
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 23, 1990                   TAG: 9005230623
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK                                LENGTH: Medium

EX-CHAMP GRAZIANO DIES OF HEART FAILURE

Rocky Graziano's reign as middleweight champion lasted less than a year. But his status as one of boxing's most popular figures endured long after his ring career was only a memory.

Graziano, whose trip from New York's Lower East Side to the middleweight championship and beyond was turned into a movie, died of cardio-pulmonary failure Tuesday night at New York Hospital.

Graziano, who entered the hospital on April 8, died at 7:24 p.m. EDT, according to Diana Goldin, public affairs director for the hospital. She said he was hospitalized after suffering a stroke.

The hospital listed Graziano's age as 71, though other sources differed. Goldin said Funeral arrangements would be announced by the family today.

Graziano, who was treated last year for physical and mental exhaustion, had a heart attack last February.

In his 11-year pro career, Graziano managed a 67-16 record with 52 knockouts. He is best remembered for three fights with Tony Zale, and it was the middle one of those which gave Graziano his only title.

Murray Goodman, a boxing publicist and long-time friend, said Graziano's ring tactics were simple - keep punching.

"He wasn't a great fighter, but he was an awesome puncher. One of his best fights was 10-rounder against Tony Jinaro in 1950. He was told by his corner to box Jinaro. For nine rounds he was a boxer and Jinaro, who was a great boxer, won nine straight rounds.

"Before the 10th round, Rocky came back and said `I don't want to be a boxer.' The 10th round began, he grabbed Tony by the throat pinned him against the ring post and knocked him out.

"He wasn't a boxer. He was a slugger."

Graziano's popularity didn't end when he left the ring. His life story, "Somebody Up There Likes Me," was a best-selling book that was made into a movie, and he was frequently seen on television as a sidekick to comedienne Martha Raye and on commercials for all manner of products from yogurt and foot powder to dog food and auto mufflers.

He was elected to the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1971.

by CNB