In September 1952 Rocky Marciano's fame as a boxer skyrocketed when he defeated Jersey Joe Walcott to become the World Heavyweight Champion. In between training to defend his title and photo-ops for magazines and endorsements Rocky still had time to enjoy the wonderful Italian cooking from Jenny Arceri wife of his close friend Pat.  Pat Arceri owned and ran an Italian grocery store named Piccolo’s in Middletown New York in the 1950’s. Piccolo’s was a favorite stop of Marciano’s and he and Pat formed a decades-long friendship.  While attending dinner at the Arceri residence in the winter of 1952 Rocky presented a box to Pat that contained these trunks and a pair of gloves.

The characteristics of these trunks match the trunks of many of Rocky’s memorable fights including the Joe Louis fight but it is not determined if these trunks were used by Marciano in a specific fight during training or both. These white satin trunks are trimmed in black and exhibit fight wear.  The trunks are white satin with black trim on each leg and a 2 ½” white black trim at the waistband. On the center waistband there is a manufacturer’s label from Benlee Sporting Goods MFG. CO. N.Y.C. The trunks are faded and have what appear to be faint blood stains on the legs. Rocky Marciano during this period wore Benlee equipment almost exclusively. These trunks match those used by Marciano in his biggest fights from the era and during training sessions. They match up in size to other known trunks of Marciano worn during this period.

Includes LOA from Marciano family.