MANILA, Nov 17: The World Boxing Council said Saturday that it plans to set up a statue honouring late heavyweight boxing champion Rocky Marciano in his home state of Massachusetts.

WBC secretary general Gabriel Penagaricano said the boxing organisation approved the statue of Marciano, the “Brockton Blockbuster” during its annual convention in the Philippine capital.

Marciano, born Rocco Francis Marchegiano in 1923, was the heavyweight champion of the world from 1952 to 1956, with 43 knockouts. He died in a plane crash in 1969.—AFP