Better All-Around Fighter: Primo Carnera or Riddick Bowe?

In the UK.Carnera was badly exposed against Larry Gains and left the Uk with a breach of promise action against him brought by a waitress. Jack Stanley was ko'd 24 times! Silk Purse ,sow's ear? Carnera during his time here was seconded by Reg Gutteridge's father and twin brother.I've feeling I know more about Da Preem than you do.

 

The NYT report of the Big Boy Peterson bout:
http://imgur.com/a/hzOx7

 

Carnera Wins in 1st; Purses are Withheld
http://imgur.com/a/4sfXT

 

It ended in suspension for the opponent.
http://imgur.com/a/qlirT
No action taken against Primo.

 

Owens Is Stopped By Carnera in 2nd
http://imgur.com/a/ybkP8

Carnera was definitely hurting all these people.

 

They seem to have reports on all the bouts. Even the 1930 ones.
He was dominating them, and hurting them badly.

 

They keep taking the **** outta him in the editorials:
http://imgur.com/a/uaKNk

But then seem to praise his actual performances:
http://imgur.com/a/mVOgH
http://imgur.com/a/dtdh8

 

After the KO to win the belt, Sharkeys manager demanded to see Primos gloves before leaving the ring.

 

Jim Jeffries Predicts Carnera to beat Max Baer:
http://imgur.com/a/PzS4v

Benny Leonard also picks Carnera, calling his defense marvelous:
http://imgur.com/a/eWvzN

 

Arthur Daley knew absolutely nothing about boxing. But back when the readers didn't have access to film he could put what ever nasty slant on a story he liked. Clearly he had not seen the Max Baer fight "shortly after he put Primo away for keeps" Primo was stopped on his feet!!!

Looking for the most sensationalistic angle the American press clearly went overboard once Primo lost the title with the "Giant exposed" angle.

Like all top liners of the day "marking time fights" were often set ups. They were doing it with Foreman in 1972 to keep him busy with guys who were knocked out 14 times in 15 fights, but nobody went back and made a hoax out of him after he lost the title, and it is right they didn't. Because there was no more grounds that Foreman, or any other champion was a HOAX anymore than Primo was. It's just the whole thing was that more sensational with Primo because they could lean on him being so big and stupid looking.

Then the Bud schulberg film came out in the 1950s that changed everything.

 

Primo was a bonafide SHW great.

 

Reg used to say Primo was a better boxer than given credit for.

 

Speak of an enigma.
You could call him either a ponderous oaf, or a defensive genius, and nobody would judge you different either way.

 

This is great stuff, thanks for posting!!

 

There are a lot of endorsements from great fighters of Primos authenticity. Benny Leonard, Jim Jeffries, max Schmeling, Jack Sharkey, Jack Dempsey, Larry Gains...