Primo Carnera

Primo Carnera was an Italian professional boxer and wrestler who reigned as the boxing World Heavyweight Champion from 29 June 1933 to 14 June 1934. He was known for his intimidating size, standing at 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) tall and weighing as much as 275 pounds (125 kg).

Carnera was born on October 26, 1906, in Sequals, Italy. He started his professional boxing career on September 12, 1928, against Leon Sebilo, which he won via 2nd round TKO. Carnera went on to win 5 more consecutive fights after his debut, including 4 wins via stoppage. On April 28, 1929, Carnera suffered his first loss against Franz Diener via 1 round DQ. However, he bounced back and won seven fights in a row, including a win over Young Stribling.

In 1930, Carnera moved to the United States, where he won his first 17 bouts by knockout. In Philadelphia, he faced George Godfrey, who broke Carnera's knockout streak by losing to him via disqualification in round five. The Italian boxer also faced Santa Camarão, who stood at 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) tall, and won the fight via a sixth-round knockout.

Carnera's size earned him the nickname "The Ambling Alp." He had a considerable reach advantage over most of his rivals and was much heavier than other boxers of his era. He was also considered a giant, especially in Italy, where the average height was approximately 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m).

On June 29, 1933, Carnera became the heavyweight champion of the world after defeating Jack Sharkey via a 6th round knockout. He went on to defend his title twice against Paulino Uzcudun and Tommy Loughran, both by decision, before losing his title to Max Baer on June 14, 1934. In the fight, Carnera was knocked down multiple times and was eventually stopped in the 11th round.

Carnera's first world-title fight came after 81 professional fights, while he was 26 years old, against Jack Sharkey, and won the NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles. He won one world title at heavyweight, a notable achievement that involved defeating some of the best boxers of his time. He had a total of 103 fights in his professional boxing career, with a record of 89-14, which included 72 knockout wins and five losses via knockout, and one title win.

Carnera made notable strides in the boxing world, and some of his best fights and victories include wins over four Hall-of-Famers, Tommy Loughran, Jack Sharkey, George Godfrey, and Young Stribling. He also defeated Seal Harris, Walter Neusel, Paulino Uzcudun, Hans Schönrath, and Reggie Meen in his illustrious career.

Prior to his professional boxing career, Carnera worked as a manual laborer and even fought in Europe's carnival circuit. His life, especially his boxing career, was the subject of several written and filmed materials, including the 2005 film, The Ambling Alp, which was based on his life.

Carnera's personal life was also impressive; he married Giuseppina Kovačič, a post office clerk from Gorizia, on March 13, 1939. In August 1953, they received dual citizenship, and the couple settled in Los Angeles, where Carnera opened a restaurant and a liquor store. The couple had two children, Umberto and Giovanna Maria. Umberto went on to became a medical doctor.

In 1938, Carnera, who was a diabetic, had to have a kidney removed, which forced him into retirement by 1944. He died in 1967 in Sequals, Italy, at the age of 60 due to liver disease and complications from diabetes.

Carnera's impressive size and excellent boxing skills made him one of the most remarkable boxers of his time. Fans admired his winning mentality, steady nerve, and ability to take knockouts as well as deliver them. Even though his boxing career was not without controversy, Carnera remains a name to remember in boxing history.

Primo Carnera Fight Record