Knew Rocky well, V. He was a raging killer in the ring. Outside, he was a fun guy who loved to laugh, 'specially at Willie Pep's jokes; but God help someone, because of his self-deprecating jokes, that mistook him for a clown. Rocky turned ax murderer in the blink of an eye.
Cus Damato claimed in his book "Making Neighborhood Heroes" he first handled Rocky. Know anything about it JG?
It makes sense proximity wise with Cus up at the Gramarcy gym and young JD Rocky laying out bodies in the EV LES. Rock had a younger brother I usta see around. They looked like twins.
Graziano was exciting as hell...great right hand...the 3 fights with Zale are classics...he threw caution to the wind...unlike most of the "safety first" fighters we see today...
Im sure hes gone by now but I can ask around. JG now that i have your ear. On another post i asked u of the ring prowess of Robert Conrad and Ryan Oneil. Could they duke any?
Interesting topic, S, 'n one I could go on and on about. Bob Conrad was a classic Napoleonic complex, wearing lifts that would challenge a runway model. More than anything, it was important for people see him as a street tough from the south side of Chicago, not an overprivileged actor. He loved the fight game, rubbing shoulders with fighters and trainers, imagining himself as one of them, a professional fighter. When he had enough money from his tv show, THE WILD WILD WEST, he had a ring built on the set and sparred lunch breaks with some of the Goossen's, who a stoked his ego (basically playing with him. He was paying them) telling him how good he was. He was a brawling, crowding slugger -- a la Powel Wolak -- furious to pound inside because of his lack of reach. He threw looping punches with bad intentions, but without serious power or hand speed. Flush with his sparring experience, he couldn't wait for someone to knock the chip off his shoulder in the street. A half-way decent amateur would have cleaned his clock. As for Ryan Oneil, he had a hair-trigger temper that would sucker punch with the least provocation. He was a good athlete with quick twitch muscles and pretty good pop 'n hand speed, but he was basically a barroom fighter who needed to bully instantly. My instinct was his bravado would fade if someone fought back.
Ha!! Excellent analyses jg!! I'll stick to my man Jack Palance as a genuine Hollywood tough guy. He and Joe Baksie staged a slam bang 4 rounder as a cuplla prelim boys. Joe just squeaked home and copped the duke. I have the clip in my files. Jack always terminated the conversation whenever it arouse much like my WW 2 combat vet dad. Another tough guy trait!