R.I.P. Danny Nardico. I know his name because one of the very first boxing magazines I bought as a kid did a retrospective report on Nardico's win over LaMotta.
He was not pleased that his knockdown and victory over LaMotta was omitted from the movie "Raging Bull." Although the defining event of his life was his valorous military service and wartime heroism as a United States Marine (which would qualify him for internment at Arlington if that was the preference for an eternal resting place), he was most famous and justifiably proud of his achievement in stopping a still superb LaMotta, on an apparent career saving three fight win streak. (In having just won a close rematch with Bob Murphy, Jake looked good, and remained a star television attraction.) I figured he'd appreciate that footage of their fight be posted and viewed by us in commemoration. My father, having also served in the USMC, simply replied "Semper Fi" when informed of Nardico's passing, certainly a common and standard tribute today among Corps veterans who remember Danny.
D, I remember danny Nardico very well..A tough punching ex Marine, who fought along with a couple of other tough non-champ Lt Heavies,such as Dan Buccoroni, Nick Barone ,[also an ex Marine who fought at Iwo Jima] and Irish Bob Murphy..Each would raise hell today as a light heavy. P.S. in the course of my job, i was in Al Weil's house, who managed Danny Nardico [and of course Rocky], and a phone call interupted our conversation. It was from Danny Nardico ,calling from Florida...
aawww shucks - bugs me that these guys have to go... Rest In Peace Danny - your buddy LaMotta told me you were one helluva tough kid the other month - god bless mate - you won't be forgotten ever by fight fans
No, I did not get to talk to him. His wife answered the phone and told him to pick up the extension phone, "Danny Nardico is calling from Florida ". I saw him once before at Grossingers Airport Hangar,where Rocky Marciano was training for a fight. Al Weil was collecting one buck per visitor to see Marciano train. Weil was connected...
