[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation of post #2)

Numbered amongst the 174 fighters who did not qualify for the tournament was a 24 year-old Italian-American from Brockton, Massachusetts named Rocky Marciano. Like Gene Tunney, Marciano had served in the armed forces. He had ambitions for a career in baseball during his teenage years, but a shoulder injury spelt the end of that.

Marciano was not the type to blow his own horn. However, when the HBF President Michael Vincennes had finished reading the names of the 128 fighters who were to participate in the Federation's championship tournament, and he realised that he was not one of them, Marciano was shocked, perplexed and confused, all at once. He found it hard to believe that all of the 128 men were more worthy of a position in the tournament than he was.

During the auditions, Marciano had impressed many with his strength, determination and ability to take a punch. He was smaller than many of the other fighters, but his legs were strong and he was as fit as any of them. He had stood toe-to-toe with Johnson and Bowe during the auditions, more than holding his own against the two taller men.

He asked one of the Federation officials if a mistake had been made. The official confirmed that Marciano was not in the tournament.

Soon after, Marciano was approached by Jack Johnson.

"Can't believe you didn't make it, man," Johnson said.

Rocky nodded. "I'm surprised, too."

"They gotta be crazy to leave you out. Well, I gotta get going. Good luck."

"Yeah, good luck in the tournament."

President Vincennes returned to the podium.

"Ladies, gentlemen, we just have one more issue to discuss before you all leave," he said. "Please, take your seats."

The crowd slowly returned to their seats. Some had already left, disappointed that they had missed out.

"Thank you. When the board of the HBF sat down to decide who would, and who wouldn't, qualify for the World Championship tournament, we were staggered at the level of talent amongst our contenders. We felt that limiting the amount of participants to just 128 was not fair. So, we have decided that the Federation will run a 2nd tournament, with 64 participants. The winner of this 64-man tournament will be first in line to challenge the HBF's newly-crowned World Champion!"

A fresh round of applause errupted through the Garden, with those who had not qualified for the championship tournament suddenly realising that they still had a chance at the title.

"Again, I will read out the names in a completely random order."

This time, Marciano's name was called. But he remained as puzzled as before. He wasn't good enough to have a shot at being Champion, but he was good enough to have a chance to challenge the Champion?

What Marciano didn't know (and would not know until much later) was that Vincennes and his directors had been more impressed with him than with any of the other contenders. They were certain that he was a potential future World Champion. Taking this belief into consideration, they did not wish to risk having Marciano crash out during the championship tournament. The "1st Defence" tournament, as it would be known, was an easier path to a title fight. There was no one in the "1D" tournament who would threaten him. Even more so, the directors knew that a title fight between Marciano and any of the other top prospects, such as Tunney, Johnson and Liston would be an event that would bring the new organisation huge publicity.

After the announcement, Johnson came back and spoke to Marciano again.

"Congratulations," he said, shaking Rocky's hand but regarding him with a much more serious eye.

"Makes things interesting, I guess," said Marciano.

"Definitely," said Johnson, maintaining his gaze. "I'll be seein' ya."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving the Garden...