H2H and as far as legacy goes. How does he compare to: 1) Chris Byrd 2) Oliver McCall 3) Micheal Moorer 4) Ingemar Johansson 5) Jess Willard 6) James Douglas (Tokyo Buster and more standard version, if you rate them differently h2h.) 7) Max Baer, if they fought again a year later. Assume Carnera healed his ankle injury completely. I always held Primo in high esteem, but given the fact that he is a polarizing figure, I'm always curious about the range of different opinions people have on him.
Carnera would probably maul and smother Chris Byrd, to take a close points decision. He likely survives a few rough moments to outpoint McCall, but I would not be shocked if McCall stopped him. He probably imposes himself on Moorer, enough to take a decision win. I rank Carnera above Johansen, but Johansen is all wrong for him. After losing most rounds, Johanshen lands that big rigth, to put Carnera down. After a few more knockdowns, the reff rescues Carnera. Jess Willard is honestly a pick em fight. Again I rank Carnera more highly, but Willard is all wrong for him. Either Jess by stoppage of Carnera by points. Willard's lack of killer instinct, might just be enough to see him not installed as favorite. Tokyo Douglas should take this, but the version of the Holyfield fight, likely gets beaten. It would be very hard to favor him over Baer, given the outcome of their actual fight, even given the mitigating circumstances. He probably comes out of this something like 3-4 or 4-3, with none of the fights being a forgone conclusion.
IMHO: 1) Chris Byrd >Carnera wins by decision. 2) Oliver McCall >Carnera wins by decision. 3) Micheal Moorer >Carnera wins by knockout. 4) Ingemar Johansson >Carnera wins by knockout. 5) Jess Willard >Carnera wins by knockout. 6) James Douglas (Tokyo Buster and more standard version, if you rate them differently h2h.) >Carnera wins by knockout. 7) Max Baer, if they fought again a year later. Assume Carnera healed his ankle injury completely. >Carnera loses by knockout. In legacy, it's the same as above. Carnera's ranks higher than the 6 he beats, and below Baer.
Johansson ko's him, Baer too, confident picks, he outpoints Willard, a confident pick also. Byrd, 50/50. Losses to McCall, Moorer, Douglas but I'm not bullish on these.
Carnera was a better boxer than given credit for. Would have been even greater If he knew how to better take advantage of his size. I’d give him a chance at beating some of the guys on that list.
@djanders this is like when fighters rate guys they beat highly to gloat, we get it you knocked Primo out in a bar fight but be serious now!