Rain delayed the rematch twice. When the fighters finally met, Marciano carried a 46-0 record and the undisputed championship into the ring. Charles was trying to become the first former heavyweight champion to regain the crown.
Charles came in at 192½ pounds, seven pounds heavier than he had been for the first fight. His camp may have decided that another 15 rounds with Marciano was too punishing to repeat. The additional weight suggested Charles planned to hurt the champion early, but it pushed him toward a power punching fight that suited Marciano far better.
Charles landed cleanly in the opening round, bu
