Tony Galento
Domenico Antonio Galento (March 12, 1910 – July 22, 1979[1]) was an American heavyweight boxer. He was nicknamed "Two Ton" after an explanation to his manager for nearly being late to one of his fights: "I had two tons of ice to deliver on my way here". Galento was one of the most colorful fighters in the history of the sport. He wrestled an octopus, and boxed a kangaroo as publicity stunts for his fights. He also boxed a 550 lb. (250 kg) bear, as a stage attraction.
Tony Galento | |
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![]() Galento in November 1938 | |
Statistics | |
Real name | Dominick Anthony Galento |
Nickname(s) | Two Ton Tony |
Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
Reach | 175 cm (69 in)? |
Nationality | American |
Born | Orange, New Jersey, United States | March 12, 1910
Died | July 22, 1979 69) Orange, New Jersey, United States | (aged
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 112 |
Wins | 79 |
Wins by KO | 57 |
Losses | 26 |
Draws | 6 |
No contests | 1 |
Style
Galento was a "no holds barred" brawler. He would use his short stature to crouch and fade away from opponent's longer attacks, and also conceal explosive upwards attacks seemingly out of nowhere. Galento was a notoriously dirty fighter in the clinch, often ignoring the referee and engaging in fouls such as low blows.
Galento was also known to refrain from showering to encourage body odor in a strategy to distract his opponent. Max Baer commented "He smelled of rotten tuna and a tub of old liquor being sweated out".
Training
Galento, who said he was 5'9" (175 cm) tall, liked to weigh in at about 235 lb (107 kg) for his matches. He achieved this level of fitness by eating whatever, whenever he wanted. A typical meal for Galento consisted of six chickens, a side of spaghetti, all washed down with a half gallon of red wine, or beer, or both at one sitting. When he did go to training camp, he foiled his trainer's attempts to modify his diet, and terrorized his sparring partners by eating their meals in addition to his.
During his prime years as a boxer, he owned and operated a bar named "The Nut Club" in Orange, New Jersey. He was reputed to do his roadwork (training) after he closed the bar at 2:00 a.m. When asked why he trained at night, Galento replied, "Cuz I fight at night."
He was also known to train on beer, and allegedly ate 52 hot dogs on a bet before facing heavyweight Arthur DeKuh. Galento was supposedly so bloated before the fight that the waist line of his trunks had to be slit for him to fit into them. Galento said he was sluggish from the effects of eating all those hot dogs, and that he could not move for three rounds. Nevertheless, Galento knocked out the 6'3" (192 cm) DeKuh with one punch, a left hook, in the fourth round.
Heavyweight championship fight
On June 28, 1939, Galento fought for the heavyweight championship of the world against Joe Louis. At this time, Louis was heavily favored (8 to 1) to stop Galento. Galento was not impressed. In a pre-fight interview, Galento summed up his perspective on the fight as follows:
- Reporter: "Tony, what do you think your chances are against Joe Louis?"
- Galento: "Joe who?"
- Reporter: "Joe Louis."
- Galento: "I never hoid of da bum."
He also predicted that he would "moida da bum", and telephoned Louis daily to personally inform him that he was a bum and that Galento would "moida him"—this colorful version of early tubthumping seems in retrospect to be Galento's standard manner of presentation (Look, March 14, 1939; Vol. 3, No. 6).[2] Louis later said "He called me everything." Though known as a splendid self-promoter, Galento had the significant help of "Uncle" Mike Jacobs to sell the fight via ballyhoo. Jacobs frequently posed Galento for photo ops and news stories with beer bottles, steins and kegs; an openly clowning shot had Galento drinking from a milk bottle, with Jacobs trying to grab it away.[3] Long before George Foreman was a cheeseburger-eating contender, Galento captured fans' imaginations as a challenger who trained on beer. It would seem almost necessary that, in order to show he was serious and properly prepared for the Louis fight, Galento stated that he had not taken alcohol for two days before the bout.
The two fought in Yankee Stadium in New York City. The short, balding Galento stunned the crowd, and his opponent, by staggering and hurting Louis with a powerful left hook in the first round. In the second round, Louis began hitting Galento with vicious combinations, opened a cut in Galento's mouth and floored the challenger with a powerful left hook that actually lifted Galento off his feet. This was the first time Galento had been knocked down in his professional career. In the third round, Louis was again hitting Galento with combinations when Galento caught him with a beautifully-timed inside left hook; this time Louis went down. Louis, however, got up quickly, but took no chances for the remainder of the round. The fourth round was brutal for Galento, who had no defense and was wide open for Louis' assault. Louis hit him with murderous combinations which forced the referee to stop the bout.
After the fight, Galento was inconsolable. Whitey Bimstein, acting cut man:
... he is sitting there with blood pouring from his eyes, his nose and his cheek. He won't let me touch the cuts. He won't let me take off his gloves He pushes me away every time I try to do something for him, and bellows, "You guys wouldn't let me fight my own fight. I'd've knocked that mug cold."
Galento contended throughout life that his trainers convinced him to change styles, and to fight cleanly; he regretted he did not fight "his" fight and foul Louis. Only a year after the Louis fight, Bimstein offered a different perspective, asserting the bob and weave Galento adopted in the first two rounds was working, citing the knockdown of Louis in the third frame as proof. "Then [Galento] thought he was John L. Sullivan, and came up straight to slug", said Bimstein, "and you just can't do that with Louis."[4]
Louis and Galento appeared together on The Way It Was, a sports nostalgia program (PBS), on January 29, 1976. The episode was lively, due to Galento's still-direct and colorful style of engagement. Louis showed a surprising side of himself when, after fending off a question by veteran fight commentator Don Dunphy, regarding any ill feeling vs. Max Schmeling (Louis stating he and Schmeling had not truly been adversaries but indeed "good friends"), he then pointed at Galento and stated, "But that little fellow ... he really got me mad. All those mean things he said about me while training for our fight. He got me mad, all right." Louis furthered this statement by revealing that his anger by fight time was such that he had decided to "carry" Galento, i.e. to drag the fight out in order to "punish him for those nasty things". After suffering the knockdown, however, Louis changed his mind: "[Galento] hit too hard. So I knocked him out as quickly as I could."[5]
Other fights
Galento's other two famous fights were with former champion Max Baer, and contender Lou Nova. The Nova fight is reputed to be one of the dirtiest and bloodiest fights ever fought. Nova was knocked down five times. Galento kneed, butted, gouged, hit below the belt, and on at least two knockdowns, Galento "fell" with his 230 lb (104 kg) on Nova, knees first. Referee George Blake finally stopped the mayhem at 2:44 of the 14th round.
Galento's fight with Max Baer ended when the referee stopped the bout in the eighth round. On the day of the Baer fight, Galento decided to first stop off at his bar. There he had a big bowl of spaghetti with meat balls, washed down with half a case of beer. After his meal, Galento became embroiled in an argument with his brother. The dispute ended when his brother threw his beer glass in Galento's face, severely cutting his lip. Galento was forced to get the cut stitched up, hours before the fight. Baer re-opened the cut in the first round, forcing Galento to swallow blood for the remainder of the fight. After the fight, Galento blamed his inability to "hook him around the head and butt him" for the loss. His record was 80–26–5 with 57 knockouts.
Less known is Galento's battle with Ernie Schaaf in 1932 (Newark). Schaaf was at the time ranked No. 3 by The Ring, and the fight was considered a stepping stone to a title fight with then-champion Jack Sharkey. The fight seemed jinxed from the first, however, rained out three times before finally taking place. It went the scheduled 10-round distance, but was a seesaw affair, rife with brutal infighting and containing many illegal blows. "Two-Ton Tony" repeatedly struck Schaaf behind the neck with right hand chops ('rabbit punches'). Schaaf, who recovered quickly, was stronger at the end and won the decision, but did not leave his dressing room table for long hours, while Galento merely collected his purse and went home. Schaaf's career spiraled down, culminating in a harrowing beating from Max Baer, followed by his death from light blows early in his final fight, vs. Primo Carnera. Fight lore has long held Baer's devastating right hand responsible for the ring death of Schaaf, but in the hardline culture of the 1930s, Newark sportswriters were quick to claim Galento and the above battle-royal as having done the telling damage.[6]
Professional boxing record
112 fights | 79 wins | 26 losses |
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By knockout | 57 | 6 |
By decision | 21 | 18 |
By disqualification | 1 | 2 |
Draws | 6 | |
No contests | 1 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round,time | Date | Age | Location | Notes |
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112 | Win | 79–26–6 (1) | Jack Conley | KO | 3 (10) | Dec 4, 1943 | 33 years, 267 days | Forum, Wichita, Kansas, U.S. | |
111 | Win | 78–26–6 (1) | Fred Blassie | KO | 2 (10), 0:25 | Jun 21, 1943 | 33 years, 101 days | Caswell Park, Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. | |
110 | Win | 77–26–6 (1) | Herbie Katz | KO | 1 (10), 0:25 | Jun 1, 1943 | 33 years, 81 days | Phillips Field, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
109 | Loss | 76–26–6 (1) | Buddy Baer | TKO | 7 (10) | Apr 8, 1941 | 31 years, 27 days | Uline Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
108 | Loss | 76–25–6 (1) | Max Baer | RTD | 7 (15) | Jul 2, 1940 | 30 years, 112 days | Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
107 | Win | 76–24–6 (1) | Lou Nova | TKO | 14 (15), 2:24 | Sep 15, 1939 | 29 years, 187 days | Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
106 | Loss | 75–24–6 (1) | Joe Louis | TKO | 4 (15), 2:29 | Jun 28, 1939 | 29 years, 108 days | Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. | For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles |
105 | Win | 75–23–6 (1) | Abe Feldman | TKO | 3 (10), 0:31 | Feb 23, 1939 | 28 years, 348 days | Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
104 | Win | 74–23–6 (1) | Natie Brown | KO | 4 (10), 1:13 | Feb 3, 1939 | 28 years, 328 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
103 | Win | 73–23–6 (1) | Jorge Brescia | KO | 1 (10), 1:41 | Jan 19, 1939 | 28 years, 313 days | Armory, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
102 | Win | 72–23–6 (1) | Dick Daniels | KO | 3 (4) | Dec 16, 1938 | 28 years, 279 days | Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. | |
101 | Win | 71–23–6 (1) | Otis Thomas | KO | 9 (12), 1:35 | Dec 7, 1938 | 28 years, 270 days | Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
100 | Win | 70–23–6 (1) | Harry Thomas | TKO | 3 (10) | Nov 14, 1938 | 28 years, 247 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
99 | Win | 69–23–6 (1) | Nathan Mann | KO | 2 (10), 2:04 | May 13, 1938 | 28 years, 62 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
98 | Win | 68–23–6 (1) | Charley Massera | KO | 3 (10) | Jan 5, 1938 | 27 years, 299 days | Armory, Orange, New Jersey, U.S. | |
97 | Win | 67–23–6 (1) | Leroy Haynes | TKO | 3 (10) | Nov 18, 1937 | 27 years, 251 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
96 | Win | 66–23–6 (1) | Lorenzo Pack | KO | 6 (10) | Sep 28, 1937 | 27 years, 200 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
95 | Win | 65–23–6 (1) | Al Ettore | TKO | 8 (10), 2:55 | Jul 27, 1937 | 27 years, 137 days | Velodrome, Nutley, New Jersey, U.S. | |
94 | Loss | 64–23–6 (1) | Arturo Godoy | PTS | 6 | Jun 22, 1937 | 27 years, 102 days | Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
93 | Draw | 64–22–6 (1) | Eddie Mader | PTS | 10 | Jun 14, 1937 | 27 years, 94 days | Ollemar Field, Irvington, New Jersey, U.S. | |
92 | Loss | 64–22–5 (1) | Arturo Godoy | PTS | 10 | Apr 28, 1937 | 27 years, 47 days | Hippodrome, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
91 | Win | 64–21–5 (1) | Don Petrin | PTS | 10 | Mar 8, 1937 | 26 years, 361 days | Armory, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
90 | Win | 63–21–5 (1) | Jack Moran | KO | 2 (10), 1:51 | Feb 15, 1937 | 26 years, 340 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
89 | Draw | 62–21–5 (1) | Don Petrin | PTS | 10 | Jan 18, 1937 | 26 years, 312 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
88 | Win | 62–21–4 (1) | Terry Mitchell | KO | 3 (10) | Dec 3, 1936 | 26 years, 266 days | Armory, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
87 | Win | 61–21–4 (1) | Roy Lazer | TKO | 6 (10) | Nov 9, 1936 | 26 years, 242 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
86 | Win | 60–21–4 (1) | Izzy Singer | KO | 8 (10) | Oct 12, 1936 | 26 years, 214 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
85 | Win | 59–21–4 (1) | Izzy Singer | PTS | 10 | Sep 14, 1936 | 26 years, 186 days | Meadowbrook Field, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
84 | Win | 58–21–4 (1) | Freddie Fiducia | KO | 2 (10) | Aug 24, 1936 | 26 years, 165 days | Meadowbrook Field, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
83 | Win | 57–21–4 (1) | James J. Taylor | KO | 1 (10) | Jul 28, 1936 | 26 years, 138 days | Meadowbrook Field, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
82 | Loss | 56–21–4 (1) | Al Gainer | TKO | 4 (10), 1:04 | Jun 19, 1936 | 26 years, 99 days | Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
81 | Draw | 56–20–4 (1) | Al Delaney | PTS | 8 | May 11, 1936 | 26 years, 60 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
80 | Win | 56–20–3 (1) | Eddie Blunt | PTS | 10 | Apr 6, 1936 | 26 years, 25 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
79 | Loss | 55–20–3 (1) | Al Delaney | PTS | 6 | Feb 29, 1936 | 26 years, 17 days | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
78 | Loss | 55–19–3 (1) | Eddie Mader | PTS | 6 | Nov 1, 1935 | 25 years, 234 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
77 | Win | 55–18–3 (1) | Al Boros | KO | 10 (10) | Sep 10, 1935 | 25 years, 182 days | Meadowbrook Field, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
76 | Win | 54–18–3 (1) | Willie McGee | PTS | 6 | Aug 29, 1935 | 25 years, 170 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
75 | Win | 53–18–3 (1) | Gene Mickens | PTS | 10 | Jul 29, 1935 | 25 years, 139 days | Meadowbrook Field, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
74 | Win | 52–18–3 (1) | Anthony Ashrut | KO | 1 (6) | Jun 13, 1935 | 25 years, 93 days | Madison Square Garden Bowl, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
73 | Win | 51–18–3 (1) | Larry Johnson | KO | 5 (6) | Mar 5, 1935 | 24 years, 358 days | Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S. | |
72 | Win | 50–18–3 (1) | Eddie Karolak | TKO | 4 (10) | Feb 4, 1935 | 24 years, 329 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
71 | Win | 49–18–3 (1) | Bob Tow | PTS | 10 | Nov 26, 1934 | 24 years, 259 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
70 | Loss | 48–18–3 (1) | Patsy Perroni | PTS | 10 | Oct 22, 1934 | 24 years, 224 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
69 | Loss | 48–17–3 (1) | Marty Gallagher | TKO | 13 (15) | Sep 4, 1934 | 24 years, 176 days | Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
68 | Loss | 48–16–3 (1) | Bob Tow | UD | 10 | Jun 16, 1934 | 24 years, 96 days | Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
67 | Win | 48–15–3 (1) | Marty Gallagher | PTS | 10 | Jun 15, 1934 | 24 years, 95 days | Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
66 | Win | 47–15–3 (1) | "Italian" Jack Herman | KO | 2 (10), 1:55 | May 25, 1934 | 24 years, 74 days | Portner's Arena, Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. | |
65 | Win | 46–15–3 (1) | Battling Bozo | DQ | 1 (10) | Apr 2, 1934 | 24 years, 21 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
64 | Win | 45–15–3 (1) | Owen Flynn | KO | 2 (10) | Mar 5, 1934 | 23 years, 358 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
63 | Win | 44–15–3 (1) | Larry Johnson | KO | 7 (10), 1:34 | Feb 5, 1934 | 23 years, 330 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
62 | Loss | 43–15–3 (1) | Edward "Unknown" Winston | PTS | 10 | Aug 28, 1933 | 23 years, 169 days | Dreamland Park, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
61 | Draw | 43–14–3 (1) | Don Petrin | PTS | 8 | Aug 14, 1933 | 23 years, 155 days | Park View Arena, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
60 | Win | 43–14–2 (1) | Don "Red" Barry | KO | 1 (10), 2:23 | Jun 8, 1933 | 23 years, 88 days | Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. | Not to be confused with Don "Red" Barry |
59 | Loss | 42–14–2 (1) | Obie Walker | PTS | 10 | Apr 17, 1933 | 23 years, 36 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
58 | Win | 42–13–2 (1) | Roy Clark | KO | 2 (10) | Apr 7, 1933 | 23 years, 26 days | Orange, New Jersey, U.S. | |
57 | Win | 41–13–2 (1) | Harold Mays | PTS | 10 | Feb 20, 1933 | 22 years, 345 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
56 | Loss | 40–13–2 (1) | Jack Gagnon | DQ | 3 (10) | Dec 12, 1932 | 22 years, 275 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
55 | Win | 40–12–2 (1) | Natie Brown | KO | 1 (10), 1:42 | Oct 17, 1932 | 22 years, 219 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
54 | Win | 39–12–2 (1) | Otis Gardner | KO | 1 (6) | Sep 14, 1932 | 22 years, 186 days | Central Park Arena, Orange, New Jersey, U.S. | |
53 | Win | 38–12–2 (1) | Charley Boyette | TKO | 4 (10) | Jul 28, 1932 | 22 years, 138 days | Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, U.S. | |
52 | Loss | 37–12–2 (1) | Ernie Schaaf | PTS | 10 | Jun 7, 1932 | 22 years, 87 days | Dreamland Park, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
51 | Win | 37–11–2 (1) | Johnny Freeman | KO | 6 (10) | May 2, 1932 | 22 years, 51 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
50 | Win | 36–11–2 (1) | Arthur De Kuh | TKO | 4 (10), 2:04 | Apr 11, 1932 | 22 years, 30 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
49 | Win | 35–11–2 (1) | Ted Sandwina | PTS | 10 | Mar 14, 1932 | 22 years, 2 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
48 | Loss | 34–11–2 (1) | Natie Brown | PTS | 10 | Feb 8, 1932 | 21 years, 333 days | Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
47 | Win | 34–10–2 (1) | George Panka | KO | 1 (10), 0:14 | Nov 23, 1931 | 21 years, 256 days | Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
46 | Win | 33–10–2 (1) | Leonard Dixon | KO | 3 (10) | Nov 9, 1931 | 21 years, 242 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
45 | Win | 32–10–2 (1) | Mike Sankowitz | TKO | 3 (10) | Oct 12, 1931 | 21 years, 214 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
44 | Win | 31–10–2 (1) | Abie Bain | TKO | 4 (10) | Sep 30, 1931 | 21 years, 202 days | Dreamland Park, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
43 | Loss | 30–10–2 (1) | Johnny Risko | PTS | 8 | Jul 3, 1931 | 21 years, 113 days | Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
42 | Loss | 30–9–2 (1) | Harold Mays | PTS | 10 | Jun 19, 1931 | 21 years, 99 days | Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, U.S. | |
41 | Win | 30–8–2 (1) | Meyer K.O. Christner | KO | 8 (10) | Jun 10, 1931 | 21 years, 90 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
40 | Loss | 29–8–2 (1) | Jack Dorval | PTS | 10 | May 22, 1931 | 21 years, 71 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
39 | Loss | 29–7–2 (1) | Paul Cavalier | PTS | 10 | May 15, 1931 | 21 years, 64 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
38 | Win | 29–6–2 (1) | Paul Thurman | PTS | 3 | May 1, 1931 | 21 years, 50 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | Third of three fights on this day |
37 | Win | 28–6–2 (1) | Frankie Kitts | KO | 1 (3) | May 1, 1931 | 21 years, 50 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | Second of three fights on this day |
36 | Win | 27–6–2 (1) | Joe Brian | KO | 1 (3) | May 1, 1931 | 21 years, 50 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | First of three fights on this day |
35 | Win | 26–6–2 (1) | Leo Dillon | KO | 1 (10) | Apr 8, 1931 | 21 years, 27 days | Armory, Hagerstown, Maryland, U.S. | |
34 | Win | 25–6–2 (1) | Frankie Wine | TKO | 1 (6) | Jan 23, 1931 | 20 years, 317 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
33 | Win | 24–6–2 (1) | Phil Mercurio | KO | 2 (6), 1:51 | Jan 2, 1931 | 20 years, 296 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
32 | Win | 23–6–2 (1) | Armando De Carolis | KO | 8 (10) | Dec 15, 1930 | 20 years, 278 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
31 | Win | 22–6–2 (1) | Ted Sandwina | KO | 2 (10), 0:50 | Nov 10, 1930 | 20 years, 243 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
30 | Win | 21–6–2 (1) | George LaRocco | TKO | 2 (10) | Oct 17, 1930 | 20 years, 219 days | Llewellyn Hall, Orange, New Jersey, U.S. | |
29 | Win | 20–6–2 (1) | Jack Marsling | KO | 1 (10) | Sep 19, 1930 | 20 years, 191 days | Llewellyn Hall, Orange, New Jersey, U.S. | |
28 | Win | 19–6–2 (1) | Frank Montagna | KO | 3 (10) | Sep 10, 1930 | 20 years, 182 days | Dreamland Park, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
27 | Win | 18–6–2 (1) | Pietro Corri | KO | 6 (10) | Jul 21, 1930 | 20 years, 131 days | Velodrome, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
26 | Win | 17–6–2 (1) | Will Matthews | TKO | 1 (10) | Jun 25, 1930 | 20 years, 105 days | Dreamland Park, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
25 | Win | 16–6–2 (1) | Ted Sandwina | PTS | 10 | Jun 2, 1930 | 20 years, 82 days | Velodrome, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
24 | Loss | 15–6–2 (1) | Bud Gorman | PTS | 10 | Apr 21, 1930 | 20 years, 40 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
23 | Win | 15–5–2 (1) | Mike Sullivan | KO | 2 (10) | Apr 7, 1930 | 20 years, 26 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
22 | Win | 14–5–2 (1) | Tom Kirby | PTS | 10 | Mar 10, 1930 | 19 years, 363 days | Buckingham Hall, Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S. | |
21 | Loss | 13–5–2 (1) | Al Friedman | PTS | 10 | Feb 3, 1930 | 19 years, 328 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
20 | NC | 13–4–2 (1) | Tom Kirby | NC | 7 (10) | Jan 23, 1930 | 19 years, 317 days | Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. | |
19 | Loss | 13–4–2 | Neil Clisby | TKO | 7 (8) | Dec 20, 1929 | 19 years, 283 days | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
18 | Win | 13–3–2 | Cuban Bobby Brown | PTS | 10 | Oct 14, 1929 | 19 years, 216 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
17 | Win | 12–3–2 | Al Friedman | PTS | 10 | Aug 13, 1929 | 19 years, 154 days | Velodrome, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
16 | Loss | 11–3–2 | Harold Mays | PTS | 10 | Jul 26, 1929 | 19 years, 136 days | Lakewood Arena, Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S. | |
15 | Win | 11–2–2 | George Hoffman | PTS | 10 | Jun 20, 1929 | 19 years, 100 days | Lakewood Arena, Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S. | |
14 | Win | 10–2–2 | Murray Gitlitz | PTS | 10 | May 20, 1929 | 19 years, 69 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
13 | Draw | 9–2–2 | Ad Stone | PTS | 8 | May 10, 1929 | 19 years, 59 days | Llewellyn Boxing Club, Orange, New Jersey, U.S. | |
12 | Win | 9–2–1 | George Neron | PTS | 8 | Apr 26, 1929 | 19 years, 45 days | Llewellyn Boxing Club, Orange, New Jersey, U.S. | |
11 | Win | 8–2–1 | Pietro Corri | PTS | 8 | Apr 12, 1929 | 19 years, 31 days | Llewellyn Boxing Club, Orange, New Jersey, U.S. | |
10 | Win | 7–2–1 | Jack Shaw | PTS | 8 | Mar 7, 1929 | 18 years, 360 days | Llewellyn Boxing Club, Orange, New Jersey, U.S. | |
9 | Draw | 6–2–1 | George Hoffman | PTS | 8 | Feb 22, 1929 | 18 years, 347 days | Llewellyn Boxing Club, Orange, New Jersey, U.S. | |
8 | Win | 6–2 | Jack Smith | PTS | 6 | Nov 21, 1928 | 18 years, 254 days | Armory, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
7 | Win | 5–2 | Nick Fadil | TKO | 1 (6), 2:46 | Nov 5, 1928 | 18 years, 238 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
6 | Loss | 4–2 | James Jay Lawless | DQ | 5 (10) | Aug 27, 1928 | 18 years, 168 days | McGuigan's Arena, Harrison, New Jersey, U.S. | Galento was Disqualified for butting |
5 | Win | 4–1 | Rosaire Boutot | PTS | 8 | Jul 13, 1928 | 18 years, 123 days | Boardwalk Arena, Long Branch, New Jersey, U.S. | |
4 | Win | 3–1 | Joe Steiney | KO | 4 (6) | Jun 11, 1928 | 18 years, 91 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
3 | Loss | 2–1 | Johnny Alberts | PTS | 8 | May 7, 1928 | 18 years, 56 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
2 | Win | 2–0 | Andy Schimala | KO | 4 (8) | Apr 16, 1928 | 18 years, 35 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
1 | Win | 1–0 | Floyd Shimalla | KO | 3 (6) | Mar 12, 1928 | 18 years, 0 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
Retirement
Galento retired from boxing in 1943, and applied his talents to the world of professional wrestling. He also turned to acting, and was given roles in Wind Across The Everglades (1958), The Best Things in Life Are Free (1956), Guys and Dolls (1955) and On the Waterfront (1954). He retained a kind of "folk hero" status, and was profiled several times, once by W.C. Heinz in TRUE Magazine (AUGUST, 1960; VOL. 41, NO. 279).[7]
Galento was interred in St. Johns Catholic Cemetery in Orange, New Jersey.[8]
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1954 | On the Waterfront | Truck | |
1955 | Guys and Dolls | Spectator at Hot Box Club | Uncredited |
1956 | The Best Things in Life Are Free | Fingers | |
1958 | Wind Across The Everglades | Beef | (final film role) |
References
- "Tony Galento, Brawling Heavyweight, Dies". The New York Times. United Press International. July 23, 1979.
- McLemore, Henry (March 14, 1939). "Beer Barrel Buddha". LOOK. 3 (6).
- Miller, Margery (1945). Joe Louis: American (pre-ISBN First ed.). New York, NY: Current Books, Inc./A.A. Wyn. p. 115.
- Fried, Ronald K. (1991). Corner Men (First Edition, 1st Printing ed.). New York, NY: Four Walls Eight Windows. pp. 210–211. ISBN 0-941423-48-4.
- Dunphy, Don (1988). Don Dunphy At Ringside. New York: Henry Holt And Company. pp. 289 (includes Index). ISBN 0-8050-0530-7.
- Donovan, Joseph (1939). Galento the Great. New York: George Winn. pp. 118 (plus ring record).
- Heinz, W.C. (August 1960). "The Curious Career of the Primeval Pugilist". TRUE. 41 (279).
- Tony "Two-Ton" Galento, Find A Grave. Accessed August 23, 2007.
Bibliography
- Monninger, Joseph (2007). Two Ton: One Night, One Fight. ISBN 978-1-58642-115-1.
- Donovan, Joseph G. (1939). Galento the Great. New York: George Winn.
External links
- Boxing record for Tony Galento from BoxRec (registration required)
- Biography
- Article on Galento's unique style
- Tony Galento at IMDb