Luzerne in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Attilio "Rocky" Castellani
May 26, 1926 August 31, 2008
Marine - Pro Boxer - Legend
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 21, 2020
1. Attilio "Rocky" Castellani Memorial
Inscription.
Attilio "Rocky" Castellani. May 26, 1926 August 31, 2008.
Rocky Castellani, a native coal miner's son, raised at 816 North St. Luzerne, Pa, served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, where he fought in the pivotal battle of Iwo Jima. He was a highly decorated military boxer and went on to become one of the best professional world class middleweight contenders of all time. His ability to "go the distance" included fighting as a contender for the 1954 Middleweight World Title. On July 22, 1955 he faced Sugar Ray Robinson, in a fight that ended in a highly contested split decision. Rocky hammered and knocked down Sugar Ray with a jolting left hook to the jaw and another jarring straight right to the upper head in the 6th Round dropping him for over 10.65 seconds, resulting in an obviously influenced referee's delayed slow count, losing the controversial split decision. Rocky posted a career record of 83 fights, 65 wins, 14 losses, and 4 draws with 16 knockouts. During his lifetime, he instructed youth in the sport of boxing, served as a judge with the New Jersey Boxing Commission, and was elected to both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Boxing Halls of Fame. This inspirational memorial is dedicated in honor of the human spirit to "Go The Distance".
Rocky Castellani passed away at the age of 82, although his legacy will continue to live on with those individuals who are willing to "Go The Distance".
"Go The Distance".
Rocky Castellani, a native coal miner's son, raised at 816 North St. Luzerne, Pa, served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, where he fought in the pivotal battle of Iwo Jima. He was a highly decorated military boxer and went on to become one of the best professional world class middleweight contenders of all time. His ability to "go the distance" included fighting as a contender for the 1954 Middleweight World Title. On July 22, 1955 he faced Sugar Ray Robinson, in a fight that ended in a highly contested split decision. Rocky hammered and knocked down Sugar Ray with a jolting left hook to the jaw and another jarring straight right to the upper head in the 6th Round dropping him for over 10.65 seconds, resulting in an obviously influenced referee's delayed slow count, losing the controversial split decision. Rocky posted a career record of 83 fights, 65 wins, 14 losses, and 4 draws with 16 knockouts. During his lifetime, he instructed youth in the sport of boxing, served as a judge with the New Jersey Boxing Commission, and was elected to both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Boxing Halls of Fame. This inspirational memorial is dedicated in honor of the human spirit to "Go The Distance".
Rocky Castellani passed away at the age of 82,
although his legacy will continue to live on with
those individuals who are willing to "Go The Distance".
"Go The Distance"
Erected 2017
Click or scan to see this page online
by Manny Santayana and Family, Luzerne Borough Council, and Concerned Friends and Organizations.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • Sports • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is July 22, 1955.
Location. 41° 16.945′ N, 75° 53.456′ W. Marker is in Luzerne, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. It is at the intersection of Bennett Street and Academy Street, on the left when traveling south on Bennett Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Veterans Memorial Park, Luzerne PA 18709, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Coal Region, in the Wyoming Valley, and in Greater Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 21, 2020
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 21, 2020
3. Attilio "Rocky" Castellani Statue
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 21, 2020
4. Attilio "Rocky" Castellani Statue Detail
Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,321 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 22, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
