Plenty of white heavyweight brawlers have, over the years, ever since Sly Stallone’s creation hit the big screen, been given the unofficial nickname of “The Real-Life Rocky” – Chuck Wepner arguably being the most deserving of the tag, as it was his ring exploits that inspired the struggling, out of work actor to put pen to paper and come up with his masterpiece.
But one other fighter, hailing from the tough streets of New York, made the nickname his own during the mid-to-late 2000s. Vinny Maddalone of Queens, who made his debut 18 years ago today, won over those fight fans who saw him slug it out, and he won them over with his sheer heart, his honest, down to earth approach and his fearlessness. Maddalone was never a fighter blessed with natural boxing skills, but he had a ton of guts, he was willing to fight anyone his promoter Joe DeGuardia put him in with, and he could really crack, with either mitt.
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