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{{Infobox boxer
{{Infobox boxer
|name = Roland La Starza
|name = Roland La Starza
|image =
|image = Roland La Starza.jpg
|imagesize =
|imagesize = 160px
|caption = La Starza, circa 1951
|realname =
|realname =
|nickname =
|nickname =
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|total = 66
|total = 66
|wins = 57
|wins = 57
|losses = 9 (2 by KO)
|losses = 9
|draws =
|draws =
|no contests =
|no contests =
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}}
}}


'''Roland La Starza''' (May 12, 1927 – September 30, 2009) was an American [[Boxing|boxer]] and [[actor]]. He is best known for his [[Rocky Marciano vs. Roland La Starza|two fights]] with undefeated champion [[Rocky Marciano]].
'''Roland La Starza''' (May 12, 1927 – September 30, 2009) was an American [[Boxing|boxer]] and [[actor]]. La Starza was a top rated heavyweight contender in the early 1950s and is best known for his [[Rocky Marciano vs. Roland La Starza|two fights]] with heavyweight champion [[Rocky Marciano]].


==Biography==
==Biography==
[[File: Van Nest2 701 10.JPG |thumb|La Starza was born and raised in the Van Nest neighborhood of [[New York City]]]]
[[File: Van Nest2 701 10.JPG |thumb|La Starza was born and raised in the Van Nest neighborhood of [[New York City]]|left]]


=== Early life and career ===
=== Early life and career ===
Born in 1927, La Starza grew up in the [[Van Nest]] section of the [[Bronx]]. La Starza’s skills for boxing showed early, and would become a very crafty defensive [[Boxing styles and technique|out-boxer]]. He had a very successful amateur career, winning five [[Golden Gloves|Golden Gloves titles]] in [[New York City|New York]] in 1944 and 1945. He began his professional career on July 7, 1947, and in less than three years, put together an undefeated record of 37 straight victories. This would line him up for a fight with another undefeated, rising heavyweight.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roland LaStraza |url=https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Roland_LaStarza |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=BoxRec}}</ref>
Born in 1927, La Starza grew up in the [[Van Nest]] section of the [[Bronx]]. La Starza’s skills for boxing showed early, and he would become a very crafty [[Boxing styles and technique|out-boxer]] and [[Counterpunch (boxing)|counterpuncher]]. He had a very successful amateur career, winning five [[Golden Gloves|Golden Gloves titles]] in [[New York City|New York]] in 1944 and 1945. He began his professional career on July 7, 1947, and in less than three years, put together an undefeated record of 37 straight victories. This would line him up for a fight with another undefeated, rising heavyweight.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roland LaStraza |url=https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Roland_LaStarza |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=BoxRec}}</ref>


=== Fights with Marciano ===
=== Fights with Marciano ===
{{See also|Rocky Marciano vs. Roland La Starza|}}
{{See also|Rocky Marciano vs. Roland La Starza|}}
La Starza and Rocky Marciano met for the first time on March 24, 1950. La Straza fought well, and although the fight went against him on a split decision, La Starza may have come closer than any other boxer to defeating Marciano. The scoring for the bout was 5–4, 4–5, and 5–5, but La Starza lost on a supplemental point system used by New York and Massachusetts at that time (which was awarded to Marciano on account of him scoring the fight’s only knockdown). La Starza felt he was robbed of victory, and even went on record in the ''[[New York Herald Tribune]]'', March 25, 1950, as saying, "The fact is [Rocky’s] manager Al Weill was matchmaker for the Garden. I would say that had a lot to do with the decision." He maintained that belief for over 50 years after the bout.
La Starza and Rocky Marciano met for the first time in [[Madison Square Garden]] on March 24, 1950. La Straza fought well, and although the fight went against him on a split decision, La Starza may have come closer than any other boxer to defeating Marciano. The scoring for the bout was 5–4, 4–5, and 5–5, but La Starza lost on a supplemental point system used by New York and Massachusetts at that time (which was awarded to Marciano on account of him scoring the fight’s only knockdown). La Starza felt he was robbed of victory, and even went on record in the ''[[New York Herald Tribune]]'', March 25, 1950, as saying, "The fact is [Rocky’s] manager Al Weill was matchmaker for the Garden. I would say that had a lot to do with the decision." He maintained that belief for over 50 years after the bout.
[[File:Roland La Starza vs. Rocky Marciano 1953.jpg|thumb|La Starza (left) is sent through the ropes during his title fight]]

Over the next three years, La Starza fought 18 more times, (lossing on points to Dan Bucceroni and Rocky Jones, before avenging both losses in 1952), and eventually won a heavyweight title eliminator against [[Rex Layne]] in early 1953. This set himself up for what was arguably the most important fight of his career: a world heavyweight championship bout that was a rematch against Marciano on September 24, 1953. The fight took place in an outdoor venue—the Polo Grounds in New York City. La Starza fought Marciano on even terms for the first six rounds but began to tire afterwards. Referee [[Ruby Goldstein]] stopped the fight in an eleventh round. Marciano had knocked La Starza through the ropes in that round. La Starza beat Goldstein's count, but the bout was stopped shortly thereafter on a TKO as Marciano battered La Starza relentlessly. This was La Starza's first fight (out of 53) in which he was stopped.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ecksel |first=Robert |date=September 24, 2016 |title=Boxing History: Marciano TKOs LaStarza |url=https://www.wbaboxing.com/boxing-news/today-in-boxing-history-marciano-tkos-lastarza#.ZD7pZWQpAWM |website=WBA Boxing}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 25, 1953 |title=Marciano Retains Title |work=Eugene Register—Guard |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19530925&id=RBdWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tuIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6638,6482393}}</ref>
Over the next three years, La Starza fought 18 more times, (lossing on points to Dan Bucceroni and Rocky Jones, before avenging both losses in 1952), and eventually won a heavyweight title eliminator against [[Rex Layne]] in early 1953. This set himself up for what would be the most important fight of his career: a world heavyweight championship bout which was also a rematch against Marciano on September 24, 1953. The fight took place in an outdoor venue—the Polo Grounds in New York City. La Starza fought Marciano quite well for the first six rounds, but began to wear down as he took more punishment. Referee [[Ruby Goldstein]] stopped the fight in an eleventh round. Shortly before the fight was stopped, Marciano had knocked La Starza through the ropes. La Starza beat Goldstein's count, but the bout was stopped shortly thereafter on a TKO as Marciano battered the challenger relentlessly. This was the first of only two times La Starza was stopped during his career.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ecksel |first=Robert |date=September 24, 2016 |title=Boxing History: Marciano TKOs LaStarza |url=https://www.wbaboxing.com/boxing-news/today-in-boxing-history-marciano-tkos-lastarza#.ZD7pZWQpAWM |website=WBA Boxing}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 25, 1953 |title=Marciano Retains Title |work=Eugene Register—Guard |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19530925&id=RBdWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tuIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6638,6482393}}</ref>


=== Later career ===
=== Later career ===
La Starza was injured during the title fight, and required surgery to repair damage done to his arms during the fight. He continued his boxing career but was never the same again. He lost his next match in March of 1954 to top rated [[United Kingdom|British]] fighter [[Don Cockell]], and would only fight 8 more times after that. He finally retired after his final fight on May 8, 1961. During his over 14 year long career, he fought a total of 446 rounds in 66 professional fights, and won 57 of them with 27 by knockout.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roland LaStarza |url=https://boxerlist.com/en/boxer/roland-lastarza/10251 |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=Boxer List}}</ref>
Following the title bout, La Starza was hospitalized for injuries sustained during the fight, and required surgery to treat the damage done to his arms. He continued his boxing career but was never the same again. He lost his next match in March 1954 to [[United Kingdom|British]] champion [[Don Cockell]], and went on to lose half of his subsequent eight fights. La Starza finally retired after his final fight on May 8, 1961. During his over 14 year long career, he fought a total of 446 rounds in 66 professional fights, and won 57 of them with 27 by knockout.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roland LaStarza |url=https://boxerlist.com/en/boxer/roland-lastarza/10251 |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=Boxer List}}</ref>


After his boxing career La Starza appeared on [[television]] in a number of stereotypical tough-guy roles. His biggest break was a regular role as Pvt. Ernie Lucavich on the short-lived [[World War II]] series ''[[The Gallant Men]]''. He also did guest appearances on various shows including ''[[77 Sunset Strip]]'', ''[[The Wild Wild West]]'' and ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]''. He appeared in two episodes (13 and 14) of the ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]'' series of the 1960s, and appeared in movies including ''[[Point Blank (1967 film)|Point Blank]]'' (1967) and ''[[The Outfit (1973 film)|The Outfit]]'' (1973).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roland La Straza |url=https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0479062/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=IMDb}}</ref>
After his boxing career La Starza appeared on [[television]] in a number of stereotypical tough-guy roles. His biggest break was a regular role as Pvt. Ernie Lucavich on the short-lived [[World War II]] series ''[[The Gallant Men]]''. He also did guest appearances on various shows including ''[[77 Sunset Strip]]'', ''[[The Wild Wild West]]'' and ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]''. He appeared in two episodes (13 and 14) of the ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]'' series of the 1960s, and appeared in movies including ''[[Point Blank (1967 film)|Point Blank]]'' (1967) and ''[[The Outfit (1973 film)|The Outfit]]'' (1973).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roland La Straza |url=https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0479062/ |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=IMDb}}</ref>
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==Professional boxing record==
==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary|draws=0|ko-wins=27|ko-losses=2|dec-wins=30|dec-losses=7}}
{{s-start}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="8"|'''57 Wins''' (27 knockouts), '''9 losses''' (2 knockouts), '''0 Draws'''<ref name="BoxRecLaStarza">[http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/12212 Roland La Starza's Boxing Record]. boxrec.com. Retrieved 01 May 2015.</ref>
|- style="text-align:center; background:#e3e3e3;"
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|'''Res.'''
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|'''Record'''
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|'''Opponent'''
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|'''Type'''
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|'''Round'''
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|'''Date'''
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|'''Location'''
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|'''Notes'''
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 1-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Dave Glanton {{small|(1-10-0)}}
| Pts
| -
| {{small|07/07/1947}}
|align=left|[[Queensboro Arena]], [[Long Island City]], [[Queens, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 2-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Zack Johnson {{small|(1-0-0)}}
| KO
| 6 (6)
| {{small|07/15/1947}}
|align=left|[[Jerome Stadium]], [[Bronx, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 3-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Al Zappala {{small|(16-20-1)}}
| KO
| -
| {{small|08/12/1947}}
|align=left|[[Jerome Stadium]], [[Bronx, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 4-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Jimmy Dodd {{small|(7-7-2)}}
| TKO
| -
| {{small|08/25/1947}}
|align=left|[[Queensboro Arena]], [[Long Island City]], [[Queens, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 5-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Jim Johnson {{small|(3-15-2)}}
| KO
| -
| {{small|09/09/1947}}
|align=left|[[Jerome Stadium]], [[Bronx, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 6-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Zeke Brown {{small|(0-7-0)}}
| KO
| -
| {{small|10/10/1947}}
|align=left|[[Saint Nicholas Arena]], [[New York, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 7-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Matt Mincey {{small|(0-4-0)}}
| PTS
| -
| {{small|10/21/1947}}
|align=left|[[Park Arena]], [[Bronx, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 8-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Jimmy Evans {{small|(14-4-0)}}
| PTS
| -
| {{small|10/31/1947}}
|align=left|[[Madison Square Garden]], [[New York, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 9-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Lorne McCarthy {{small|(1-6-1)}}
| PTS
| -
| {{small|11/11/1947}}
|align=left|[[Park Arena]], [[Bronx, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 10-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Matt Mincey {{small|(0-6-0)}}
| PTS
| -
| {{small|12/01/1947}}
|align=left|[[Saint Nicholas Arena]], [[New York, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 11-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Fred Ramsey {{small|(8-8-1)}}
| TKO
| -
| {{small|12/13/1947}}
|align=left|[[Ridgewood Grove]], [[Brooklyn, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 12-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Luther McMillan {{small|(13-16-1)}}
| TKO
| -
| {{small|12/23/1947}}
|align=left|[[Park Arena]], [[Bronx, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 13-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Mike Belluscio {{small|(12-9-1)}}
| PTS
| -
| {{small|01/30/1948}}
|align=left|[[Madison Square Garden]], [[New York, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 14-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Frankie Reed {{small|(1-7-0)}}
| TKO
| -
| {{small|02/14/1948}}
|align=left|[[Ridgewood Grove]], [[Brooklyn, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 15-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Jimmy White {{small|(9-16-0)}}
| KO
| -
| {{small|02/24/1948}}
|align=left|[[Park Arena]], [[Bronx, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 16-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Steve King {{small|(9-1-1)}}
| PTS
| -
| {{small|03/19/1948}}
|align=left|[[Madison Square Garden]], [[New York, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 17-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Claude McClintock {{small|(0-2-0)}}
| PTS
| -
| {{small|04/07/1948}}
|align=left|[[State Armory (Bridgeport, Connecticut)|State Armory]], [[Bridgeport, Connecticut]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 18-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} John Holloway {{small|(2-9-0)}}
| TKO
| -
| {{small|04/24/1948}}
|align=left|[[Ridgewood Grove]], [[Brooklyn, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 19-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Freddie McManus {{small|(6-11-1)}}
| PTS
| -
| {{small|05/04/1948}}
|align=left|[[Park Arena]], [[Bronx, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 20-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Ben Rusk {{small|(18-14-5)}}
| PTS
| -
| {{small|06/25/1948}}
|align=left|[[Yankee Stadium]], [[Bronx, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 21-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Tony Gangemi {{small|(20-15-2)}}
| PTS
| -
| {{small|07/14/1948}}
|align=left|[[Jerome Stadium]], [[Bronx, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 22-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Oscar Goode {{small|(43-22-2)}}
| TKO
| -
| {{small|07/27/1948}}
|align=left|[[MacArthur Stadium]], [[Brooklyn, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 23-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Teddy George {{small|(none)}}
| KO
| -
| {{small|08/17/1948}}
|align=left|[[MacArthur Stadium]], [[Brooklyn, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|
|- align=center
|{{yes2}}Win
| 24-0-0
| {{flagicon|USA|1912}} Mel McKinney {{small|(7-9-1)}}
| KO
| -
| {{small|08/30/1948}}
|align=left|[[Queensboro Arena]], [[Long Island City]], [[Queens, New York]], [[United States]]
|align=left|

|- align=center
{{s-end}}


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
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[[Category:Sportspeople from Volusia County, Florida]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Volusia County, Florida]]
[[Category:American male boxers]]
[[Category:American male boxers]]
[[Category:Van Nest, Bronx]]
[[Category:People from Van Nest, Bronx]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 19:34, 23 November 2024

Roland La Starza
La Starza, circa 1951
Born(1927-05-12)May 12, 1927
The Bronx
DiedSeptember 30, 2009(2009-09-30) (aged 82)
Port Orange, Florida
Nationality American
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Reach72 in (183 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights66
Wins57
Wins by KO27
Losses9

Roland La Starza (May 12, 1927 – September 30, 2009) was an American boxer and actor. La Starza was a top rated heavyweight contender in the early 1950s and is best known for his two fights with heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano.

Biography

[edit]
La Starza was born and raised in the Van Nest neighborhood of New York City

Early life and career

[edit]

Born in 1927, La Starza grew up in the Van Nest section of the Bronx. La Starza’s skills for boxing showed early, and he would become a very crafty out-boxer and counterpuncher. He had a very successful amateur career, winning five Golden Gloves titles in New York in 1944 and 1945. He began his professional career on July 7, 1947, and in less than three years, put together an undefeated record of 37 straight victories. This would line him up for a fight with another undefeated, rising heavyweight.[1]

Fights with Marciano

[edit]
See also: Rocky Marciano vs. Roland La Starza

La Starza and Rocky Marciano met for the first time in Madison Square Garden on March 24, 1950. La Straza fought well, and although the fight went against him on a split decision, La Starza may have come closer than any other boxer to defeating Marciano. The scoring for the bout was 5–4, 4–5, and 5–5, but La Starza lost on a supplemental point system used by New York and Massachusetts at that time (which was awarded to Marciano on account of him scoring the fight’s only knockdown). La Starza felt he was robbed of victory, and even went on record in the New York Herald Tribune, March 25, 1950, as saying, "The fact is [Rocky’s] manager Al Weill was matchmaker for the Garden. I would say that had a lot to do with the decision." He maintained that belief for over 50 years after the bout.

La Starza (left) is sent through the ropes during his title fight

Over the next three years, La Starza fought 18 more times, (lossing on points to Dan Bucceroni and Rocky Jones, before avenging both losses in 1952), and eventually won a heavyweight title eliminator against Rex Layne in early 1953. This set himself up for what would be the most important fight of his career: a world heavyweight championship bout which was also a rematch against Marciano on September 24, 1953. The fight took place in an outdoor venue—the Polo Grounds in New York City. La Starza fought Marciano quite well for the first six rounds, but began to wear down as he took more punishment. Referee Ruby Goldstein stopped the fight in an eleventh round. Shortly before the fight was stopped, Marciano had knocked La Starza through the ropes. La Starza beat Goldstein's count, but the bout was stopped shortly thereafter on a TKO as Marciano battered the challenger relentlessly. This was the first of only two times La Starza was stopped during his career.[2][3]

Later career

[edit]

Following the title bout, La Starza was hospitalized for injuries sustained during the fight, and required surgery to treat the damage done to his arms. He continued his boxing career but was never the same again. He lost his next match in March 1954 to British champion Don Cockell, and went on to lose half of his subsequent eight fights. La Starza finally retired after his final fight on May 8, 1961. During his over 14 year long career, he fought a total of 446 rounds in 66 professional fights, and won 57 of them with 27 by knockout.[4]

After his boxing career La Starza appeared on television in a number of stereotypical tough-guy roles. His biggest break was a regular role as Pvt. Ernie Lucavich on the short-lived World War II series The Gallant Men. He also did guest appearances on various shows including 77 Sunset Strip, The Wild Wild West and Perry Mason. He appeared in two episodes (13 and 14) of the Batman series of the 1960s, and appeared in movies including Point Blank (1967) and The Outfit (1973).[5]

He, his wife (Jane) and two children (Amy and Mark) left California to retire at their family's cattle ranch outside of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, in 1972.

La Starza died on September 30, 2009, in Port Orange, Florida, at the age of 82.[6]

Professional boxing record

[edit]
66 fights 57 wins 9 losses
By knockout 27 2
By decision 30 7
Draws 0

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1962 Convicts 4 Duke
1966 A Fine Madness Angie - Sparrer Uncredited
1967 The Big Mouth Jack - Motorcycle Officer Uncredited
1967 Point Blank Reese's Guard
1970 Which Way to the Front? Von Krebs Uncredited
1973 Incident on a Dark Street Sonny
1973 The Outfit Hit Man #2
1973 The Don Is Dead Mert Shansky Uncredited, (final film role)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Roland LaStraza". BoxRec. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  2. ^ Ecksel, Robert (September 24, 2016). "Boxing History: Marciano TKOs LaStarza". WBA Boxing.
  3. ^ "Marciano Retains Title". Eugene Register—Guard. September 25, 1953.
  4. ^ "Roland LaStarza". Boxer List. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  5. ^ "Roland La Straza". IMDb. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  6. ^ "R.I.P. Roland LaStarza".
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Roland_La_Starza&oldid=1259171504"