A Bet's A Bet: Rocky Marciano Statue Draped With Eagles Flag

BROCKTON, MA — Mayor Bill Carpenter never thought this day would come. Never would the Rocky Marciano statue be draped in the colors of the Philadelphia Eagles, but a bet's a bet and a deal's a deal.

As agreed upon prior to the Super Bowl, the statue at Brockton High School was covered in an Eagles flag and Carpenter wore an Eagles scarf. The display was part of a friendly wager with Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney where the losing city had to put the winning team's merchandise on their Rocky statue. The confident Carpenter said he was ready to buy a Danny Amendola jersey for Philadelphia's Rocky Balboa statue but it was not meant to be.

"I did not really think it was going to turn out this way," Carpenter said. "It’s been a great positive experience for Brockton, a great opportunity to remind the world that Brockton is the home of Rocky Marciano, to remind them of the only undefeated heavyweight champion in boxing and to let the world know we have a Rocky statue."

The bet came at the suggestion of resident Keith Hayes who noted that both towns had statues of boxers named Rocky.

Despite the unfavorable result, Carpenter said he enjoyed the experience and a chance for people to learn about Marciano, who left boxing in 1956 with a record of 49-0 and the world championship around his waste.

Below is Carpenter honoring his bet:

Image via Mayor Bill Carpenter's Facebook page