two ton tony galento....

Janitor,

I would also like to ad, and I'm sure that you'll agree, that Galento's career was quite possibly built on a number of fixed fights. I'm not going to say that they were all fixed per say, but the notion that some of those matches weren't quite on the level is a reasonable claim.

Boxrec shows that in 1934, Galento fought a journeyman named Battling Bozo. There is a caption beneath the listing that reads: " Bozo went down twice without being hit, and the fight was restarted. The second time he went down after being hit and was paid his purse of $75. " This fight was obviously a fix, and while I haven't read about any others, I think its fair to assume that the difference between Battling Bozo and some of Tony's other opponents, is that Bozo was obviously a bad actor.

It is also notworthy to mention that of Tony's 110 pro fights, 63 of them took place in his own back yard of NewJersey, while a number of others occurred nearby on the East coast. This was the stomping ground of the Italian mafia, and Galento certainly fit the bill as a man who was a favorite of theirs. Its no coincidence to me that he was often allowed to get away with fouling opponents, as I'm sure the referees and judges valued their own health...

Although Today's fight scene may be lacking a bit in talent, its not a venue where just any fighter from past eras could just walk in and claim an alphabet title. Although a vast degree of talent is not necessarily needed, you at least have to be in reasonable shape and posses a minimum degree of size. Galento's training habits were abominable. Though Sam Peter is no physical specimen to behold, I honestly believe in my heart of hearts that he'd kill a man like Tony Galento in much the same fashion that he took Maskaev apart, only sooner. Wlad would pound him into the canvas, and Chagaev would win an easy one sided decision..

Pardon my French, but there's no ****in' way this guy is winning a title today.......

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people who say he'd be anything more then a club fighter now adays are perfect examples of people who believe anybody from yesterday would rule today

 

I'm going to respond to this part of your post, as it seems to be a big part of the foundation of our conversation. Who exactly did Galento beat to deserve a shot against Joe Louis in some of his more recent fights, and more importantly, how were they looking at the time Galento fought them? You talk greatly about how being a rated contender in those days had to be earned. So lets take a look at Galento's most recent fights going in with Louis.

Abe Feldman - Only won 3 of his last 13 fights.

Natie Brown - Ony won 5 of his last 16 fights.

Jorge Brescia - Only won 5 of his last 11 fights, and had recently lost to Jack Roper.

Dick Daniels - Only won 7 of his last 13 fights, had regularly lost to journeyman, and was but 1 fight away from the end of his career.

Otis Thomas - Good record, but not many fights, and not too many big names in the win column.

Harry Thomas- Only won 6 of his last 14, and lost last 3 in a row.

Nathan Mann - Finally a man coming off a good streak.

Charley Massera - Only won 4 of his last 16, and would lose 8 out of future 9.

Leroy Haynes - Only 5 of last 10.

Lorenzo Pack - Never heard of him

Al Ettore - only won 1 of his last 6, albeit losing or tieing with good fighters though.

Of the 11 fighters that Galento defeated prior to facing Louis, only Mann and Ettore were respectable, while the rest were on bad losing streaks. Is this what you would define as world class? Who has Klitschko, Peter, or Chageav given a title shot to recently who was beating fighters of this sort to earn their opportunity?

Now you're justifying his disgraceful tactics.

Lou Nova was a contender and the fight that Galento took right after losing to Louis for the title. Don't you think that it was in his interest, to not risk being disqualified, given that it may have sling shot him back into contention?

 

Mac Foster of his era. Lorenzo pack was a solidly built 200lber who reached the monthly top 10 ratings at one point. he was one of the most avoided black contenders of his era. All of his victories came by way of knockout, he hit like a ton of bricks. A young jersey joe scored a win over him. Galento one of the only white dudes who would fight him.

A good fighter. One of the overlooked black fighters of his day. Gave Elmer Ray a decent scrap. Not many white heavyweights gave him a shot. Galento was one of the few.

Leroy Haynes dream in life was " i want a shot at joe louis, i can beat him." He was a ring magazine top 10 contender, who twice beat the **** out of primo carnera in easy fashion. Leroy at his best could fight. He never got his dream shot at louis.

 

You have to give Gallento one thing.

He was one of the few white contenders of the day who was willing to take on the murder row crew.

 

A lot of misconceptions here.

Firstly, Galento had a good amateur background, being a middle, light heavy and heavy champ of New Jersey during his formative years.

Secondly, Louis took the fight with Galento very seriously. He later claimed Galento was the only opponent he truly hated, that he wanted to torture him over the distance. Once dinged, he had to change that plan.

Galento's unorthodox style I believe is as much a result of his shortness as any lack of science. His style was pretty effective against taller opponents, staying low to the ground, weaving and setting up his dynamite left. Unfortunately, he didn't have much of right.

A very dangerous opponent for anyone.

 

I'm sure that there will be plenty of differences noted - but does anyone else see any comparisons between Tony and TONEY?

Who was the badder fat man?

Who do you think accomplished more as a heavyweight?

 

The comparisons between Tua and Galento might work on the surface, but after that hold next to no water.

One being... you know... Galento's total and complete lack of any kind of defense. Even fighters like Bear had zero problem tagging him.

Tua had a very, VERY underrated defense.

 

Gallento is the answer to both those questions.

 

Gallento is the answer to both those questions.