Tony Alongi 'Florida Superstar'

Christa,

I hope you don't mind me posting some of the information I have on your father.

I always thought he was a pretty good professional boxer, like most here on this
thread will state. Your 'Dad' was the 'top box office draw' down in Florida, and
many were expecting him to make it to the top of the mountain.

It was not an easy task in 1962, 1963 and 1964 - as the Heavyweight Division
was filled with a 'tough bunch'.

Next up, his bout with Prentice Snipes, at the Auditorium in Miami Beach on Wednesady Night
June 12, 1963.

5-months after the Billy Daniels bout in New York, Tony Alongi will return the Auditorium in
Miami Beach, versus Florida Heavyweight - Prentice Snipes 17-2-0 (7 KO's) for the
Florida Heavyweight Championship. Prentice, a fast-punching 6' 1" 195 lb. Heavyweight from
Miami will present a good test for the 'comebacking' 23 year-old, 6' 4" - Tony Alongi 29-2-0 (17 KO's).

 

June 12, 1963

Christa,,,,,,,you are correct.

Your Dad did put on some weight, after coming in at 195 lbs. for Billy Daniels,
5-months later he was 209 lbs. for his bout with Prentice Snipes.

Thats 14 lbs. of 'starch' (Buitoni sono buoni).

Anyway, the bout at The Auditorium in Miami Beach was a Chris Dundee Promotion.

From the records, it says your Dad was the 'heavy favorite',,,,,

After a slow start in Round 1, Mr. Alongi then clobbered Prentice around the ring
for the next 3-Rounds, flooring Mr. Snipes (195 lbs.) early in Round 4. Then finished
him off with a right hand to the body at 1:35 of Round 4.

The Auditorium fans applauded Tony Alongi''s return to Miami Beach, where he
last fought on February 2, 1962 (14-months earlier).

Attendance; 3350

 

Tony Alongi to fight Philadelphia 'KO Artsist' Don Warner 17-9-3 (16 KO's).

The bout, scheduled for Wednesaday Night - July 10, 1963 at The Auditorium.

23 year-old Don Warner, a 196 lb. 'dangerous' right-hand bomber from Philadelphia, who
fought Cassius Clay in Miami Beach last-year (February 1962), will test the chin of
'Florida Superstar' Tony Alongi 30-2-0 (18 KO's), the #12 ranked Heavyweight.

Don Warner with Cassius Clay (below)

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Tony Alongi improved to 31-2-0 (19 KO's) as he 'knocked-out' visiting Don Warner
by a KO 4.

Tony, using his long reach, had his left jab working overtime in Round 3, as he
kept the Philadelphia Knock-out Artist at the end of his left hand. Warner who
attacked in Rounds 1 and 2 with right-hands, was punched backwards in Round
3, and was 'stunned' at the end of the round.

Tony the Kid, wasted little time in Round 4, and walloped Warner with an assortment
of solid punches, and stopped him by 'knockout'.

 

"Heavyweight Clash at Miami Beach"

Friday Night - November 8, 1963

The Convention Hall

#8 Heavyweight - George Chuvalo of Toronto, Canada invades Miami Beach
to take on #11 Heavyweight - Tony Alongi of nearby Hollywood, Florida.

This 10-Round 'Elimination Bout' will be 'nationally televised'. The winner
has been guranteed another 'televisoon bout' here at the Convention
Hall on December 27, 1963 versus #3 Heavyweight - 'Fast Eddie' Machen.

Promoter - Harry Markson from Madison Square Garden has also a 'television date'
available for the winner.

The 26 year-old Chuvalo, at 6' 0" and 210 lbs. carries with him a tremendous
left hook, combined with bull-type charges. The Canadian has a record of 25-7-1 (19 KO's).
George after stumbling in 1962, has won '5-Straight', including a '10-Round Decision'
victory over World-ranked Mike DeJohn in his most recent bout in September.

Tony Alongi, a 24 year-old The Hollywood resident and Miami Beach fan favorite, has
rebounded with '2-straight' knockout wins since his tough defeat to Billy Daniels in
New York on January 12, 1963.

The 6' 5" and 207 lb. 'Florida Superstar', has a tremendous reach of 83" to go along
with his quick left hand, and crossing right. Tony has a record of 31-2-0 (19 KO's).
Tony has added some mass to his previously fighting weight of 195 lbs., but he still
has a 'beanpole' appearance.

The early betting line has George Chuvalo as an 8-5 favorite.

 

November 9, 1963

Part I

'Controversy in Miami Beach'

Florida Heavyweight - Tony Alongi who won a 'disputed' 10-Round
Decision over Canadian Heavyweight - George Chuvalo in a
bristling battle on Friday Night.

In front of 2240 Convention Hall spectators, Tony Alongi 207 lbs. got up
from the canvas in the 3rd-Round after getting floored by a vicious left hook
to the head by the 210 lb. Chuvalo, and after getting up at the 3-Count, Tony
boxed with long-range left jabs, using his 80" reach and whip-like arms,
as George Chuvalo let his opportunity slip away.

Both boys slugged it, with the 6' 5" 'beanpole' Tony using stiff left jabs and
right hand crosses, and the 'bull' Chuvalo banging away with hard left and
right hooks to the body.

Tony Alongi had the right side of his body smashed by Chuvalo left hooks,
leaving his side 'flaming red'. Chuvalo left he ring with his faced bruised,
and eye-lids swollen.

During the bout, Referee Cy Gottfried, warned the Canadian '5-times'
for repeated 'rabbit punching', and hitting on the break. The constant
fouling cost Chuvalo the all important last and final 10th-Round, as
the Referee took the round away from Chuvalo.

When the points were tallied. The decision was announced as,
Referee, Cy Gottfried........95-93 (Tony Alongi)
Judge, Bunny Lovitt.........99-93 (George Chuvalo)
Judge, Jim Ruby..............95-93 (Tony Alongi)

Winner by Split-Decision, Tony Alongi.

After the Split-Decision was announced in Tony Alongi's favor, the
2240 in attendance at the Convention Hall boo'd the decision.

Matchmaker -Teddy Brenner could only bury his head in his hands, and
shake his head and say, 'It was one of the worst decisions I have ever seen'.

The Associated Press scored the bout for Tony Alongi, 96-94 in points.

Eddie Trotter (Manager for George Chuvalo) filed an immediate protest
with the Miami Boxing Commission.

Ed Lassman, of the Commission said there would be an emergency hearing
Saturday Morning (November 9), to determine if there were any discrepancies
in the scoring of the bout.

 

November 10, 1963

Part II

'Controversy in Miami Beach'

On Saturday, November 9, 1963 the Miami Boxing Commission called
an 'emergency hearing' following the controversial decision of the
previous nights 10- Round fight between Tony Alongi and George Chuvalo.

Chairman Ed Lassman, and a 6-member board reviewed the scorecards,
and interviewed Referee Cy Gottfried.

It appears, that according to the Miami Boxing Commission that Cy Gottfried
admitted to incorrectly scoring points for Tony Alongi.

The board, consisting of members; Brent W. Glick, Morris Klein, Jim Henderson,
William James, Fred Aronson, Frank Cohn and Robert Eisenman overturned the
Decision Win for Tony Alongi, and changed the verdict to a 10-Round Draw.

The scorecard of Referee - Cy Gottfried was originally read as 95-93
for Mr. Alongi. But was corrected, and ruled as an 'Even' scoring.

The controversy of the bout, cost both fighters a spot for a 'nationally televised'
fight on December 27, 1963.

 

After a 5-month 'lay-off' -Tony returns to the ring -

May 27, 1964 (The Auditorium - Miami Beach, Florida)

Tony scored a 'stoppage' (TKO 3) when his opponent 6' 4" 204 lb. - Harold 'Al' Gonzalez 18-3-1 (9 KO's)
the Arizona Heavyweight Champion - could not come out for Round 3, after taking a battering in Round 2.

Back on the winning track at 32-2-1 (20 KO's), and ranked as the #15 Heavyweight.
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January 17, 1966

Convention Hall - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Tony Alongi (211 lbs.) had little trouble with Philadelphia Heavyweight- Charlie Lee 8-5-1 (2 KO's).
The 6' 4" tall New Jersey Heavyweight backed up the 6' 1" 210 lb. Lee from the opening bell,
staggering him with a left-hook and straight right to the chin.

In Round 2, Alongi pounded Lee into the ropes, and dropped him with a right-hand to the body,
where he was counted out. It is scored as a KO 2.

Tony Alongi improves to 36-2-1 (21 KO's)

 

January 28, 1966

Former Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano purchases the fight contract of
Florida Heavyweight, Tony Alongi.

Rocky and singer Lou Monte invested in the career of Tony 'Florida Superstar' Alongi.

26 year-old Tony Alongi, now of Paterson, New Jersey - hopes to kick his stalled career
into high-gear with the help of the former Heavyweight Champion.

The 6' 4" Alongi, with a record of 36-2-1 (21 KO's) will now campaign in the northeast.

Tony's 'first bout' under the guidance of Rocky, will be a bout on Thursday Night -
February 3, 1966 in Portland, Maine at the Exposition Hall (3100 capacity).

Tony's opponent, will be 'Segeant' Grady Clay of Fort Deven, Massachusetts.
The 23 year-old 6' 1" 211 lb. 'Sergeant Clay' is a well respected 'military boxer', and
boasts an amateur record of 96-9 (33 KO's). As a professional, his record is an unconfirmed
14-1-0 (3 KO's).
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Tony Alongi had little problem with 'Sergeant Grady Clay, as he battered the former U.S.
Military Champion in Rounds 5 and 6, forcing Referee Pete Bennett to end matters after the
6th Round, awarding Alongi a TKO 6 victory.

Clay fought well in the 'opening stanza', and held his own in Rounds 2 and 3, but by the 4th-Round
the Fort Deven Sergeant was visibly exhausted, as he could not keep up with the fast-pace of the
World-Rated Alongi.

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