Joey Giardello

Giardello was, in my opinion, one of the premier boxing wizards of all time...and I'm delighted that there's a fair number of vids of his that are available to watch. What a smart, savvy guy to watch...and yes, he makes it in my top 10..at #9, to be precise.

 

Well-schooled fighter who was a top fighter for over a decade. It's amazing that he finally won the title at 34 years of age after 120+ fights. He wasn't always as well-prepared as he could have been but in his defense he fought very frequently and it's difficult to be in the best possible condition each time out.

I wouldn't have him in my top 10, but he's top 20 material. At worst top 30, in my opinion. Just lacked the consistency and wasn't necessarily the best of his era, but it was a tough middleweight era he fought in.

 

It's a tough list to crack though. I don't have any official lists, but I'm sure I can think of 10 middleweights who I'd rate above him.

 

GP, who's around today that reminds you of Giardello?

 

I agree...Giardello was self taught basically...I don't think you can be the way he is without going through a long career of ups and downs..and if you survive an upbringing like that you're bound to learn something..Joey earned a PHD in pugilism, IMO.

 

My grandfather was at the Giardello-Robinson fight and said that Joey really looked good that night against Robinson.

 

Boy, it is Great to see Joey against Tiger again, and the referee was a Great friend of mine, by the name of Paul Cavaliere. Cavaliere held wins over James J. Braddock and Two Ton Tony Galento. I had the pleasure of giving him a surprise 85th birthday party, back in the late 1980's, and I presented him with a World Championship Belt. In New Jersey he was recognized as an Uncrowned Champion.

When Paul passed away, I was asked to give the eulogy, as many of the boxing Greats attended. Also when Joey passed, I had the pleasure of giving the eulogy as well. It just seemed strange to me to see those 2 in the ring at the same time.

Here's an E-Mail Joey's son sent me:

Henry, on behalf of my family, I would like to thank you for your kind words and bell ceremony during our fathers funeral last week. My mother was very pleased with the way you portrayed Dads career and the fact that you only rang the bell only nine times. I know pop would have liked it himself. I would also like to apologize for not thanking you in person but with everything that was going on at that moment, it had slipped my mind. Once again Thank You Very Much.

Sincerely

Joseph P Tilelli

 

Mr. Hascup,

It is a wonderful thing you when eulogizing a person's loved one. From your corespondences on the board it shows the human side of all the great fighters and people you've associated with.

Keep up the good work and God bless you and your family.

 

Thank You so much for those kind words. Since I became President of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame I have done approx. 200 Eulogy's for boxing people. Last year I was called to do Arturo Gatti's in Jersey City.

Thanks once again!

 

Giardello was hitting him so hard he was physically knocking the guy backwards. :shock::nut

 

A writer friend who lives a few doors from the Tilelli family has been working on an authorized bio of Joey G for about three years. From time to time I read passages. Good stuff. Think it's gonna be riveting.

 

Last year I got a phone call from someone who was writing a book on Joey. He asked me several questions about him and then asked me if I was the one that gave the eulogy for him, as he was at the church that day. Later I remembered someone coming up to me that day telling me that he was writing a book and would like to interview me. I wonder if he is the same writer.