On Dec. 7, 1963, 15 years after his pro debut, Tilelli finally earned the world title, at age 33, by upsetting Dick Tiger in Atlantic City in a 15-round decision. The championship didn't change his carefree attitude. His lax training regimen, said to consist of macaroni and cheese dinners and beer, drove his handlers berserk, and his prefight dressing room was often crammed with chums from South Philly. "I was a natural," Tilelli says. "I wouldn't train. I just fought."
As someone who has worked in disability for the past 32 years I found this video very touching. Having to battle the mob, alcohol, etc is one thing. But to be the father with a child with Down Syndrome is something else. A great vlog again Rich and thanks for sharing!
Nice work… I’m his son Paul, it’s great to see all the footage. Brings back memories of watching film at the house for relatives. Although it’s always nice to see my pop on TH-cam some of the story isn’t accurate. 1 never called home to beg to stay in the army 2 went to Philly alone at only 17! And he never hit the attendant, he was in the back with a broke leg. Rich if you’re interested in knowing more about him I’d be happy to talk since I’m also the son who fought n spent a lot of time with him in the gym for years. Growing up many of the old time champs came to our house a lot , it was truly a great experience!!
Hi Paul. Hope the family is well. I had my Mom watch this also and she had the same opinion that some of the story is not factually true. It seems like the more time goes on and the further away we get from the actual events the people that were present at some of these fights are now passed and all we get are stories being passed on via hearsay like the old telephone game. Maybe some day this story will make it on the big screen... or even the small screen! Take care. Rob D.
Paul, I'm Chris Pavoni. My mother Jean Monzo Pavoni is your Mom Rosalie's cousin. I remember as a little boy my Dad Fiore taking me with him to your house in Cherry Hill. My Dad loved to tell stories of Joey and was at the fight in Atlantic City when he won the title. I have the ticket. Dad would love to tell me what an amazing counterpuncher your Dad was. Nobody better he used to say. Love watching all the video I can find on the web. What a great fighter and great human being he was. Btw, Dad always told me Joey never came out of the car and hit that guy with his crutch. This is a nice documentary nonetheless.
Hi Paul. My dad was a big fan of your dad and we attended your debut at Golden Eagle in March of 1983 also attended by many boxing legends. Even have a few pictures of my dad with Jake LaMotta. I'm curious why you hung up the gloves so quickly.
Nice one Rich! I remember in the ninth grade reading a short story about the Giardello/Tiger fight for the middleweight title. Tiger was not to be denied. Tiger himself was a great fighter who came from war torn Africa to become the champion. Keep them coming Rich, I enjoy this channel very much!
That was great!!!! Being from Philly and talking to the old timers (back in the day) about boxing this confirms a lot of those conversations. Georgie Benton is a friend of the family. Giardello, Mr. George and my dad are all about the same age. Giardello combined toughness, strength, power, smarts and skill. He could be real cute when he wanted to...he had an excellent jab. Thanks for sharing!
Another gem. I closely followed boxing as a kid (my grandfather fought as a young man and would watch and listen to fights with me) but was surprised that I had totally forgotten about the Giardello-Fullmer fight. A back alley brawl! These were golden years for Middleweights and Giardello was right in the mix in the top tier. The story of him and his son was a touching one. Many thanks once again Rich, these are the best boxing docs on TH-cam.
Sensational video. Man, does this ever bring back memories of old school boxing. What a great time we boxing fans in dem days. Every week there was a major boxing match on TV. The old Friday Night Fights, or weekend matches on CBS or ABC's Wide World of Sports. And for those of us who speak Spanish, we would get the matches from Los Angeles on UHF channels in the NYC Metro area. Those were special days for us boxing fans -- sadly, we shall never see the likes of those ever again. Joey Giardello ~ one of Brooklyn's many gifts to the world!
Nice work! Thank you for posting this. Joey Giardello was my favorite boxer as a little boy in the early 1960s, until Cassius Clay came on the scene. My dad (God bless you, pops) and I used to stay up on Friday night watching the Gillette sponsored fights, with Don Dunphy calling the fights. It was a great bonding time for dad and me. I remember reading about the Giardello/Carter fight. I was so happy Joey won. He was an old man by boxing standards when he fought Carter. I remember seeing a post-fight picture of them, with the heading 'Guess who's the winner, and who's the loser?' Judging by the picture, Carter won the fight, because he looked unscathed, while Joey's face was swollen and bleeding. But we saw the fight, and there was no doubt that Joey won. But it was a damn good, close fight. Of course, Carter got railroaded into prison for something he did not do, or else we probably would've seen a rematch.........
Love your channel and how you bring these fighters stories to life. Some tragic others triumphant, but all bitter/ sweet tales of life. This story I found especially sweet and real. Kudos to you.
I really like this one a lot! Very well done Rich. I like that Giardello was able to live out his life with his family and become an upstanding human being.....
I love watching and listening to the stories of these great fighters Rich. Thank you for bringing them back to life. Please could you make the story of the great Dick Tiger. Thanks.
Another great job Rich this is a guy I learned about from my bhof card set. He fought great all the way to the end. that should be a inspiration for older athletes to stay in shape and go as long as you can.
Not unlike Bobo Olson, he is one of the almost disregarded middleweight greats. He was so stylish, fighting off the jab and moving, yet never running. A beautiful thing to see. Yes, he suffered many defeats. But he had a tough life. It was more out of being irregular in the ring rather than not being so good. A great video again, Rich! Thank you so much!
@@paulweir5031 Who are "folks who know their boxing"? They're few and far between at best. Besides, you are obviously a case yourself, mate: in prime, Olson only really lost to Robinson (their first 2 fights were very competitive) and boxing phenom Dave Sands (and the decisions were controversial). But anyways, this is not about him, and indeed Giardello was a great fighter.
I'm commenting and just started watching because I have to say so far watching these clips of him got me off guard because on this channel I'm not surprised I more that I just heard of him but he looks so far what I'm seeing amazing punches and combos he's throwing. I'm only surprised that he's looking this good and never heard about him.
Thank You. I enjoyed this very much. I saw Giardello live in person seven times Jesse Smith, George Benton, Ernie Burford, Ray Robinson, Dick Tiger at A.C., Ruben Carter. and Gil Diaz.and saw all his TV matches from the Bobby Boyd fight in Sept. 1956.
Always was one of my favorite boxers. He was an excellent boxer and I am glad he got to be a champ, he deserved it. He made mistakes and paid the price. He was also sorry and atoned for them and change his ways. I am also glad they gave him a decent job in NJ. He was a good guy and did go things for kids, I salute him. God Bless you Joey. Rest in peace.
Thanks Rich, really well done. Gene Fullmer was from the Fritzie Zivic school of boxing. Anything to try to win. As Fritzie said, I butt em , I thumb em, I knee em in the balls, we’re fighting not playing the piano. Hope you can do videos of Billy Graham and Gil Turner
Giardello on form was a fantastically good boxer, fair enought that there is BIG questions regarding his handlers and therefore the legitimacy of some of his fights but on form and in with a quality opponent Giardello was sublime. Gene Fullmer, an ATG great MW but he was also the king of the "cheeky nodder". That was a murderously tought fight between these two guys, fair play to Joey for having none of that headbutt nonesense rather than complaining in defeat. Joey put on a masterclass against the ATG (and my man) Dick Tiger in that third fight. Great video Rich and a great subject. Respect sir.
I can remember watching Giardello and Giambra on black and white TV! If you can Rich, it would be great to see a documentary on Giambra. Thank you for what your doing-:)
Nice work Rich, as always. I'm glad Giardello called out Hollywood for the inaccurate portrayal of the Carter fight. Even Cater admitted that Giardello won fair and square. Also, nice to see an old school fighter who has a good life after the ring.
@@charleshammer2928 OF COURSE! That's Hollywood. The Movie "The Fighter" made Micky Ward look like a champion of the world when in reality he NEVER won any of the major belts. Ward was a dam good tough fighter with a SuperNatural left hook to the body, but come on!
The whole thing was inaccurate because when I read the real story of Hurricane Carter he wasn't has innocent has people think it's more then likely he did that shit he was a violent drunk and even beat up a girl who was defended him in the 70s.
Yeah, I thought that should be more well known. I have a copy of that fight and thought Giordello did as he pleased, after the fourth round. The Syndicate had nothing to do with that scoring. And that is another thing that bothers me. If a guy is Italian, which I happen to be, he MUST win his fights because he's connected. They never tell you that the H.O.F. is full of Italians that were just great fighters.
Really enjoy all your vids Rich. As an added bonus, the comments sections are always filled with great anecdotes. What a gem of a channel you have here, thanks again.
The 50s and 60s were an amazing era for the middleweight ranks. I had to figure out how good Giardello was at the time of the Hurricane Carter movie, but if you looked at his record--98-26-8--it was obvious that he was the real deal. Because more than half of those fights were against superb competition. So many great fighters of that era are forgotten now because they all fought one another repeatedly and so their records look to modern eyes as though they were less than the titans they were. My list of great or very good fighters Giardello beat would include the following: Billy Graham, Joey Giambra, Willy Troy, Pierre Langlois, Rocky Castellani, Gil Turner, Harold Green, Walter Cartier, Garth Panter, Emil Durando, Peter Mueller, Ralph Jones, Frank Szuzina, Bobby Boyd, Charley Cotton, Willie Vaughn (arguably), Rory Calhoun, Chico Vejar, Del Flanagan, Holly Mims, Jesse Smith, Henry Hank and Rueben Carter. He fought almost every one of them twice or as many as four times. I'm surely under-rating others he fought out of ignorance. His 1962 rematch with Detroit's Henry Hank was the Ring Magazine fight of the year. I'd like to know more about that one. Dick Tiger and SRR are HOF boxers and surely he beat more HOF boxers. Tiger he fought 4 times, going 2-2. He fought draws with HOF Gene Fulmer as well as with Joe DeNucci and Joe Micelli who were excellent. He had unavenged losses to Terry Downes, Ralph Dupas, George Benton and Johnny Saxton and they were all superb fighters. He was stopped only 4 times in 132 fights. The formidable Brooklyn veteran Harold Green 71-14 was the first to legitimately stop Giardello when he dropped and dazed him with a left hook in the 6th round in 1950, a year in which Joey previously also was stopped due to a cut to Carey Mace who had a good record but I know little about him. Green was probably a step up for Joey at the time from anyone else he had fought. Giardello ended Green's career in 1953 with a wipeout UD. He was only stopped two other times. In 1958 his fight with the great Tulsa fighter Spider Webb was stopped due to a bad cut over his eye. He was stopped in one of his four comeback fights in 1966 to Nate Collins a mostly undistinguished fighter. I was really pleased to find out how he lived out his days happily as a family man. He came from a rough world but a very decent one nevertheless.
Great job Rich on Joey Giardello and his boxing career. He fought most comers in his era and hope you make a documentary about Gene Fullmer, Dick Tiger and Georgie Benton.
I understand that a Giardello film may still be in the future. He was an extremely slick talent, much different than today's boxers, many of whom duck tough opposition through sanctioning body nonsense.
THAT is why, no matter what they tell you, these guys today just aren't in the same class. Not saying they can't fight. But if they spent more time fighting and less time ducking and mouthing, we may see if they are REALLY as good as the announcers try to say they are.
I am a cousin of Joey. Always wanted the family to do a film. Several times it was close. His life story is right out of Hollywood...Tough street kid, love story, army, brushes with the law, many fights in the ring and legal system, helped with charity, son with disability. What a great movie or even documentary.
It's been a while... But when I tune in to your channel , I truly enjoy it 👍. I enjoy this video even more because I was in 82nd Airborne in #FtBragg. "Pops"#truschoolsports🥊🥊
Wonderful video. My dad met Joey at a Downs fundraiser in Jersey City or Union City. My dad was from Bayonne and his friend owned bars in both towns. Joey would always come up.
Thank you for your great videos. So my next-door neighbor was Tommy Roman who beat Fritzie Zivic. Tommy’s brother, Carmen, trained Johnny DIGuilio. Tommy trained Red DiFazio. All Bayonne guys in the NJ HOF. Wepner lived 2 blocks fro me.
Well another great fighter I never heard of and a great one he was. Rich you do such a great job at these fighters I'm sure if any of their families see any of these fights they would be so proud of the way you do them. Thanks Rich I really appreciate you man
Those Italian-American fighters in those days were tough customers. I remember seeing the fight with Fullmer. Fullmer was butting a lot but it was his close-in fighting that resulted in the butts. Fullmer was a decent man and certainly didn't resort to the butts purposely. We don't see many of those tough Italian guys fighting anymore.
I recall one match I saw on black and white TV with Mr Giardello against Pierre Langlois back in the day. I don’t recall who one. I was pretty young at the time. They may have actually fought twice. From that point I became a Giardello fan.
Just came upon your Chanel one night and click onto this documentary about Joey. Enjoyed this very much. So much information . Thanks for sharing . Wondering if you can do something with a fighter from Jersey City . His name was Kevin Smith and was a light heavyweight from the 1970’s . His most famous fight was against Mike Quarry which was declared a draw . Many felt Kevin won the fight. Sad to say Kevin died from a gun shot wound and is still missed by many from the Neighborhood today.
Good one Rich, he was a really, really good boxer, on his night, always thought his fight with Downes was suspiciously bad. Considering what Joey accomplished later ?
Thanks, Andrew. It's really hard to gauge as Giardello does throw hard on occasion in that bout, other times he looks as if he's in a sparring session...He was a bit lazy in training sometimes and his manager was the nephew of a mafioso...so...It's open to speculation.
I wonder if ruben spoke up for him when they accused him of unfair win ? Ive read evrythng i can find on carter & dont recall anythng about it good or bad.
Very well done. No real amateur experience, but great timing and determination made Joey a fine fighter. The Fight Game used up its fighters with little regard for their well being or future.
Another great one Rich! I never realized Giardello wasnt his name! Being 3rd generation Italian on my Fathers side, I know a lot of immigrants changed their names to sound less ethnic, but changing it to THAT!? Lol. I see why now
I remember boxing monthly magazine wrote an article on all the lies in the movie hurricane. One of them being that Ruben was robbed against Joey. This was back when magazines weren't so blatantly political correct and told the truth. Joey was a great fighter. Wish we had Italian American fighters around now
I saw Joey fight once in Philly. It might have against Georgie Benton. He was a much better fighter than many give him credit for and never ducked anyone.
What an incredible story, and he ended up in CHEERY HILL NJ, that not that far from me I'm in NEWARK NJ but I used to go up there a lot, even MUHAMMAD ALI had a house 🏠 up there with his wife and kids, good job RICH.
@@mfactorlives810 my brother…literally in this same video about Joey Giardello we Learn that Joey had a problem with his role in the Hurricane Carter film and you still found a way to make that film the same as this???
Didn't know until now that Giardello was in the 82nd Airborne like me. That makes him like him even more..AATW.
At 17 he confessed his identity and age to the Army and then shortly afterward went AWOL from the 82nd Airborne to pursue a career in the ring.
On Dec. 7, 1963, 15 years after his pro debut, Tilelli finally earned the world title, at age 33, by upsetting Dick Tiger in Atlantic City in a 15-round decision. The championship didn't change his carefree attitude. His lax training regimen, said to consist of macaroni and cheese dinners and beer, drove his handlers berserk, and his prefight dressing room was often crammed with chums from South Philly. "I was a natural," Tilelli says. "I wouldn't train. I just fought."
Airborne All The Way! Airborne 95B Love that old glider patch!
Did he go AWOL ? Or did they just send him home because he was too young to serve?
@@TheOriginalBobbyD1492 Beer and macaroni training regimen, sounds like some guys I knew in the 82nd lol
What an era.
What a career.
15 years.
Never gave up.
Thanks for this.
Sure thing, Mr T
Haiku haiku hi.
Ku ku Haiku haiku ku.
Ku Haiku ku.
As someone who has worked in disability for the past 32 years I found this video very touching. Having to battle the mob, alcohol, etc is one thing. But to be the father with a child with Down Syndrome is something else. A great vlog again Rich and thanks for sharing!
My pleasure, oncall21.
Good points and thank you for what you do
The Giardello Story needs to be made into a movie!!!
Nice work… I’m his son Paul, it’s great to see all the footage. Brings back memories of watching film at the house for relatives. Although it’s always nice to see my pop on TH-cam some of the story isn’t accurate. 1 never called home to beg to stay in the army 2 went to Philly alone at only 17! And he never hit the attendant, he was in the back with a broke leg. Rich if you’re interested in knowing more about him I’d be happy to talk since I’m also the son who fought n spent a lot of time with him in the gym for years. Growing up many of the old time champs came to our house a lot , it was truly a great experience!!
A pleasure to hear from you, Paul. Hope you and yours have a great Holiday season.
Hi Paul. Hope the family is well. I had my Mom watch this also and she had the same opinion that some of the story is not factually true. It seems like the more time goes on and the further away we get from the actual events the people that were present at some of these fights are now passed and all we get are stories being passed on via hearsay like the old telephone game. Maybe some day this story will make it on the big screen... or even the small screen! Take care. Rob D.
Paul, I'm Chris Pavoni. My mother Jean Monzo Pavoni is your Mom Rosalie's cousin. I remember as a little boy my Dad Fiore taking me with him to your house in Cherry Hill. My Dad loved to tell stories of Joey and was at the fight in Atlantic City when he won the title. I have the ticket. Dad would love to tell me what an amazing counterpuncher your Dad was. Nobody better he used to say. Love watching all the video I can find on the web. What a great fighter and great human being he was. Btw, Dad always told me Joey never came out of the car and hit that guy with his crutch. This is a nice documentary nonetheless.
Hi Paul. My dad was a big fan of your dad and we attended your debut at Golden Eagle in March of 1983 also attended by many boxing legends. Even have a few pictures of my dad with Jake LaMotta. I'm curious why you hung up the gloves so quickly.
Nice one Rich! I remember in the ninth grade reading a short story about the Giardello/Tiger fight for the middleweight title. Tiger was not to be denied. Tiger himself was a great fighter who came from war torn Africa to become the champion. Keep them coming Rich, I enjoy this channel very much!
I appreciate the support, RE, thanks. Tiger coming up soon.
That was great!!!! Being from Philly and talking to the old timers (back in the day) about boxing this confirms a lot of those conversations. Georgie Benton is a friend of the family. Giardello, Mr. George and my dad are all about the same age. Giardello combined toughness, strength, power, smarts and skill. He could be real cute when he wanted to...he had an excellent jab. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure, Rusten.
Another gem. I closely followed boxing as a kid (my grandfather fought as a young man and would watch and listen to fights with me) but was surprised that I had totally forgotten about the Giardello-Fullmer fight. A back alley brawl! These were golden years for Middleweights and Giardello was right in the mix in the top tier. The story of him and his son was a touching one. Many thanks once again Rich, these are the best boxing docs on TH-cam.
Thanks very much for the support, Barry.
Great piece of work, people don't understand. You lose tough fights, your stock goes up.
Timing, wind, distance. Your ready, love it.
Sensational video.
Man, does this ever bring back memories of old school boxing. What a great time we boxing fans in dem days. Every week there was a major boxing match on TV. The old Friday Night Fights, or weekend matches on CBS or ABC's Wide World of Sports. And for those of us who speak Spanish, we would get the matches from Los Angeles on UHF channels in the NYC Metro area. Those were special days for us boxing fans -- sadly, we shall never see the likes of those ever again.
Joey Giardello ~ one of Brooklyn's many gifts to the world!
It is always a good night when Rich releases a new video!
It sure is!
The lives of Boxers are hard and their stories are told accurately by you, I appreciate your channel mate Thank You.
Always a pleasure, Duncan.
Wow. Your stories are masterpieces. This was another story of hero I had never heard of. Thank you.
Thanks so much, nyquil.
Nice work! Thank you for posting this. Joey Giardello was my favorite boxer as a little boy in the early 1960s, until Cassius Clay came on the scene. My dad (God bless you, pops) and I used to stay up on Friday night watching the Gillette sponsored fights, with Don Dunphy calling the fights. It was a great bonding time for dad and me. I remember reading about the Giardello/Carter fight. I was so happy Joey won. He was an old man by boxing standards when he fought Carter. I remember seeing a post-fight picture of them, with the heading 'Guess who's the winner, and who's the loser?' Judging by the picture, Carter won the fight, because he looked unscathed, while Joey's face was swollen and bleeding. But we saw the fight, and there was no doubt that Joey won. But it was a damn good, close fight. Of course, Carter got railroaded into prison for something he did not do, or else we probably would've seen a rematch.........
Thanks for the share, Milo. Always good to hear father/son bonding time while watching the fights.
Love your channel and how you bring these fighters stories to life. Some tragic others triumphant, but all bitter/ sweet tales of life. This story I found especially sweet and real. Kudos to you.
Thanks for the support, Paul.
What a great husband and father, true champ!
I really like this one a lot! Very well done Rich. I like that Giardello was able to live out his life with his family and become an upstanding human being.....
I appreciate that, Dale, thanks.
Thank you Rich, I've been waiting for one Giardello. You really had to a special fighter to be a champion during that era.
No doubt, Roman. Giardello had old school techniques.
Nice. I love hearing Philadelphia area fight stories.
I love watching and listening to the stories of these great fighters Rich. Thank you for bringing them back to life. Please could you make the story of the great Dick Tiger. Thanks.
Thanks, Peter. Still have Tiger on the to do list.
@@RichtheFightHistorianThanks 😊
silver medalist 1984 olympic games peter ,
@imahitman6 Yes, you are.
Thank you for the documentary. Much happiness to the Giardello family.
Sure thing, Security Cameras.
Another great job Rich this is a guy I learned about from my bhof card set. He fought great all the way to the end. that should be a inspiration for older athletes to stay in shape and go as long as you can.
Thanks, Jesse.
Great story Rich!!!! Awesome coverage!!! So proud to be a subscriber!!! Thank you for all you do!!
My pleasure, Dave. Thanks for the support.
Not unlike Bobo Olson, he is one of the almost disregarded middleweight greats. He was so stylish, fighting off the jab and moving, yet never running. A beautiful thing to see. Yes, he suffered many defeats. But he had a tough life. It was more out of being irregular in the ring rather than not being so good.
A great video again, Rich! Thank you so much!
Giardello isn't almost disregarded by folk who know their boxing. Lumping him in with Olson? Joke.
@@paulweir5031 Who are "folks who know their boxing"? They're few and far between at best. Besides, you are obviously a case yourself, mate: in prime, Olson only really lost to Robinson (their first 2 fights were very competitive) and boxing phenom Dave Sands (and the decisions were controversial).
But anyways, this is not about him, and indeed Giardello was a great fighter.
@@paulweir5031 Carl Olson was a quality fighter
Always a pleasure, Frank.
@@RichtheFightHistorian hey Rich big fan of your work I watch every video respect to the work you do.
I have said it before, but I LOVE that you make these. When I get an alert you made a new one, it is like Christmas morning. Thank you so much!
Always a pleasure, SagansWar
Thanks for posting! I was always a fan of Giardello. Great film. I wish it was longer. Thanks again!!
Sure thing, George.
I'm commenting and just started watching because I have to say so far watching these clips of him got me off guard because on this channel I'm not surprised I more that I just heard of him but he looks so far what I'm seeing amazing punches and combos he's throwing. I'm only surprised that he's looking this good and never heard about him.
Wasn't aware of Giardello before this documentary, thanks for the insight man, keep up the great work.
Thank you, Oscar.
Thank You. I enjoyed this very much. I saw Giardello live in person seven times Jesse Smith, George Benton, Ernie Burford, Ray Robinson, Dick Tiger at A.C., Ruben Carter. and Gil Diaz.and saw all his TV matches from the Bobby Boyd fight in Sept. 1956.
My pleasure, Chuck. Nice to hear from someone who saw him first hand.
Always was one of my favorite boxers. He was an excellent boxer and I am glad he got to be a champ, he deserved it. He made mistakes and paid the price. He was also sorry and atoned for them and change his ways. I am also glad they gave him a decent job in NJ. He was a good guy and did go things for kids, I salute him. God Bless you Joey. Rest in peace.
Appreciate this content, as always buddy. Once again, although I know his career reasonably well, I knew nothing of his life. Great stuff. Bless up 👊
Thanks, Nick.
Great documentary of one of my favorite fighters. I remember Joey so very well as a fighter.Thanks for the upload.
My pleasure, Chuck.
Nobody does it like you Rich. You're the CHAMPION of the Champions. ✝🥊
Thanks Rich, really well done.
Gene Fullmer was from the Fritzie Zivic school of boxing. Anything to try to win. As Fritzie said, I butt em , I thumb em, I knee em in the balls, we’re fighting not playing the piano.
Hope you can do videos of Billy Graham and Gil Turner
Thanks, James. Yeah, I was surprised how dirty Fullmer was in the Giardello fight.
Right to the face.
Knee to the 🏀🏀 's
Giardello on form was a fantastically good boxer, fair enought that there is BIG questions regarding his handlers and therefore the legitimacy of some of his fights but on form and in with a quality opponent Giardello was sublime.
Gene Fullmer, an ATG great MW but he was also the king of the "cheeky nodder". That was a murderously tought fight between these two guys, fair play to Joey for having none of that headbutt nonesense rather than complaining in defeat. Joey put on a masterclass against the ATG (and my man) Dick Tiger in that third fight.
Great video Rich and a great subject. Respect sir.
Thank you, Get Smart
I can remember watching Giardello and Giambra on black and white TV! If you can Rich, it would be great to see a documentary on Giambra. Thank you for what your doing-:)
Thanks, Gary. I came across Giambra while doing research on Giardello and added him to the to do list.
Great, job rich. I compliment you for preserving the memories of this great fighter.
My pleasure, Robert, thank you.
Awesome video like always tugs at your heart strings. God bless and thank you so much for the great videos
My pleasure, Billy Bob.
Nice work Rich, as always. I'm glad Giardello called out Hollywood for the inaccurate portrayal of the Carter fight. Even Cater admitted that Giardello won fair and square. Also, nice to see an old school fighter who has a good life after the ring.
Thanks, Mark.
The movie was a pile of B.S. from beginning to end.
@@charleshammer2928 OF COURSE! That's Hollywood.
The Movie "The Fighter" made Micky Ward look like a champion of the world when in reality he NEVER won any of the major belts. Ward was a dam good tough fighter with a SuperNatural left hook to the body, but come on!
The whole thing was inaccurate because when I read the real story of Hurricane Carter he wasn't has innocent has people think it's more then likely he did that shit he was a violent drunk and even beat up a girl who was defended him in the 70s.
Yeah, I thought that should be more well known. I have a copy of that fight and thought Giordello did as he pleased, after the fourth round. The Syndicate had nothing to do with that scoring.
And that is another thing that bothers me. If a guy is Italian, which I happen to be, he MUST win his fights because he's connected. They never tell you that the H.O.F. is full of Italians that were just great fighters.
I always loved Giardello's boxing style it's just a joy to see.
Really enjoy all your vids Rich. As an added bonus, the comments sections are always filled with great anecdotes. What a gem of a channel you have here, thanks again.
Thanks, Nick. Yeah, I enjoy reading a lot of the personal anecdotes viewers have experienced with the fighters.
Simply a perfect documentary. God Bless 🙏.
Thanks, John.
Great story and very well presented
Thank you, Richard.
Thanks for the amazing video Rich
Sure thing, John.
Another great piece. Thanks Rich!
My pleasure, Baja, thanks.
Thanks for you effoert Rich.
I had not heard of this fighter before
Sure thing, Andy. He was a great one.
Another good one!
The 50s and 60s were an amazing era for the middleweight ranks. I had to figure out how good Giardello was at the time of the Hurricane Carter movie, but if you looked at his record--98-26-8--it was obvious that he was the real deal. Because more than half of those fights were against superb competition.
So many great fighters of that era are forgotten now because they all fought one another repeatedly and so their records look to modern eyes as though they were less than the titans they were. My list of great or very good fighters Giardello beat would include the following: Billy Graham, Joey Giambra, Willy Troy, Pierre Langlois, Rocky Castellani, Gil Turner, Harold Green, Walter Cartier, Garth Panter, Emil Durando, Peter Mueller, Ralph Jones, Frank Szuzina, Bobby Boyd, Charley Cotton, Willie Vaughn (arguably), Rory Calhoun, Chico Vejar, Del Flanagan, Holly Mims, Jesse Smith, Henry Hank and Rueben Carter. He fought almost every one of them twice or as many as four times. I'm surely under-rating others he fought out of ignorance.
His 1962 rematch with Detroit's Henry Hank was the Ring Magazine fight of the year. I'd like to know more about that one.
Dick Tiger and SRR are HOF boxers and surely he beat more HOF boxers. Tiger he fought 4 times, going 2-2.
He fought draws with HOF Gene Fulmer as well as with Joe DeNucci and Joe Micelli who were excellent.
He had unavenged losses to Terry Downes, Ralph Dupas, George Benton and Johnny Saxton and they were all superb fighters.
He was stopped only 4 times in 132 fights. The formidable Brooklyn veteran Harold Green 71-14 was the first to legitimately stop Giardello when he dropped and dazed him with a left hook in the 6th round in 1950, a year in which Joey previously also was stopped due to a cut to Carey Mace who had a good record but I know little about him. Green was probably a step up for Joey at the time from anyone else he had fought. Giardello ended Green's career in 1953 with a wipeout UD. He was only stopped two other times. In 1958 his fight with the great Tulsa fighter Spider Webb was stopped due to a bad cut over his eye. He was stopped in one of his four comeback fights in 1966 to Nate Collins a mostly undistinguished fighter.
I was really pleased to find out how he lived out his days happily as a family man. He came from a rough world but a very decent one nevertheless.
Great job Rich on Joey Giardello and his boxing career. He fought most comers in his era and hope you make a documentary about Gene Fullmer, Dick Tiger and Georgie Benton.
Thanks, Scorpio. Tiger coming up soon.
@@RichtheFightHistorian No problem my man and thanks.
I understand that a Giardello film may still be in the future. He was an extremely slick talent, much different than today's boxers, many of whom duck tough opposition through sanctioning body nonsense.
THAT is why, no matter what they tell you, these guys today just aren't in the same class. Not saying they can't fight. But if they spent more time fighting and less time ducking and mouthing, we may see if they are REALLY as good as the announcers try to say they are.
Damn right!
I am a cousin of Joey. Always wanted the family to do a film. Several times it was close. His life story is right out of Hollywood...Tough street kid, love story, army, brushes with the law, many fights in the ring and legal system, helped with charity, son with disability. What a great movie or even documentary.
Another excellent video and story mate, your the best at this niche Rich.
All the best man 👍 😎
Hey thanks, Techno.
Thank you for this video. Amazing story
My pleasure, Champ.
Thanks Rich, you are the best.
Thanks for the support, Joey.
It's been a while... But when I tune in to your channel , I truly enjoy it 👍. I enjoy this video even more because I was in 82nd Airborne in #FtBragg. "Pops"#truschoolsports🥊🥊
Welcome back!
Wonderful video. My dad met Joey at a Downs fundraiser in Jersey City or Union City. My dad was from Bayonne and his friend owned bars in both towns. Joey would always come up.
Thanks for sharing, Clem.
Thank you for your great videos.
So my next-door neighbor was Tommy Roman who beat Fritzie Zivic. Tommy’s brother, Carmen, trained Johnny DIGuilio. Tommy trained Red DiFazio. All Bayonne guys in the NJ HOF. Wepner lived 2 blocks fro me.
Rich
I just watched again. Time flies. Terrific work, you do.
Well another great fighter I never heard of and a great one he was. Rich you do such a great job at these fighters I'm sure if any of their families see any of these fights they would be so proud of the way you do them. Thanks Rich I really appreciate you man
Thanks, Ron. Every now and then I'll hear from a family member on these fighters. It's mostly positive :)
@@RichtheFightHistorian I knew it would be you do a wonderful job for these fighters. Thank you my friend
Boy was that touching at the end
Great video rich
Thank you, Al.
Great video!
Great. Just great. Thanks Rich. Love your work
Hey thanks, Daniel.
Great video
Great video. So well done.
Thanks so much, Clem.
Beautiful vid, underrated fighter.
These are great Rich! You should do a documentary on Gerald McClellan I’m working on a few myself for my channel
Thanks, Danny. It'll be awhile before I get to the G-Man. I wish you much success with your channel.
Great coverage as always.
Thanks so much.
@@RichtheFightHistorian no doubt love the content keep it coming. If you'd like subscribe to my channel I also have some cool stuff.
Those Italian-American fighters in those days were tough customers. I remember seeing the fight with Fullmer. Fullmer was butting a lot but it was his close-in fighting that resulted in the butts. Fullmer was a decent man and certainly didn't resort to the butts purposely. We don't see many of those tough Italian guys fighting anymore.
I recall one match I saw on black and white TV with Mr Giardello against Pierre Langlois back in the day. I don’t recall who one. I was pretty young at the time. They may have actually fought twice. From that point I became a Giardello fan.
Great stuff Rich!
Thanks, Pat.
Just came upon your Chanel one night and click onto this documentary about Joey. Enjoyed this very much. So much information . Thanks for sharing . Wondering if you can do something with a fighter from Jersey City . His name was Kevin Smith and was a light heavyweight from the 1970’s . His most famous fight was against Mike Quarry which was declared a draw . Many felt Kevin won the fight. Sad to say Kevin died from a gun shot wound and is still missed by many from the Neighborhood today.
I'll have to look into Smith. Not sure how much media I can drum up on him but I'll add him to the to do list, thanks.
Just brilliant. Well done Rich.
Thanks, Stephen.
Rich done done it again! Great video!!!!
Thank you, HatianHurricane.
God bless all our "Great Veterans"👍✌❤🙏👊🇺🇲
Rich the historian another great video. Ijs
Thanks, Victor.
Wow! Grate story.❤
Brilliant !!! As usual RTFH
Thank you, C T O.
Great ambassador for boxing
Great story, thanks.
Sure thing, lowanglejack.
Good one Rich, he was a really, really good boxer, on his night, always thought his fight with Downes was suspiciously bad. Considering what Joey accomplished later ?
Thanks, Andrew. It's really hard to gauge as Giardello does throw hard on occasion in that bout, other times he looks as if he's in a sparring session...He was a bit lazy in training sometimes and his manager was the nephew of a mafioso...so...It's open to speculation.
tHANK YOU
I wonder if ruben spoke up for him when they accused him of unfair win ? Ive read evrythng i can find on carter & dont recall anythng about it good or bad.
Another great doc.! Anybody else notice it looked like Fullmer pooped his trunks?
Very well done. No real amateur experience, but great timing and determination made Joey a fine fighter. The Fight Game used up its fighters with little regard for their well being or future.
Thanks, Billy Bud.
Sergey Kobozev Brighton beach was featured in a HBO doc segment of real sports with Bryant Gumble.
Kobozev has been on the to do list but it may be awhile.
@@RichtheFightHistorian
Awesome.. I look forward to it.
Beautiful,
Yes we back look to this my guy Ritchie 👍
My uncle was a grave digger it became a joke , where's your shovel unc and he would hold his hands out lol right here his hands really where shovels .
I stopped fighting age 36 my brother still does a bit, but I was fighting bareknuckle and lawless got to think of the future, these are lions of men.
Should be at well over a million views unless everyone else is like us gathered around one TV screen 🤔 this is everyone's history!!!
Ricky Hatton doing an exhibition tomorrow the man's 44 ! Good luck to both.
Marco Antonio Barrera the man who beat him as a champion he's not getting any younger either, warriors.
Great video.
Thanks, Benny.
Love this history.
Another great one Rich! I never realized Giardello wasnt his name! Being 3rd generation Italian on my Fathers side, I know a lot of immigrants changed their names to sound less ethnic, but changing it to THAT!? Lol. I see why now
haha, thanks Brian.
This is possibly a bit niche, but you might be interested in doing a video on Welsh heavyweight boxer David 'bomber' Pearce.
I'll look into him, David.
I remember boxing monthly magazine wrote an article on all the lies in the movie hurricane. One of them being that Ruben was robbed against Joey. This was back when magazines weren't so blatantly political correct and told the truth.
Joey was a great fighter. Wish we had Italian American fighters around now
He avoided Joey Archer! Joey Archer the uncrowned champion!
I saw Joey fight once in Philly. It might have against Georgie Benton. He was a much better fighter than many give him credit for and never ducked anyone.
Do a video on Sergey Kobozev cruiserweight, Russian Brighton beach Brooklyn murder victim. Jesse James Hughes video was awesome
.
Also a very nice guy.
What an incredible story, and he ended up in CHEERY HILL NJ, that not that far from me I'm in NEWARK NJ but I used to go up there a lot, even MUHAMMAD ALI had a house 🏠 up there with his wife and kids, good job RICH.
Thanks, Donnell.
Whats up with the SUPER skinny legs on these older fighters?
@@jaysonb.6669 Shortly after posting, I caught that. Never did i , mention I was ungrateful at all?
He thought one month later. Fighters nowadays fight every two years.
Great great fighter. If Joey was a big puncher he would have won 200 fights
It's time for the Hurricane Carter story
There was a freaking movie
@@mfactorlives810 my brother…literally in this same video about Joey Giardello we Learn that Joey had a problem with his role in the Hurricane Carter film and you still found a way to make that film the same as this???
Is the raging Bull guy from the Martin Scorsese movie?
No, that's Jake Lamotta.
@@RichtheFightHistorian yeah I had a little online search thanks for the reply he just kinda resembled him is all
@@davemustaki134
You are correct.
Fought a lot of Black fighters in his time, something that Lou Duva did not like