A largely but unjustly forgotten fighter of the late 1920s and early 1930s who was a top contender for several years. The "Basque woodchopper"--who was really a butcher by prefoession--started his career in Europe, where he won the European heavyweight title in 1926. Came to the US thereafter and immediately rose to contender status with victories over big Dane Knute Hansen, future world title challenger Tom Heeney, and the ageing Harry Wills. These fights established his reputation for an explosive left hook and a very solid chin. Only 5'10 tall, Paolino fought out of a deep crouch that made him hard to hit cleanly.
Paolino--as he was universally called because noone could pronounce "Uzcudun"--got a bit off track thereafter with losses to the always dangerous Cleveland rubber man Johnny Risko and a certain George Godfrey. He pulled himself together though and got on a winning streak. This qualified him for the tournament to determine a successor for the retired heayweight champion Gene Tunney, but he was outclassed by Max Schmeling.
Paolino remained in the mix in the early 1930s, loosing to fellow contenders King Levinsky, Tommy Loughran and Earnie Schaaf. But he was still good enough to beat a green Max Baer in 1931. He even got a world title shot against the towering Primo Carnera in 1933 (the first purely European heavyweight titlefight in history), but was unsuccesful.
Paolino's career was ended 71 years ago by the hands of the young Joe Louis who he gave a fearless fight, even though his means didn't suffice. This was Paolino's one and only KO loss.
There is a short clip on youtube showing Paolino beating up the great Harry Wills: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6_G26Y4Rog