"The Walking Mountain" sadly gets dismissed by fans and critics alike who believe boxing fairytales rather than the truth--- they incorrectly call him a "manufactured" heavyweight, and claim that he had no real ability whatsoever.
Not only is that ridiculous, it's demeaning to a man who busted his ass from 1928-1946 coming from absolutely nothing, going against all conventional wisdom and odds to become Heavyweight Champion of the World--- giving a sense of pride and joy to disenfranchised Italians.
Without a Primo Carnera, one can argue there'd of never been a Rocky Marciano & without him there'd of been no Muhammad Ali. How come?
Marciano told on many occasions that as a child when Carnera won the title the Italians in Brockton had bonfire's and parties all night. It was at THAT instance Marciano said that he wanted to be the Heavyweight champion of the world.
Just like Muhammad Ali saying in the years to come that he wanted to become the Heavyweight champion when he listened to the radio and heard the words, "And still the Heavyweight champion of the whole world Rocky Marciano!"
Carnera, for his size, was a rather quick-footed man with incredible flexibility. However, because of his extreme muscularity, he did not have the fluidity that leaner men had. Because of this, he relied more on a "pushing" jab and his defense was primarily having his opponents beat on his arms and gloves.
Like ex-champion Jess Willard before him, Carnera's best weapon was the uppercut--- this quantified his power, and he oftentimes found his mark with that punch. His hooks, he only used whenever an opponent got hurt--- because he was quite aware that because of his enormous gate and timing being such a large target and him being significantly slower than most heavyweights he'd get countered quite easily if he fought aggressively.
This made for slow-paced action at times, but more times than not "little man syndrome" would get in the way of common sense, and his opponents would try to take the fight to him and he'd hurt them badly.
He was the best "giant" of his time, and for many years to come. He defeated fellow behemoths Ray Impeltierre (6'9"), Jose Santa (6'8"), Vittorio Campolo (6'10") and of course he defeated the likes of Walter Neusel, Tommy Loughran, Paulino Uzcudun (twice), Kingfish Levinsky (twice), Art Lasky, Bearcat Wright, and several others of various skill levels.
Unfortunately, he's best remembered for his losses to Max Baer & Joe Louis. It's most unfortunate, too, that his win against Jack Sharkey has been forever tarnished by myths & speculation--- no thanks in large part to Bud Schulberg's novel (and later film) The Harder They Fall which was complete fiction.
This same kind of prejudice exists on the BoxRec record of Carnera. For example, his matches with Young Stribling have under the bout "probably fixed". But if one looks at Stribling's entire career it was NOT unusual for him to lose by disqualification or to be repeatedly warned for illegal tactics. Stribling was well known for thumbing his opponents in the eye, hitting behind the head, low blows, etc. and this was more frequent in his heavyweight contests.
While it is true some of Carnera's bouts were bribes, what is for certain is that he did indeed progress as time went on. No fake could have ever gone 15 competitive rounds with Jack Sharkey, let alone climb off the canvas 11 times in 11 rounds against Baer.
Unfortunately this myth persists, but it's origins are rooted in America's racist attitudes towards foreigners of all types, and the boxing writers hatred of the mafia who was starting to take control of the sport in the 20's & 30's--- and of course the threat of Italy's Mussolini played a large part in the rather unfair treatment of Carnera.
1929, following the fight with Jack Stanley in Royal Albert Hall, and billed as 6'9" & 20 stones (280). Later in life as a wrestler he'd be billed as much as 6'10".
1930, Carnera went 25-1 throughout the year. Apart of Carnera's barnstorming tour of the United States after having fought his first 18 in Europe. Meen was
26-12-2 as a pro.
1930, Carnera wins by DQ against fellow giant George Godfrey. This isn't the first time Godfrey disqualified himself in his career as he'd do it quite a bit.
1930, Carnera loses a decision to Jimmy Maloney in his first loss on American soil. The following year Carnera would avenge this loss with a decision win over Maloney. The Irishman had a rather credentialed career, fighting Jack Sharkey four times.
1931, Carnera knocks out fellow giant Victorio Campollo in two rounds; at the time Campollo was 6'6" and would later grow to 6'10" and fight him again in 1935.
1931, Carnera loses a competitive 15 round decision to Jack Sharkey.
1932, Carnera loses a ten round decision to Larry Gains the British Empire champion.
1933, the tragic fight of Ernie Schaaf, who'd pass away two days later. A competitive fight, it was unbeknownst to most everyone involved that Schaaf was suffering from meningitis.
Carnera training for Sharkey
1933, Champion Jack Sharkey gets kayoed in the sixth round after losing rounds 3, 4, and 5. Sharkey after this fight would lose to Kingfish Levinsky & Tommy Loughran. He'd retire, only to come back two years later going 2-2-1 before retiring for good after prospect Joe Louis kayoed him in three rounds. So clearly, no need to bring up myths of fights being fixed as Sharkey was clearly on his way out physically.
1933, Carnera beats Paulino Uzcudun by unaminous decision. These two men met before, with Uzcudun losing a split decision back in 1930.
Training for Tommy Loughran
1934, Carnera fights the popular former Light Heavyweight champion Tommy Loughran and wins a competitive decision over him.
1934, Max Baer and Carnera met on the set of "The Prizefighter and The Lady", hence why Baer is wearing the robe that says STEVE MORGAN, the name of the character he played in that movie. Carnera trained down to 263 pounds for Baer. Thrilling contest where Carnera hits the deck 11 times in 11 rounds. Back in those times fights were won on a round system and not a points system--- Carnera won rounds 4, 7 and 8. From the first knockdown onwards Carnera fought with a broken ankle.
1935, Carnera fights 6'9" Ray Impeltierre stopping him in the 9th round.
1935, Carnera faces 19-0 prospect Joe Louis who sends "Da Preem" to the canvas three times during the six rounds of action.
Special Note to Make at This Point
By 1937, Carnera begins having fallout will his managers and revamps his career as a professional wrestler. It begins with him knocking out wrestler/boxer Josip Zupan in two rounds in what would be Carnera's last boxing match until 1945 where Carnera sporadically fought on until 1946.
By 1949 Carnera claimed to be the Wrestling Champion of the World, and advertised it as such in the popular film MIGHTY JOE YOUNG.
1950, Carnera faces Jim Londos, with old rival Max Baer as referee for the contest.
Carnera returns to his native Italy. He still had a home in California, and would permanently live in Italy from the 60s til his death in 1967.
1952, Carnera allegedly had a 321 win streak before "losing" to Antonio Rocca who was wrestling's biggest attraction at the time--- though in reality Carnera had already lost matches prior to this. This match, though, was a draw.
1952, comedy film with Tino Scotti
Carnera in the 1955 film HERCULES UNCHAINED as Anteas the Giant. Because of his thick accent his voice was dubbed over.
Carnera starred in a few other films during this time, including A KID FOR TWO FARTHINGS alongside Diana Dors.
At the age of 60, Carnera passed away from cirrhosis of the liver. He had health problems since the late 30s having a kidney removed due to being diabetic. Carnera, a prodigious drinker, only exasperated his condition.
Snippet of a documentary on Carnera
In 2012 a biopic was made on Carnera
