Primo Carnera's best wins. He was actually a good world level heavyweight

I find it funny that people on this site will praise Joe Louis' resume and explain how, H2H, he's one of the best fighters ever, but then in the next breath trash every heavyweight he fought to build said resume.

I know you get a lot of **** for your opinion on Tony Galento, but I agree with you. He deserves more credit. He hurt Louis in the first round and dropped him in the third. Galento also shows resemblance to David Tua in the way he fought.

Now, I do believe H2H that the 1930s and 1940s were a weak era for heavyweights. However, I don't claim to have much knowledge of the pre-Louis era, and even then, I'm no scholar of the 1930s and 40s. I do think Joe Louis would lose to some heavyweights who I wouldn't consider elite.

That doesn't mean the heavyweights of that time were bad, though. Many of them were skilled and polished because they fought so frequently. Primo Carnera is somewhat of a different case because even during his own era, he was considered a poor champion. Still, he had a decent jab and was solid in the clinch, and people should give him the same basic respect as any other champion because he didn't choose the era he fought in.

 

You're thinking of Galento.

 

Others will know his story better than I, but apparently , he had a first run which was almost entirely fictional, even to himself. He was led to believe that he had a level of power and ability that was just not there via fixed fights.

To his credit, when he realized that he wasn't that good, he worked on getting better, by actually using his size in a productive way. He was never a classic puncher, but could bludgeon a man to death if he got him trapped in the corner. He was never a classic boxer, but could use his size and reach. His chin was always problematic, but maybe not as bad as has been made out, and it was partially balanced by the fact that he could take it to the body all night long. And he was strong as hell in the clinches, not only from being big, but from being a trained wrestler.

He earned his place in boxing history, despite the fact that a lot of the early wins were dodgy.

Or so I understand the story.

 

I did forget to mention the fixed fights, but from what I've heard, I do think that aspect is overstated. Still, all valid points.

 

Again, they were early on, from what I understand.

 

he was dog**** and his fights were fixed. not just early on, basically his whole career.

 

He was a courageous man and his personal behavior was a credit to the sport and to mankind. I believe he legitimately defeated Jack Sharkey and should therefore be remembered as a true lineal champion.

 

Da Preem wasn’t as bad as some would have it but then again that “some” probably couldn’t rate him any worse than they do, totally bottoming out on old Satchel Feet.

If for nothing else I give Primo an A+ for the courage he displayed in his very real fights against Baer and Louis.

I’m among those (however many we number) who can’t buy into the legitimacy of his KO of Sharkey.

I mean, in all possibility, maybe legit but I remain more doubtful than not.

Suffice to say, Sharkey KD’d and whipped Primo in their first fight.

I know Sharks denied any fix until the day he died so I guess I’m doubting his word also.

I should also qualify that Sharks lost his next 2-3 fights before hanging them up for a few years.

I know Sharkey was always very fond of the almighty dollar and he made some very good coin via wise investments which allowed he and his family to live more than comfortably later in life.

One obvious question would be to wonder if anyone could’ve offered him sufficient money as at the time to part ways with the title?

 

Of course. Just about the best jabber that size. And he also had one punch KO power.

Carnera also finished his top flight career at age 29. He compares very well with "act 1" Wladimir Klitschko.

 

Interesting stat Carnera's record against HW's weighing 210 or more is 36-0. 215 or more his record is 31-0 and 220 or more it's 23-0.

Carnera was losing to Godfrey who he beat via DQ. But only 2 of the other 35 wins were decisions.

 

apart from the obvious facts that are well documented.

this isn't greb or langford. there is plenty of footage and he looks **** in every second of it.

you think hulk hogan was a great fighter too i guess.