I recently watched some old Joey Giardello fights. In the earliest ones, from 1954-55, the commentator mentions Giardello as a slugger who always came to fight. Then later, while looking at the fights from later in his career, his style has changed. No longer going toe to toe with his opponent, rather boxing circles around him, this especially in the Rubin Carter fight. The commentator even describes him as a "slick boxer".
My question is this: Did Giardello change his style sometime during the 1955-60 period? Did it happen suddenly, like if he changed his trainer, or more gradually like as if he just matured, like what happened to Marco Antonio Barrera. Or is it just the commentator calling what he sees right there and then without having any knowledge of Giardello or his fighting style?
Overall, I was impressed with Giardello as a fighter. With the exception of his early career he fought and usually beat solid opposition. The Carter fight was an easy decision win for him, not a robbery like portrayed in the Hurricane movie. Very good and probably underrated fighter.
-KOKid-
Joey Giardello question
Giardello was a great fighter. One of my favorites. If I recall correctly he changed his style due to bad hands. Another amazing thing about him is that he was Bobo Olsons #1 contender in the mid fifties. He got into an altercation with a gas station attendant that sent him to prison and he lost his ranking. He didnt win the championship until nearly ten years later!!! He probably deserved the Fullmer decision in 1960 but thats another story. Giardellos career is a testament to perserverence.
..giardello was in the top ten for about a decade. he'd get close to a shot and then drop a decision to a lesser fighter or, as written, get into a scrap with the law. he is a much under rated fighter.....i think at one time he said he learned a lot from his fights with billy graham, who was a very smart fighter and unlike most guys who were mainly boxers and not kayo artitsts graham was an excellent infighter. as his career went along, giardello developed into a nearly complete fighter. not a great kayo guy, but could hit hard enough to keep his opponent honest; not a fast stick and move boxer, but an excellent technician. plus...a good chin. i'd rate him as not outstanding in any one department, but above average in all of them. i was glad he finally won his title before it got to late for him.