117-2-1 heavyweight who never got a shot.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by choklab, Jan 23, 2011.


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  1. choklab

    choklab cocoon of horror Full Member

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    I have been reading through my collection of old magazines. in a 1961 edition of boxing illustrated there was a feature on former heavyweight Paul cavaliere who was by then a referee.

    According to the article Paul, who boxed as Paul cavalier for 18 years, was 6'2'' 210lb and beat Tony galento, Jim Braddock, al gainer, lee ramos,les kenney and larry johnson but never got a shot at the title because he was (like a lot of fighters at the time)"too good" for his own good. retiring in 1938 he had been a sparing partner for Joe Louis who never decked him in 3 years.

    I have checked out what boxrec have on him and they have him listed as 47-5-3 with all his losses coming on points. He won fights at the garden but could not have been asked back. retiring on a 5 year winning streak in local clubs.

    Does anyone else have any info on Paul?
     
    choklab, Jan 23, 2011
    choklab, Jan 23, 2011
    #1
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  2. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    I might be wrong, but I have a feeling someone who posted here actually was friends with him.
    Hhascup possibly.
     
    Unforgiven, Jan 23, 2011
    Unforgiven, Jan 23, 2011
    #2
  3. hhascup

    hhascup Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yes, I knew him very well. I was over his house many times and he was over my house as well. Paul was not a very exciting fighter, he told me that many times himself. He was a defensive boxer with a good left jab.

    Yes he did beat James J. Braddock on a newspaper decision (8-2, 7-3 depending on what paper you look at) and won every round at MSG against Tony Galento.

    He was also the sparring partner for Joe Louis, Gene Tunney and Jack Sharkey. It was said that he actually knocked Louis down once. It was also said that while sparring with Tunney for the Tom Heeney bout, he hit him so hard that Tunney couldn't remember anything for days. There was suppose to be an article in a non-boxing magazine, that stated that Tunney said that one of the reasons he retired was that there was a Light Heavyweight from Paterson, New Jersey, by the name of Paul Cavaliere and he wanted to retire before he became a heavyweight.

    I asked Paul, about that and he said that it did happen, But I really don't know if it happened as it was stated.

    On his 85 birthday, I arranged to have a surprise party for him where I presented him with a World Championship Belt that had Paul Cavaliere, Uncrowned Heavyweight Champion of the World.

    When he passed away in 1993, I was asked to give the Eulogy.
     
    hhascup, Jan 23, 2011
    hhascup, Jan 23, 2011
    #3
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  4. Jorodz

    Jorodz watching Gatti Ward 1... Full Member

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    i feel bad i'd never heard of the man. thanks for the usual great info hh, well worth looking into
     
    Jorodz, Jan 23, 2011
    Jorodz, Jan 23, 2011
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  5. di tullio

    di tullio Guest

    Awesome info, HH. I love hearing about fighters from Jersey.
     
    di tullio, Jan 23, 2011
    di tullio, Jan 23, 2011
    #5
  6. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    That's great info, h.

    :good

    He's certainly a contender that deserves to be remembered.
    Lack of an exciting style plus great ability is always a handicap to a fighter securing a title shot.
     
    Unforgiven, Jan 23, 2011
    Unforgiven, Jan 23, 2011
    #6
  7. choklab

    choklab cocoon of horror Full Member

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    thanks for the info!!

    what an intresting character. paul was the ref for the final zale v graziano fight. The article said he despratly wanted to ref some fights in new york but was black balled for an unexplained reson.

    It just goes to show that no mater how good a fighter is he must make enough waves to be a daw at the box office. I also sence that it was down to excitement and not having enough of a following, maybe not having enough publicity?
     
    choklab, Jan 23, 2011
    choklab, Jan 23, 2011
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  8. choklab

    choklab cocoon of horror Full Member

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    what a classy touch:good
     
    choklab, Jan 23, 2011
    choklab, Jan 23, 2011
    #8
  9. hhascup

    hhascup Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yea, it was Great driving him and Tippy Larkin to boxing events all over. They were both Great Classy Guys!
     
    hhascup, Jan 23, 2011
    hhascup, Jan 23, 2011
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  10. Johnstown

    Johnstown Boxing Addict banned

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    Damn good thread....
     
    Johnstown, Jan 23, 2011
    Johnstown, Jan 23, 2011
    #10
  11. hhascup

    hhascup Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I agree and I also want to thank "choklab" for asking, Paul would have loved it!
     
    hhascup, Jan 23, 2011
    hhascup, Jan 23, 2011
    #11
  12. amhlilhaus

    amhlilhaus Well-Known Member Full Member

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    interesting, defensive boxers got little love even back then.
     
    amhlilhaus, Jan 23, 2011
    amhlilhaus, Jan 23, 2011
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  13. choklab

    choklab cocoon of horror Full Member

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    For all we know 117-2-1 Paul Cavaliere the best heavyweight never to win a title?
     
    choklab, Aug 4, 2016
    choklab, Aug 4, 2016
    #13
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  14. joebeadg

    joebeadg Well-Known Member Full Member

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    so did he have 117 wins or 47? But very interesting story. And I DO love defenses boxers
     
    joebeadg, Aug 4, 2016
    joebeadg, Aug 4, 2016
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  15. choklab

    choklab cocoon of horror Full Member

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    His boxrec record is obviously incomplete. Seems like he languished in a much lower level just to get work.

    http://www.njboxinghof.org/paul-cavaliere/
     
    choklab, Aug 4, 2016
    choklab, Aug 4, 2016
    #15
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