Renowned sculptor chosen for Marciano statue

(United Press International file photo)

Marciano celebrates a victory.

By Milton Valencia, Globe Staff

A renowned sculptor based in Mexico City has been chosen to create the statue of legendary boxer Rocky Marciano that will be erected in Brockton, Marciano's hometown.

Mario Rendon, head of the Instituto Universitario de Bellas Artes, the art institute at the University of Colima, Mexico, has already begun drafting a sketch of the statue, and is expected to begin designing it in the next few months, said Tito Gonzalez, a spokesman for the World Boxing Council. He said it will take a year to complete the statue, and he hopes it will be in Brockton by early 2009.

Mendon has sculpted the statue of former world middleweight champion Carlos Monzon in Argentina. He has also sculpted a statue of a boxer in Mexico City similar to the statues of unknown soldiers in the United States, Gonzalez said.

"He has a lot of experience," he said.

The decision by the WBC, an international boxing organization, to build the statue in Brockton renewed a sense of pride for the City of Champions. At first, the WBC considered building the statue in Boston, but the plan met strong opposition from Brocktonians who said any statue of Marciano should be built in his hometown.

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino even sided with Brockton, and the WBC eventually agreed to build the statue in Brockton.

Mayor James E. Harrington said he will form a committee to recommend a location for the statue. Locations under consideration include the plaza outside City Hall, as well as outside Campanelli Stadium.

Marciano, known as the "Brockton Blockbuster," was raised in a working-class family in the city. He had 43 knockouts as he went undefeated in 49 professional fights. He was the world champion from when he knocked out Jersey Joe Walcott in Philadelphia in September 1952 to April 1956, when he retired. He died Aug. 31, 1969.

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