Born 1906 Sequals, Italy
Died 1967, Sequals, Italy

 

He was a phenomenon, the most colossal boxer ever to win the world heavyweight championship. They called him the “Man Mountain, “The Ambling Alp and the Gorgonzola Tower”. They also called him a fraud for the way he was promoted to championship status by a series of “fixed bouts and media ballyhoo”. Boxing sometimes dubbed the “red light district” of pro sports ruthlessly exploited this lovable oaf. 

 

For those of us who want to understand Primo Carnera, the movies The Harder They Fall and Requiem for A Heavyweight are essential. That is, both mobsters and Italian political fascists ruthlessly exploited this simple giant peasant, robbing him of both millions as well as his dignity. We can never fully know the story of this prizefighter, lover, popular idol, tragic victim, and finally international star of the wrestling ring.

In The Harder They Fall, Humphrey Bogart an aging newspaperman tries to protect Primo from the mean-spirited mobster, played by Rod Steiger. In the final scene, Bogart gives the fighter (An Argentine named Toro Moreno) his own personal funds so that the beaten scarred boxer can leave the ring with more than a few pennies. In Requiem for a Heavyweight, Mickey Rooney tries to protect the dignity of the fighter, named “Mountain” from the ruthless manager played by Jackie Gleason. In the final scene, “Primo” his face painted like an American Indian starts whooping as he enters the wrestling ring. Both movies deliver a comprehensive message about the tragic outcome of many professional fighters: ripped off, broken down and punch-drunk. The films convey many poignant and compelling scenes.

 

Primo Carnera ruled as heavyweight boxing champion from June 29,1933, when he “knocked out” Jack Sharkey in six rounds in New York City, until June 14, 1934 when he was viciously knocked out by Max Baer in 11 rounds. Weighing about 270 pounds, at a height of about six and half feet, Carnera appeared impressive. Nevertheless, there is substantial evidence to indicate that most of his fights were fixed by the organized crime figures that controlled boxing. His career undermines the argument that only in recent years has boxing lost legitimacy. Sadly, the failure of almost all boxers to retain any meaningful savings after the end of their brutal careers castes further aspersions on the sport.

 

In Budd Schulberg’s novel, The Harder They Fall, Schulberg carefully examines the extensive role of gangsters in boxing. He portrayed accurately the dignity of Carnera who innocently accepted the domination of sinister forces. That is, Carnera might not have known his fights were bogus. His valiant effort to retain the championship while being mercilessly pummeled by Max Baer earns our admiration.

 

In Requiem for a Heavyweight, Carnera (Mountain Man) confesses to a social worker that he has no skills. He proudly looks at his broken hands and proclaims “I was once ranked number 10 in the world”! 

 

Despite his questionable record, Carnera remained a hero in his native Italy. I can vividly recall reading in the newspapers his impending last plane trip back to Italy. He wanted desperately to return to his native land to die in dignity in a country that extolled his championship status.

In the final scene of The Harder They Fall, Humphrey Bogart types a few lines stating that professional boxing needs a Federal commissioner or overseer to look out for the fighters and clean up the sport. Did I hear somebody recommending Dick Grasso?