The World Boxing Council should get its ears boxed. They have decided to build a statue honoring boxer Rocky Marciano. However, they are placing the statue in Boston, not in Brockton, where Marciano was from and where he became a legend.
Brian Ballou at the Globe spoke with the World Boxing Council president Jose Sulaiman, who verbally punched Brockton below the belt: "Boston is visited by people of the world." Does that mean Brockton is visited by people from Mars?
Just Tuesday, Maria Papadopoulos at the Enterprise wrote about Brockton residents who were getting excited about the statue, only to have their hopes dashed. Peter Marciano, Rocky's brother, told her, "Any place else [besides Brockton] really would not be to the liking of the Marciano family." With a statement like that, does the World Boxing Council really want to mess with the Marcianos?
Of course, the World Boxing Council wants to draw attention to the sport and make some money. They won't get that kind of attention in the smaller Brockton. But you'd think that, for PR purposes and goodwill alone, they would throw Brockton some sort of crumb, or at least some money so they can build their own statue.
Image of Rocky Marciano from Wikipedia.
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Hi Caroline:
I met Rocky when I was a kid, and I still remember when. Do the people of Brokton? I mean they've had years to erect a statue of their hometown hero. And they still can!
Don't they realize that placing this statue in the most populated area of Massachusetts, the WBC not only brings glory to Rocky, but to the town he was born in? Following their logic, the George Washington Bridge should be in Virginia.
I don't see why this is wrong. The WBC voted on and choose the capitol, so more people would see and acknowledge Marciano as the hero he still is. A PR stunt? That's doesn't scan. He wasn't even a WBC Champion. This is purely out of respect for a hero. They gain nothing from this. They could've spent the money more wisely if it was for self grandizing.
Don't weave something good into something bad. Not fair. There's plenty of lousy stories to tell, but this isn't one of them.
Jill Diamond Chastain
The World Boxing Council (WBC) is a not for profit organisation. The WBC has introduced all major improvements in boxing in the Modern era. I was sad to read the article about The Marciano Tribute Statue. The WBC just wants Marciano to be honoured. As an Englishman I am highly unlikely to ever go to Brockton but I will be going to Boston and International City as will millions of other foreigners’ year on year. It is right that the City where most people can appreciate it and get to see it is used for its base. I am Shocked that the residence of Brockton in the last 50 years haven't put together their own tribute. After all the WBC is paying for this monument 100% and will not profit from it. It is a gift from the WBC to the people of New England and I think it is right it is put where most people will get pleasure form it. The people of Brockton should be proud that even a city 25 miles away has a monument to one of their great residence and be twice as proud that they didn't have to pay for the privilege. The Statue is in New England the same State as Brockton. If this argument about location was won as a president worldwide just imagine the ramifications worldwide virtually every statue in the modern world would have to be replaced especially in capital cities. All the Statues of Nelson Mandela made around the world would have to be taken down and sent to South Africa or what would you do with Mount Rushmore in the USA I am pretty sure all those guys were not born around the area of that Mountain! I am sure Paul Marciano wants his Brother recognised in the best possible fashion and it is natural for him to want some recognition for his brother in his home town that is very understandable but I do hope that he sees that the WBC has the best intentions with placing the statue in Boston and it is the best place for such a monument. It isn't like Rocky was local star or just popular in the USA like Babe Ruth. Rocky was a worldwide International Star. Rocky has inspired the world for many generations and is a boxing legend. The people of Brockton will just have to get to terms with the fact that Rocky was from Brockton but he is loved and belongs to the World. I do hope that something positive comes out of this where the good people of Brockton put there civic duty hats on raise the money for a monument of their choosing in their own town.
A casing point in my home town of Elstow the birthplace of one of the greatest English writers in History John Bunyan the author of Pilgrims Progress amongst his great works which have sold 100’s of millions of copies in over 150 languages in the last 300 years, well he was born and lived in Elstow most of his life but there is no statue in Elstow but there is a statue in the capital of the county in neighbouring large town Bedford. It is a source of Pride for all in Elstow when we go to Bedford it has also become a source of pride for the county. He now is an inclusive figure for all I hope this is something that the people of Brockton can do and see the positives of having a Statue somewhere other than Brockton and remember where ever the statue is set Rocky will always be the Brockton Blockbuster. In having a statue in Boston could actually increase the tourism to Brockton when people see it they say wow Rocky was such a great fighter and Brockton is only a few miles away we should go there. the Statue will be an advert for Brockton in Boston.
My last point is that Local businesses in Brockton should have approached Paul Marciano years ago and for the local businesses not to see an opportunity is the real issue. It is a really a false objection when local leaders try to block the statue in Boston because what is really happening (what have the local (Brockton) political leaders/ community leaders and business leaders been doing for the last 50 years?) by deflecting what WBC is doing and criticizing it good works they have done something very clever, they have deflected the issue of their procrastination and lack of effort in putting a fitting monument up. The real question for all the good people of Brockton is how has it come to this that for the last few generations have not put any efforts into doing something befitting of Rockys great achievements? i say congratulation to the WBC the only boxing organisation doing something for Rocky and doing it without commercial gain 3 cheers for the WBC. In England there is a saying " never look a gift horse in the mouth". At best it is ungrateful and at worst it is very rude and it costs nothing to be polite.