, the problem is there
was no fight in that Auditorium on New Year's Day, 1956. So it's hard
to piece things together. Rock never fought in the South where weather
was not freezing. Its auditorium's capacity was around 10 100 (some sources claim 
it had 8000 seats but when?). New Orleans Municipal Auditorium in Louisiana
hosted fights on New Year's Day and on other major holidays. 
That could have been perfect place for golden 50th bout and weather
was nice. In 1955, a fight between Cisco Andrade and Ralph Dupas 
generated lots of interest, it was televised across the nation. Cisco was 24-0 
and undefeated, in three years of boxing he scored 27 victories in 28 fights. 
His only draw was against Freddie Herman. But Dupas was only 19 or 20, 
he was fighing professionaly for 5 years, had a record of 50-6-4 
and he won the fight. His contender ranking improved. They had New Year's bouts
there before and after 1956. On January 1 1961, at the same Auditorium Rory 
Calhoun beat Hank Casey by split decision in ten rounds. Calhoun was third 
ranked middleweight contender. Casey entered the ring a 2 to 1 favorite with 
prospects of a middleweight title fight with Champ Gene Fullmer in the offing. 

	With the passage of time, there is always something new to be unearthed,
discovered & naturally things are subject to change over time. There are always things to dig up!       
When this story was originally written, I was not aware of many things. 
But I am confident my research is appropriate and correct. There are all 
sorts of truths, a ton of pragmatic truths.
			
	 Cal Eaton was one of the main promoter at the LA's Olympic Auditorium, located
close to Hollywood. On January 5th 1956, Rocky could have fought Baker then and 
there, better yet... Rocky could have fought Floyd but Floyd did not want
anything to do with Rocky in 1956. January 5 seems as a most choice as Rocky was
in LA and Weill's plans were to organize Rocky's 50th fight around LA. But both
January 4 & January 5 are important dates as they are also close to each other. On January 4th
Rocky made public appearances with Weill's boxers, was photographed, answered questions.
The public already knew Floyd was Rocky's logical opponent but Floyd only wanted to 
fight for the light heavyweight title first, before facing Rocky and assuming he was 
successful in beating Archie. At the time New York Boxing Guild (including St. Nicholas Arena) 
were under federal and state scrutinies and it was ordered to be dissolved on January 16th 
by New York State Athletics. The Garden did not have any boxing until February 3rd. 
Rocky could have fought on that day, even better, but he did not 
want anything to do with Norris and IBC again. Rocky's first fight was in
Holyoke MS, it could have been his last one there on January 3rd when
a fighter named Augie Turiano, aka The Protege of Marciano - alias. He was
no Marciano protege, the real protege came later in the 1960's. The real 
protege was Toni Alongi, a 6'5 foot fighter. He was undefeated as an amateur 
(27-0) and won at least as many professional fights before losing. His 
trainer was guess who... Charley Goldman, Toni was born on the day
Rocky was born, August 31 (so was Miguel Berios, born in 1932, 
died on New Year's day 1969). He lived in Fort Lauderdale just like Rocky. Rocky died on
Alongi's 30th birthday. When Alongi died nobody 
remembered his accomplishments, including his newspaper Daily Herald. 
He won 40 fights and lost 2, the first loss was a 
controversial one but either way he was losing on points. 

	It's impossible to find out exactly what happened between IBC and Rocky. 
I doubt Rocky wanted to fight for IBC again, especially when he knew
federal probes were in full swing. New York Boxing Guild was 
dissolved. IBC was not all bad, it helped many blacks retain their long
lasting boxing careers. No other sport associations, at that time, 
did as much for black sports as IBC did. They even named Gibson Truman, 
a black lawyer by trade, as its President of newly created NBA. 
After retiring, the first time, Joe Louis joined the club too, 
actually he was 'employeed' as IBC's promoter.
It was his heavyweight title he had 'on sale' that helped solidify IBC's
existence & hold on boxing monopoly. Knockout tournaments were organized 
to find Joe's successor.
 
	Another probable day to stage Rocky's last fight was January 5th at the
Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, providing fight was announced before
December 7th, thus the bout would have been fought on New Year's Day 
at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles CA, 9PM. It seems logical.
And on January 1 at 8 PM Eastern time (EST), Rocky might have made final 
appearance on Sunday Variety Comedy Hour, the final show before it was replaced with 
a different format on 1/8/1956, the final original show aired on 12/25/1955.
It ran for 18 episodes from January until June 1956. 

	The dates of 1.1.56 & 1.4.56 are acceptable, yet January 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11
seem more aesthetically pleasing to an eye, (note: midnight in New York is no later than
10PM Pacific time (Los Angeles), fights usually began around 15 minutes 
after given start hour, in this case the broadcast could have started
before 11. Fighters enter the ring arounds few minutes after 23:00/11. 
It takes at least half an hour to get the main event going and there 
may be another important fight before the main event. 
Midnight Eastern time is 11 Central, 5AM Universal Time or GMT.
Good start time for night owls; 11-11:59. At the time, the WBKB ABC used to 
broadcast sport events on major holidays. On New Year's day, 
it had some 'championship' bowling games at 10PM Central time 
on Sundays, imagine how happy they would have been to show or 
replay championship fight instead ? Either on January 1st or 
on January 4th, I'd have the TV start time at 10PM, fight would start at 11:16,
a 2 1/4 hour special tv event would end at 11:15PM/12:15AM on 1/2/56.
Time wasting game shows or parades would have been eliminated from schedule.
They just took too much time and viewers can not take part in a parade anyways.
Best fight start time would be 11:17 (at 11:15 referee gives final instructions), 
after 12 rounds, the fight ends 3 to 5 minutes after midnight (Author's Fine Observations).

	January 4th is St. Marcian & martyr companions', St. Elizabeth Ann Seton's Feast Day. 
IIt would have been exactly 106 days or 15 weeks between Rocky's last 2 fights: 9/21/1955-/5/1956.
St. Marcian, St. Aquilinus, St. Aquinus, St. Quadratus & other 
Holy martyrs companions, were martyred for their faith in 
484 on 1.4 & to my amazement 1.4.484 was also Wednesday during
Julian calendar era (September 3rd was moved to September 14th 1752 in USA,
11 days were skipped, they never happened). On January 5th is the Blessed 
Marcelina Darowska's Feast Day. Then on May 24th it's St. Marciana's, 
soldiers' wifes & their companios Feast Day. Also martyrs. 
They were under the command of second century convert St. Melatius.
Marcelina, Marciano, Marciana are very similar to Rocky's surname. 
There is something interesting to this January 4th Day & it's no coincidence.                     
There is another St. Marcian is celebrated on January 10th, 
St. Marcian of Constantinopole (reminds me of beautiful 1905 song, 
'O Constantinopole'). A priest who gave his tunic to beggar and was laughed at.

	Many of New Year's Day indicators seem to point directly toward my theories 
being sound and true; after all, strange as it may sound, a featherweight boxer 
named Pat Marcune fought on 1/2 in New York and when you take away all 
vowels in Marcune and Marciano you are left with consonants MRCN! Like it or not.
MRCN REPEATS ITSELF AGAIN 5 YEARS LATER on 1/2 in 1961, New York's middleweight 
fighter Ossie Marcano fights on the same day at the same location at 
St. Nicholas Arena. Marcano wins 4 rounds UD decision. Also there was 
also a fight in Ohio on Sunday, January 1 1961, with a guy named Rocco.
Does this mean Rocky was to fight on between January 1 & 4th ? 
Ohio had a ten points scoring system, for long time and possibly in the 1950/60's
as well, no draws were allowed. I know those were the rules for Baker-Wallace fight.
Strange things happened... Only single 'i' is missing in his last name. 
Certainly, there must be something to these signs. It's weird but factual. 
First Mondays of the New Year also count as New Year's Day if New Year's Day 
was on Sunday. January 1 and 2 are New Year's Days. January 3 and 4 could
also part of New Year celebration. Either way, they are all very early days of the New Year. 
New Year should be spent in medication and reflection on your lifes. 
It's interesting to note that no major world title fights were ever 
held on New Year's Day. Boxing fans are not health freaks, on major 
holidays they lead unhealthy lifestyles, they smoke, get drunk. 
 
	Rocky might have been champion until 2/1957, five years total: 1952-1957.
period). On that day Gene Fullmer defeated Sugar Ray Robinson in 15/UD for 
world middleweight crown. That could have been second main event if Floyd 
Patterson fought Archie Moore, 'the Old Mongoose', for the heavyweight crown.
Just because he abdicated it on 4.27.1956, does not mean he was no longer champ, duh,
he could have died Sep 22 1955. Does that mean his championship goes away with 
death? HECK NO, only stupid people think that way! 
Technically, he was champion until Friday, 11.30.56, when Floyd beat Archie Moore. 
	On 2.3.56, Bob Stevens defeated Andre de Keersgieter for Belgian middleweight title.
Also on 2.3.56, Rocky Ponciano lost to Leo Olaes. 2.3.1956 day is special in more than one way.
After boxing, Baker was a foreman for the road crew in Penn Hills. He was
resoected fir his honesty, humility, fair treatments of his crew among other
good attributes. He barely spoke of his fame or his accomplishments.
	Today, BB is largely forgotten by boxing fans & history. 
It's so ironic that in January of 1956, Baker was the top contender 
but in a strange twist of faith, exactly one year later he was almost nobody, 
a has been. Pathetic boxing world (still is, especialy Sulaiman's WBC) 
never took him seriously again. So what good good will this 
writing do now ? When one shatters, breaks a glass into million pieces 
one will never fully put parts together to make as it once was and if one succeeds
putting it together, it will not look pristine, aesthetically pleasing. 
It's original condition is gone forever. History can not be changed but 
at least we can speculate what could have, should have, might have been. Nobody can 
stop us there. And any history can be relived, reminded, unearthed, dusted,
cleaned up thus treated, cured of inacurracies. In this case, it was certainly overdue. 
Nino Geraldo Ramos Ponciano Valdez, the Cubas heavyweight champion was born on December 5 1924
(12.7.1955 fight could have been his greatest birthday gift if he had defeated Baker)
& died in semi-poverty & obscurity on June 2 2001*. He was 76 just like Baker.
After he was done with boxing, he worked as a bouncer, it was one of many low 
paying jobs he held. At least Cuban & American Cuban boxing community remember 
him but only sporadically.

* The second day of any month seem to be interesting part of Valdez's life. 
Is it his destiny? He died on the second of June, he lost to Archie Moore 
on the 2nd of May, if he did not lose to Moore, he was to fight Rocky on 
the second day of January 1956, possibly in Cuba. These days fit; they are tailor made.

* Something interesting on the side: 

	Within less that a year, the entire Marciano crew has answered the final bell. 
Charlie Goldman, Rocky's trainer, died in November 1968. 
Al Columbo, Rocky's pang died lonelier or more broke.
	Rocky always had a 50-50 contract with Weill, which meant that he and Al split
the purses down the middle with Al paying all the expenses (thank goodness for that).
More important, Rocky always insisted that Weill had taught him the value of the talent.
More than once, Rocky reminded that it was canny, greedy Weill who told him:
"You are the heavyweight champion of the world. No one in sport is as famous as you
(especially for those times, before MMA). You tell 'em thang died lonelier or more broke.
	Rocky always had a 50-50 contract with Weill, which meant that he and Al split
the purses down the middle with Al paying all the expenses (thank goodness for that).
More important, Rocky always insisted that Weill had taught him the value of the talent.
More than once, Rocky reminded that it was canny, greedy Weill who told him:
"You are the heavyweight champion of the world. No one in sport is as famous as you
(especially for those times, before MMA). You tell 'em that if they want you, 
they gotta pay for you. If they want you to walk across the street, charge 'em for shoe leather!"
With passing of Marciano, Columbo, Weill, Goldman, golden age of boxing has ended in 1969. 
Before 'em Harry Mendel (manager of Tony Galento) went first, 
then Jack 'Doc' Kearns (manager of Jack Dempsey) & Jim Norris 
(President of IBC 1949-1958). From 1958 until 1961 new boxing
organization was created: National Boxing Association, NBA. 
Truman Gibson was its president but Norris was really in control
like when Medvedev was President of Russia, Putin was its Prime Minister 
& he was in control of Russia.

	How 1/2 can be displayed in different angle of logic:
1/2=0.50=50%=50=half, 1/4=0.250, 1/8=0.1250, 1/5=50 (Author's additional Fuzzy Observations :)

	Obituary: Bob Baker / Local boxer was top heavyweight contender in the 1950s:

Friday, April 26, 2002

By Chuck Finder and Pohla Smith, Post-Gazette Sports Writers

Bob Baker, a professional boxer who spent nearly a decade as a nationally televised top contender for the world heavyweight championship, 
though he never got a chance at the title, died Tuesday of heart failure at Life Care Hospital in Wilkinsburg. He was 75.

Mr. Baker, of the Hill District, briefly worked as a referee on "Studio Wrestling" television broadcasts in Pittsburgh 
and in Golden Gloves boxing competitions. But it was as a fighter that he was best known.

"Big Bob" Baker, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound slugger, won the first 25 bouts of his professional career, which started in 1949. 
Later, some of the era's most recognizable fighters, including Archie Moore and Tommy "Hurricane" Jackson, used him as a stepping-stone to heavyweight-title bouts.

Archie Moore, the former light-heavyweight champion, knocked him out in the ninth round March 9, 1954 in Miami Beach on his way to a heavyweight-title bout with Rocky Marciano, which Moore lost.

Jackson decisioned him twice in 1956, the second time in a nationally televised bout at Forbes Field on Sept. 26. Mr. Baker later said he had bet his entire $33,000 purse on himself.

Two fights later, Jackson his shot at the title and defeated Floyd Patterson (this is wrong, Patterson fought Jackson twice & won twice).

Mr. Baker went on to beat George Chuvalo, the Canadian champion, but his career was careening downhill. \
The man who had knocked out 17 of his first 25 opponents recorded just one knockout win in his last 15 fights. He lost nine of those fights.

He retired in October 1959 with a record of 51-16-1.

"He fought some tough [guys]," said Frank "Spacky" DeLeo of East Pittsburgh, a lightweight fighter during that period who now works the 
corner of Pittsburgh's Paul Spadafora, the International Boxing Federation lightweight champ. "He had a good left hook and a good right hand. His punch was strong."

"He couldn't even punch the bag in the end," said Andy "Kid" DePaul of Green Tree, an erstwhile fighter and later a Pennsylvania boxing commissioner. 
"He would've been the heavyweight champion of the world if he hadn't broken both of his hands.

"He was a fine heavyweight, No. 1 contender in the world. He fought the tough guys. He wasn't afraid of anybody."

Mr. Baker worked as a bartender at the Brass Rail in Wilkinsburg and spent 7 1/2 years as a PennDot foreman after his ring career ended, retiring from the latter position in 1985.

He rarely talked about his ring experiences once they ended, said his son, Rickie Ross of Point Breeze. "All [his photographs and clippings] were in the bottom of a box on the shelf," Ross said.

Born in Canonsburg, Mr. Baker was raised in the Hill District. At 18, in the midst of World War II, he dropped out of high school to enlist in the Navy. 
He served in the South Pacific and was discharged in 1946.
(Why would he quit HS when he was about to graduate? Something stinks here - Lubek)

Lou Ledbetter, a Pittsburgh fight trainer, met Mr. Baker at a local YMCA and asked him to become a sparring partner for another boxer. 
Ledbetter helped launched Mr. Baker's career, which saw him win the national Golden Gloves championship before turning pro in April 1949.

Survivors also include a daughter, Mari Rita Clark of Seattle, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

	Special Treats: 
	
Champions who Fought as Old Men:

Bob Fitzsimmons (held light-heavyweight and heavyweight titles) was 50 when
he won his last two bouts. Mexican welterweight Luis V. Paramo aka Kid Azteca 
fought at 48 so was Evander Holyfied. Jack Johnson was 50 when he fought his last.
Some of these fighters needed the dough to come back and humiliate themselves.
Jack Dempsey was 45 when he knocked out a wrestler-turned-boxer Cowboy Lutrell.

Rocky's fight with Moore had been scheduled to take place on September 20 1955,
but the threat of Hurricane Ione postponed the fight.

			Rocky's Trunks in his Brazilian Fight:

On the lower left leg is sewn Radio Banderirantes (the sponsor of Rocky on this trip).
Inside the waist band is the manufacturer's label for Casa of Esportista of Sao Paulo.
The trunks have number of stains. 


COURTESY OF J.P.L. LUBEK: VERY RARE, HISTORICAL ROCKY & BOXING ARTICLES & GOODIES:
encyclopediasupreme.org/Rocky


- By: The Rocky Brockton Statue & Memoriial Chairman & Founder, Boxing Historian: 
JAN PAUL LARY LUBEK/JAN PAWEL LARY LUBEK/IVAN PAVLE LARY LUBEK BD, DLT
Written on: 1/11/2007; Updated on: 8/8/2008, 1/1/2011, 4/5/2018; 11/2022
All Rights Reseved!