Rocky before Rocky

Ezzard Charles, right, introduces himself to Freddie Beshore 74 years ago today in Buffalo, N.Y.

The boxing record book lists Harrisburg’s Freddie Beshore's height as only 5 feet 9 inches, the same as Sylvester Stallone when he creates the fictional Rocky Balboa for the movies.

Only Beshore really does fight for the heavyweight title some 26 years before Rocky hits the cinemas in 1976.

Beshore’s chance comes 74 years ago today in Buffalo, N.Y., where he falls to defending champion Ezzard Charles in the 14th round.

Beshore fights for four more years, finishing up in 1954 with a career record of 35-17-2.