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Joey Giardello

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Joey Giardello
Statue of Giardello in East Passyunk Crossing, Philadelphia
Born
Carmine Orlando Tilelli

(1930-07-16)July 16, 1930
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedSeptember 4, 2008(2008-09-04) (aged 78)
Cherry Hill, New Jersey, U.S.
Statistics
Weight(s)Middleweight
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Reach70 in (178 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record[1]
Total fights133
Wins97
Wins by KO31
Losses26
Draws8

Carmine Orlando Tilelli (July 16, 1930 – September 4, 2008) was an American boxer who was the world middleweight champion from 1963 to 1965.[2] He adopted the name Joey Giardello (the name of a cousin's friend) in order to join the U.S. Army while underage, and continued to use the pseudonym throughout his boxing career.[3]

Early life

[edit]

Giardello was born in Brooklyn, but lived most of his life in the Lower Moyamensing area of South Philadelphia.[4] He joined the U.S. Army while underage towards the end of World War II, using a cousin's friend's name, and volunteered for airborne duty.[3] During his military time, he took part in Army boxing matches, and after his discharge in 1948, began boxing professionally.[3] He continued to use the name he had enlisted under, Joey Giardello, in his boxing career.[3]

Professional career

[edit]

During his early career, he had a scuffle at a gas station which cost him $100,000 in prize fight money and five months in jail.[citation needed]

As a pro, he quickly racked up a 15–1–2 record in his first 18 fights while facing less-than-stellar opposition. His only loss was a decision to undefeated boxer Jimmy Morton. During this time, he fought just three men who had previously won a fight. It caught up with Giardello on January 16, 1950, when he was handed his second defeat by Joe DiMartino, a journeyman with a 6–10 record.

After that embarrassment, he began to face better opposition and by 1951, was beating some of the better middleweight boxers on the Philadelphia scene. On June 4, 1954, Los Angeles-based heavyweight boxer Clarence Henry, who was managed by Mafiosi Frank "Blinky" Palermo, was arrested in New York City for attempting to bribe Oakland middleweight Bobby Jones to throw his June 11 Madison Square Garden match with Giardello. Henry allegedly offered $15,000 to Jones to throw the fight. Once the third-ranked heavyweight contender, Henry was released after posting $2,000 bail and subsequently retired from the ring. Giardello beat Jones in a close decision.[5]

Giardello's fight vs. Billy Graham was the next significant bout. The decision first was awarded to Giardello, then later reversed to a decision in favor of Graham, then reversed again, some time later as a result of litigation, in favor of Giardello. This fight is known in boxing lore as "The reversed reversal."

In 1960, Giardello received his first championship opportunity. On April 20, he faced Gene Fullmer for the National Boxing Association version of the world middleweight title. He missed out on the title when he and Fullmer fought to a draw over 15 rounds.

Giardello lost four of his next six fights, but then came back strong with an 8–1–1 record in his next 10, all of which were over some of the biggest names in the division at that time. One of his wins, a 10-round decision over Henry Hank on January 30, 1962, was chosen as Ring Magazine's fight of the year. Then, on June 24, 1963, Giardello upset boxing legend Sugar Ray Robinson, and at the age of 33, was finally named as the No. 1 challenger for the world middleweight title.

On December 7, 1963, Giardello faced Dick Tiger in Atlantic City for the title and won a controversial decision in 15 rounds.[6]

He reigned as world champion for nearly two years, winning four fights during that time. On December 14, 1964, he fought "Hurricane" Rubin Carter in a title defense. In the first three rounds, Carter stalked Giardello and was the aggressor, as the champion looked to stay away from Carter's left hook. In the 4th round, Carter opened a cut over Giardello's left eye and staggered him with several head shots. By the 13th round, Carter had begun to tire, and Giardello began pounding Carter's head and body, which continued through the 15th and final round. According to Carter, he dominated Giardello the first ten rounds, but Giardello was awarded a unanimous decision, an event dramatized in the 1999 film The Hurricane.[7] Carter would later revise his claims, admitting he should have fought Giardello more aggressively.[8]

In a rematch with Dick Tiger on October 21, 1965, the Nigerian won a unanimous decision over Giardello in 15 rounds to regain the belt. Giardello was described as "back pedaling for most of the fight."[6] Giardello fought just four more times over the next two years before retiring.

Professional boxing record

[edit]
131 fights 97 wins 26 losses
By knockout 30 4
By decision 67 22
Draws 8
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
133 Win 98–26–8 (1) Jack Rodgers SD 10 Nov 6, 1967 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
132 Loss 97–26–8 (1) Jack Rodgers UD 10 May 22, 1967 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
131 Loss 97–25–8 (1) Nate Collins TKO 8 (10) Dec 5, 1966 Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, U.S.
130 Win 97–24–8 (1) Cash White UD 10 Sep 22, 1966 Municipal Stadium, Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
129 Loss 96–24–8 (1) Dick Tiger UD 15 Oct 21, 1965 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Lost WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
128 Win 96–23–8 (1) Gil Diaz PTS 10 Apr 23, 1965 Arena, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, U.S.
127 Win 95–23–8 (1) Rubin Carter UD 15 Dec 14, 1964 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
126 Win 94–23–8 (1) Juan Carlos Rivera UD 10 May 22, 1964 Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
125 Win 93–23–8 (1) Juan Carlos Rivera SD 10 Apr 17, 1964 Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
124 Win 92–23–8 (1) Dick Tiger PTS 15 Dec 7, 1963 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Won WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
123 Win 91–23–8 (1) Sugar Ray Robinson UD 10 Jun 24, 1963 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
122 Win 90–23–8 (1) Ernest Burford UD 10 Mar 25, 1963 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
121 Win 89–23–8 (1) Wilf Greaves SD 10 Feb 25, 1963 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
120 Win 88–23–8 (1) Johnny Morris SD 10 Nov 12, 1962 Civic Center, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
119 Loss 87–23–8 (1) George Benton UD 10 Aug 6, 1962 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
118 Win 87–22–8 (1) Jimmy Beecham UD 10 Jul 9, 1962 Midway Stadium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
117 Win 86–22–8 (1) Henry Hank MD 10 Jan 30, 1962 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
116 Draw 85–22–8 (1) Joe DeNucci MD 10 Dec 12, 1961 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
115 Win 85–22–7 (1) Jesse Smith UD 10 Nov 6, 1961 International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
114 Win 84–22–7 (1) Jesse Smith UD 10 Sep 12, 1961 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
113 Loss 83–22–7 (1) Henry Hank UD 10 Jul 10, 1961 Convention Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
112 Win 83–21–7 (1) Wilf Greaves TKO 9 (10) May 15, 1961 Alhambra A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
111 Loss 82–21–7 (1) Ralph Dupas UD 10 Mar 6, 1961 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
110 Loss 82–20–7 (1) Peter Müller PTS 10 Dec 1, 1960 Messesporthalle, Cologne, West Germany
109 Loss 82–19–7 (1) Terry Downes PTS 10 Oct 11, 1960 Empire Pool, London, England, U.K.
108 Win 82–18–7 (1) Clarence Hinnant TKO 3 (10) Sep 27, 1960 Shrine Auditorium, Billings, Montana, U.S.
107 Draw 81–18–7 (1) Gene Fullmer SD 15 Apr 20, 1960 Montana St. College Fieldhouse, Bozeman, Montana, U.S. For NBA middleweight title
106 Win 81–18–6 (1) Dick Tiger UD 10 Nov 4, 1959 Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
105 Loss 80–18–6 (1) Dick Tiger UD 10 Sep 30, 1959 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
104 Win 80–17–6 (1) Chico Vejar SD 10 Aug 11, 1959 Midway Stadium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
103 Win 79–17–6 (1) Del Flanagan KO 1 (10) Jun 16, 1959 Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
102 Win 78–17–6 (1) Holley Mims SD 10 May 6, 1959 Capitol Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.
101 Loss 77–17–6 (1) Ralph Tiger Jones SD 10 Jan 28, 1959 Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
100 Loss 77–16–6 (1) Ellsworth Webb TKO 7 (10) Nov 19, 1958 Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.
99 Loss 77–15–6 (1) Joey Giambra SD 10 Jun 30, 1958 Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.
98 Win 77–14–6 (1) Frank Szuzina MD 10 Jun 11, 1958 Shoreham Terrace, Washington, D.C., U.S.
97 Win 76–14–6 (1) Rory Calhoun UD 10 May 5, 1958 Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.
96 Win 75–14–6 (1) Franz Szuzina UD 10 Feb 12, 1958 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
95 Win 74–14–6 (1) Ralph Tiger Jones UD 10 Dec 27, 1957 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
94 Win 73–14–6 (1) Wilf Greaves UD 10 Nov 5, 1957 Denver Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
93 Win 72–14–6 (1) Bobby Lane TKO 7 (10) Sep 27, 1957 Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
92 Win 71–14–6 (1) Chico Vejar UD 10 Jul 17, 1957 Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
91 Win 70–14–6 (1) Joe Gray RTD 5 (10) Jul 2, 1957 Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
90 Win 69–14–6 (1) Rory Calhoun SD 10 May 17, 1957 Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
88 Win 68–14–6 Randy Sandy SD 10 Feb 6, 1957 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
87 Win 67–14–6 Charley Cotton UD 10 Dec 14, 1956 Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
86 Win 66–14–6 Charley Cotton UD 10 Nov 15, 1956 Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
85 Win 65–14–6 Bobby Boyd KO 5 (10) Sep 28, 1956 Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
84 Win 64–14–6 Georgia Kid TKO 9 (10) Aug 28, 1956 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
83 Win 63–14–6 Franz Szuzina UD 10 Jul 26, 1956 Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
82 Win 62–14–6 Tony Baldoni KO 1 (10) Jul 2, 1956 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
81 Loss 61–14–6 Charley Cotton SD 10 May 28, 1956 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
80 Loss 61–13–6 Charley Cotton UD 10 May 7, 1956 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
79 Win 61–12–6 Joe Shaw UD 10 Mar 27, 1956 Town Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
78 Win 60–12–6 Hurley Sanders PTS 10 Mar 10, 1956 Armory, Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
77 Win 59–12–6 Tim Jones TKO 10 (10) Feb 11, 1956 Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
76 Win 58–12–6 Peter Müller KO 2 (10) Mar 1, 1955 Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
75 Win 57–12–6 Andy Mayfield TKO 8 (10) Feb 15, 1955 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
74 Win 56–12–6 Al Andrews UD 10 Jan 25, 1955 Municipal Auditorium, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
73 Win 55–12–6 Ralph Tiger Jones UD 10 Sep 24, 1954 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
72 Win 54–12–6 Billy Kilgore UD 10 Jul 7, 1954 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
71 Win 53–12–6 Bobby Jones UD 10 Jun 11, 1954 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
70 Loss 52–12–6 Pierre Langlois UD 10 May 21, 1954 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
69 Win 52–11–6 Willie Troy TKO 7 (10) Mar 19, 1954 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
68 Win 51–11–6 Walter Cartier TKO 1 (10) Feb 5, 1954 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
67 Win 50–11–6 Garth Panter TKO 5 (10) Jan 8, 1954 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
66 Win 49–11–6 Tuzo Portuguez UD 10 Nov 23, 1953 Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
65 Win 48–11–6 Walter Cartier UD 10 Oct 26, 1953 Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
64 Loss 47–11–6 Johnny Saxton UD 10 Sep 29, 1953 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
63 Win 47–10–6 Ernie Durando UD 10 Jun 26, 1953 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
62 Win 46–10–6 Hurley Sanders PTS 10 May 30, 1953 Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
61 Win 45–10–6 Gil Turner UD 10 Apr 7, 1953 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
60 Loss 44–10–6 Billy Graham UD 12 Mar 6, 1953 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
59 Win 44–9–6 Harold Green UD 10 Feb 2, 1953 Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
58 Win 43–9–6 Billy Graham SD 10 Dec 19, 1952 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
57 Loss 42–9–6 Joey Giambra UD 10 Nov 11, 1952 Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
56 Win 42–8–6 Joey Giambra UD 10 Oct 13, 1952 Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
55 Win 41–8–6 Georgie Small UD 10 Sep 15, 1952 Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
54 Win 40–8–6 Billy Graham SD 10 Aug 4, 1952 Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
53 Win 39–8–6 Pierre Langlis UD 10 Jun 23, 1952 Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
52 Win 38–8–6 Roy Wouters PTS 6 Jun 5, 1952 Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
51 Draw 37–8–6 Joe Miceli PTS 10 May 5, 1952 Watres Armory, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
50 Draw 37–8–5 Sammy Guiliani PTS 8 Mar 28, 1952 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
49 Draw 37–8–4 Sal DiMartino PTS 10 Jan 9, 1952 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
48 Loss 37–8–3 Bobby Dykes SD 10 Dec 12, 1951 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
47 Loss 37–7–3 Rocky Castellani MD 10 Nov 13, 1951 Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
46 Win 37–6–3 Tony Amato KO 7 (8) Oct 8, 1951 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
45 Win 36–6–3 Tommy Bazzano PTS 6 Sep 14, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
44 Win 35–6–3 Johnny Noel UD 8 Aug 27, 1951 Toppi Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
43 Win 34–6–3 Otis Graham UD 8 Aug 13, 1951 Toppi Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
42 Loss 33–6–3 Gus Rubicini PTS 8 May 25, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
41 Win 33–5–3 Ernie Durando UD 10 Apr 30, 1951 Watres Armory, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
40 Win 32–5–3 Roy Wouters UD 8 Apr 12, 1951 Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
39 Win 31–5–3 Primos Cutler PTS 8 Mar 29, 1951 Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
38 Loss 30–5–3 Roy Wouters MD 8 Mar 15, 1951 Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
37 Win 30–4–3 Tony Wolfe KO 3 (8) Feb 24, 1951 Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
36 Win 29–4–3 Harold Sampson SD 8 Feb 22, 1951 Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
35 Win 28–4–3 Jan Henri UD 8 Jan 27, 1951 Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
34 Win 27–4–3 Freddie Lott PTS 8 Jan 6, 1951 Ridgewood Grove Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
33 Win 26–4–3 Leroy Coleman KO 5 (6) Dec 18, 1950 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
32 Draw 25–4–3 George Roberts PTS 6 Nov 27, 1950 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
31 Loss 25–4–2 Harold Green RTD 6 (10) Oct 26, 1950 Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
30 Win 25–3–2 Bruce Ubaldo PTS 8 Oct 16, 1950 South Main Street Armory, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S.
29 Win 24–3–2 Ted DiGiammo KO 1 (6) Sep 26, 1950 South Main Street Armory, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S.
28 Win 23–3–2 Don Berry KO 1 (6) Aug 25, 1950 Scranton Stadium, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
27 Loss 22–3–2 Carey Mace TKO 8 (8) May 17, 1950 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
26 Win 22–2–2 Hurley Sanders UD 8 May 5, 1950 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
25 Win 21–2–2 Tommy Varsos KO 1 (8) Apr 20, 1950 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
24 Win 20–2–2 Steve Sabatino KO 1 (8) Mar 27, 1950 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
23 Win 19–2–2 Armando Amanini PTS 8 Mar 23, 1950 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
22 Win 18–2–2 Johnny Bernardo MD 8 Feb 9, 1950 Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
21 Win 17–2–2 Johnny Bernardo PTS 8 Jan 26, 1950 Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
20 Loss 16–2–2 Joe DiMartino PTS 8 Jan 16, 1950 Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
19 Win 16–1–2 Johnny Fry PTS 6 Jan 5, 1950 Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
18 Win 15–1–2 Jim Dockery KO 2 (6) Dec 5, 1949 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
17 Win 14–1–2 Mitch Allen PTS 6 Nov 14, 1949 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
16 Win 13–1–2 Leroy Fleming KO 1 (6) Jul 13, 1949 Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., U.S.
15 Win 12–1–2 Ray Haas TKO 3 (6) Jun 20, 1949 Toppi Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
14 Win 11–1–2 Henry Vonsavage TKO 2 (6) June 6, 1949 Toppi Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
13 Win 10–1–2 Emerson Charles PTS 4 May 2, 1949 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
12 Win 9–1–2 Joe Aurillo PTS 6 Apr 28, 1949 Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
11 Win 8–1–2 Ray Morris PTS 4 Apr 25, 1949 South Main Street Armory, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S.
10 Win 7–1–2 Bill Mongomery KO 1 (6) Apr 7, 1949 Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
9 Win 6–1–2 Johnny Brown PTS 4 Mar 29, 1949 Little Palestra, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
8 Win 5–1–2 Don Ennis KO 4 (6) Mar 15, 1949 Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
7 Draw 4–1–2 Clyde Diggs PTS 6 Feb 24, 1949 Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
6 Loss 4–1–1 Jimmy Morton PTS 6 Jan 13, 1949 Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
5 Win 4–0–1 Willie Wigfall TKO 1 (4) Dec 30, 1948 Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
4 Draw 3–0–1 Bobby Thomas PTS 4 Dec 17, 1948 Kingston Armory, Kingston, Pennsylvania, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Johnny Madison KO 1 (4) Dec 16, 1948 Hamid's Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Jackie Cole KO 1 (4) Nov 16, 1948 Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Jimmy Larkin KO 1 (4) Oct 10, 1948 Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.

Life after boxing

[edit]

After retirement, he went into private business and went back to his real name. He was an insurance salesman and later joined the Misco International Chemical Company as their New York-Philadelphia-New Jersey distributor. He had married his wife Rosalie in 1950, with whom he had four children. He did work with the intellectually disabled, particularly for St. John of God School Community Services in Westville Grove, New Jersey, where his son, Carman, who had Down Syndrome, lived for ten years. He met the pope and was invited to President John F. Kennedy's Inauguration. With his celebrity and title, he participated in countless fundraising events for the intellectually disabled and contributed his time and talent to the Special Olympics, founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. At one event he taught the Special Olympians to jump rope.[citation needed]

He had a small role as a man from "The Syndicate" in the 1975 movie Moonrunners.

In 1996, he was invited to a Hungarian TV talk-show, (Friderikusz show) in which he made appearance in Budapest, Hungary, to celebrate Laszlo Papp's 70th birthday, that was a honorary invitation because of eastern communist block did not let Papp to match with Giardello in 1966, therefore Giardello could keep holding the 2 world titles, while Laszlo Papp was forced by the communist Hungarian government to bring his boxing career to an end.

He later filed a federal lawsuit against Universal Pictures, Beacon Communications and Aloof Films, for unspecified damages, for its "thoroughly false depiction" of his bout with Rubin Carter in Norman Jewison's 1999 film The Hurricane. The case was settled out-of-court and the DVD version of the film included scenes from the actual fight, as well as Jewison's statement that Giardello "no doubt" was a great fighter.[9][10]

He died on September 4, 2008, in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He was 78 years old.[9]

Honors

[edit]

Giardello was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2009, the 3rd boxer to be inducted after Joe Frazier (2004) and Tommy Loughran (2008). He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993. His career record was 101 wins, 25 losses and 7 draws. He was 5-3-1 against other boxers in the Hall of Fame, including a 2–2 mark against Tiger.[11]

A public statue honoring Giardello is situated in the East Passyunk Crossing section of South Philadelphia.[12]

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Joey Giardello.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Boxing record for Joey Giardello". BoxRec.
  2. ^ "The Lineal Middleweight Champions". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
  3. ^ a b c d Lipsyte, Robert (12 March 2000). "BACKTALK; Once Again, Giardello Is in the Eye of the Storm". The New York Times.
  4. ^ "The Famous 70". December 2017.
  5. ^ Rose, Murray (19 November 1954). "Martinez Offered $20,000 Bribe to Thrown Fiore Fight". Lewiston Daily Sun. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  6. ^ a b "Dick Tiger Reclaims Title From Joey Giardello". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 4 November 1965. p. 58. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  7. ^ Wice, Paul B. (2000). Rubin "Hurricane" Carter and the American Justice System. Rutgers University Press. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-8135-2864-9. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  8. ^ Bock, Hal (2000-02-27). "Giardello Sets 'Hurricane' Record Straight". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  9. ^ a b "Joey Giardello: Middleweight boxing champion". The Independent. 11 September 2008. Archived from the original on 2022-06-09. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  10. ^ Stephen Brunt. The Italian Stallions: Heroes of Boxing's Glory Days. Sport Classic Books. 2003 p 213. ISBN 1-894963-03-2
  11. ^ "Joey Giardello". Njboxinghof.org. Archived from the original on 2014-05-13. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
  12. ^ Joey Giardello Statue Project. Accessed 9 May 2011.
[edit]
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA middleweight champion
December 7, 1963 – October 21, 1965 		Succeeded by
Dick Tiger
WBC middleweight champion
December 7, 1963 – October 21, 1965
The Ring middleweight champion
December 7, 1963 – October 21, 1965
Undisputed middleweight champion
December 7, 1963 – October 21, 1965
Awards
Previous:
Joe Brown vs.
Dave Charnley II 		The Ring Fight of the Year
vs. Henry Hank II
1962 		Succeeded by
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