Rocky Marciano v George Godfrey

Pop Newman was a British boxer active mainly in the midlands in the 1930s. Amongst other things, he worked as a sparring partner for Larry Gains, when he fought in the UK.

http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=197687&cat=boxer

After his fight career he set up a restaurant in Leicester, which is still trading today. Great for a post hangover meal. The restaurant is adorned with pictures of Newman with various boxers, including Larry Gains.

 

He certainly comes across that way in his book. Quite gracious about Carnera.

"But against Carnera you did have to be careful. For such a big man, he was deceptively fast. He didn't punch his weight, but he was a very damaging puncher just the same"

. I think those who lived and travelled like he did during that time lived fascinating lives.

 

No I would not put Carnera in a big puncher category myself but I think what Larry meant was primo was such a big guy and you had to be careful.

I think the perception of Carnera as having an entirely phoney career has been overplayed. I don't doubt that the larger percentage of a lot of his lesser paid opponents were less than enthusiastic to give away 70lb and took the easy way out. That is true of many if not all champions over matched build up opponent's. But Primo still got past enough worthy fighters to have been a better fighter than Hollywood made out. Neusell, Uzcudun, Laughran, maloney, Levinsky, Lasky and Schaff were decent operators.

Larry himself said of Carnera:

"I have watched the film of his fight with Max Baer and heard men laugh, as the big Italian hit the canvas over and over again. They should have cheered instead. Baer was a terrific puncher and only a brave man could have taken that sort of punishment and kept coming back the way Carnera did that night. It is true he was not a great champion. But remember he was heavyweight champion of all the world."

The perception of Carnera was damaged by the Max Baer fight. He possibly broke his ankle anyway. The top fighters of his time took Primo more seriously. Max Schmeling spoke highly of Carnera too if I remember.