If you head to Boston’s historic North End, you might catch a glimpse of a swinging boxer at the corner of Hanover and Cross Streets. At first glance, it’d be easy to quickly confuse the identity of the bust with famed Massachusetts fighter Rocky Marciano. It’s not the heavyweight fighter, but it is of a fellow world champion. It’s North End native Tony DeMarco who, on this day in Boston history, won the World Welterweight title.

Tony DeMarco is often overshadowed by Marciano due in part to his lower weight class, smaller stature and the 12 losses tacked on to his overall record. But as one of the prides of Boston, a homegrown champ, his athletic contribution on behalf of the city has certainly not gone unnoticed, exemplified by the fact that he not only has a statue poised at the entrance to the neighborhood, but has a street dedicated to him as well – Tony DeMarco Way.

On April 1, 1955 Tony DeMarco TKO’d Johnny Saxton in 14 rounds at the legendary Boston Garden, the highlight of his career and a long way from his humble beginnings on Boston’s Fleet Street. He participated in other storied boxing matches, squaring off twice against Carmen Basilio in what local publication North End Waterfront dubbed “epic battles.” In total, he jumped in the ring with eight World champs.

Though he lost 12 bouts, at 5? 5? he’s often considered one of the hardest hitting boxers ever to be rated a Welterweight.

The proof, as they like to say, is in the pudding:

According to a quick synopsis of his autobiography, after his boxing career DeMarco went on to open a successful nightclub in Phoenix, Ariz. though has since come back to reside in Boston.

Now 80-years old, he even attended the unveiling of the statue back in 2012. “Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that all of this would happen to me. I am very grateful and have been very blessed.” he remarked. “This is the neighborhood that I grew up in. I have always been greatly supported by friends and family in this neighborhood.”

image via NorthEndWaterfront