Tony Galento vs. Lou Nova

Tony Galento (right) vs. Lou Nova

Notes

The fight was promoted by Mike Jacobs and Herman Taylor.
There was a crowd of about 19,000. The paid attendance was 15,975
The gross gate was $69,806.49 and the net was $56,655.54
Both combatants received $14,163.91 apiece.
Galento was a 4-1 underdog.
United Press gave Galento every round except the tenth.
The Associated Press gave Galento 8 out of the completed 13 rounds.
The International News Service gave Nova rounds 1, 10 and 11.
The Washington Evening Star gave Nova rounds 10 and 12 and scored the 11th even.
Nova was down in rounds 3, 8 and 14, but the 8th round knockdown may not have been official as the timekeeper refused to count saying it was a push or stumble.
Galento was permitted to thumb Nova's right eye until it reached a terrible condition. Finally, Nova went down in the 14th round after being fouled for the last time.
"One of the most disgraceful fights staged since the days of the barroom brawls. Referee George Blake . . . would have retained his reputation as a great referee had he disqualified Galento." (The Ring, December 1939, page 16)
"Tony used everything but a blunt instrument on his dazed and bloody opponent. He heeled, thumbed, elbowed and back-handed the bewildered Nova as he lumbered to victory." -The Washington Evening Star
The December 1997 issue of The Ring ranked Galento vs. Nova as the third dirtiest fight of all-time.

Post-fight comments

"Although I warned Nova once for hitting low and Galento 5 or 6 times for fouls, I don't think any of it was intentional. Galento is simply a rough fighter. That's his style." -Referee George Blake

"I always thought Blake was a good referee until Friday night. He permitted Galento to use back alley stuff. Nova wasn't cut by any blows. His gashes came from butts from Galento's head. The doctors who took 5 stitches above Lou's right eye and 5 below it said no gloved fist could have caused such damage. We'd like to fight Galento again - in NY state, where you have to fight clean." -Ray Carlen, Nova's manager

"I knew I had him in the 1st round when I landed my first left. I kept saying at the end of each round I'll get him in the next round." -Tony Galento

"He fouled me and stuck his thumb in my eye. And if he wants to win that way I suppose it's all right, but he won't go to heaven." -Lou Nova