When Abe Simon fought Joe Louis in 1942, Abe was the biggest heavyweight* fighting. That wasn't the case when Abe began his career in 1935. Primo Carnera was an Italian strongman on the European circus circuit. He fought his first fight in Paris in 1928. It is pretty well known that he was brought to N.Y.C. by mobsters who arranged and managed his fights. The 6'6" giant upset Jack Sharkey in 1933, and held the title for a year until Max Baer had a go at him.
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In 1935 Carnera fought the up and coming Joe Louis, who pulverized him into a bloody mess. Primo would return to Europe. Shown in the ring with him in 1933 is Jean Harlow, promoting her movie classic Bombshell.
* 6'7" Buddy Baer, brother of Max, had retired after a beating from Louis earlier in 1942.
reprinted from February 2010
Somewhere in our family photo archive [otherwise known as 'da box of pitchers (sic)] is a photo of Primo with my great uncle Sammy Angott, the Washington, PA native who was lightweight champion in the early 40s. Quite a height difference that was!
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