In another active thread here his chin was compared to Hagler and LaMotta's. I'm curious if thats a consensus opinion. Four stoppages over the course of his career, two were cuts. The other two... First was against Harold Green a few years into his pro career. "Giardello was dropped by a left hook as the bell rang to end the 6th round. He was carried to his corner and was unable to continue." Second stoppage, end of Giardello's career. A TKO stoppage against Nate Collins. No details I can dig up beyond that. So...?
Russell,I was there in 1950 , when 20 year old Giardello was flattened by a neighbor of mine Harold Green,in the sixth round...I was sitting near ringside when a perfect left hook ko'd Giardello in the sixth round...It was Giardellos 30th bout then...Now let us see who they tossed at Jake Lamotta,before his 30th bout...Jimmy Reeves, Nate Bolden,Jose Basora,Jimmy Edgar, Vic Dellicurti, and finally prime Ray Robinson..All much superior punchers of Giardello's opponents, and they never ever dropped iron chinned Jake...Lamotta I believe wasin a league of his own, in his great ability to absorb bombs on his jaw,and remain upright....Forget the weight drained Lamotta in 1951 being stopped by Robinson...He lost about 10=12pounds to make the 160 pound weight,that fateful night Feb 14,1951...Best whiskers ever 160 lbs was Jake....
So two posters so far feel he was a notch below the absolute best chins in the divisions history. Hmm... :think:think
I thought I might have inspired this thread when I saw the title. I was exaggerating a little bit in the other thread, I'd put Joey G's chin a slight notch below Hagler or LaMotta, who are the absolute top of the food chain as far as rock jaws go. on a scale of 1-10, I'd say Giardello's chin was a 9, around the level of Monzon. I mean in over 130+ fights he was stopped concussively once (that I know of, I'm not certain about the Collins fight but that was way past Joey's prime regardless, one of his last fights I believe) against Harold Green which I've heard was a late shot after the bell, maybe burt could shed some more light on it. The man fought all comers at 160 in a tough era and was only let down by his chin on one occasion, and against guys like Hank, Carter, Tiger, etc. thats an impressive feat. Definitely an ATG chin, one of the toughest middles in the division's history.
A great chin, but style and skill was also an asset also when it came to keeping his feet. LaMotta has protested that, like Chuvalo, he had better defensive skills than he's generally given credit for. In the chin department, I rate Hagler tops at 160. The only time he appeared in seriously evident distress from a concussive impact was when he reeled about the ring in agony after the accidental clash of heads in the rematch with Antuofermo which led to Vito being stopped on cuts.
WuGambino,,As i posted before, Oct26,1950 at Eastern P'kway Arena, I saw Harold Green Ko Joey Giardello in the 6th round..I was sitting maybe 20 feet away,from the ring,and I can assure you the Left hook was NOT,I repeat NOT delivered AFTER the bell.It was a perfect punch from Harold Green, not noted as a one punch KO artist,at that time. But Giardello fell as if shot.way before the bell. Three years later Giardello decisioned Harold Green....B.B.Giardello was a hell of a good fighter at his best.Cunning...
Thanks for the insight burt just goes to show that even the best chins can be cracked, although at that point he wasn't the grizzled vet he would go on to become.
