Primo Carnera vs. Paulino Uzcudon ~ 'Forgetten Heavyweight Championship'

[Bill Paxtom]

October 22, 1933

Piazza di Sienna ~ Lazio. Italy

~ World Heavyweight Championship ~

* Primo Carnera - 75-6-0 {63 KO's} ~ 6' 5 1/2" ~ 265 1/4 lbs. ~ {Age; 27 years, 0 months}
vs.
* Paulino Uzcudon - 51-14-2 {35 KO's} ~ 5' 10" ~ 202 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 34 years, 5 months}

Primo Carnera had won the Heavyweight Championship only 4 months earlier {June 29, 1933},
and the Italian said he wanted to be a 'fighting' Champion, and not sit around with the Belt around
his waist for a year.

Paulino Uzcudon was a 'tough' Spanish growler who was the European Heavyweight Champion.
In 1933 > Paulino had won '6-Straight', and the 10-Year Professional was a legitimate Challenger.

[Bill Paxtom]

Nobody gave the Spaniard much of a chance to win.

The muscular 'wood-chopper' from the Basque country was strong, but was not a quality
boxer.

Paulino's strength was 'his strength' and durability. In a 10-Year career and in '67-Bouts',
the veteran had never been floored.

Ring Magazine

The Spaniard is a 'rugged challenger', but will have little chance against the 'mammoth-sized' Italian.

Uzcudon's best bet, is to stay on the defensive against the Champion over the first 10-Rounds. Then to
put in an effort to wear Carnera down over the next few Rounds. Then to put forth an offensive-charge over
the last 2-Rounds and try to take him out.

Uzcudon will not win a Decision here, as Carnera is just too big and has a strong left-hand to pile
up the Points. The Champion also has the better hand-speed, inside punching-skills and strength
advantage.

The Spaniard's handlers have said that their fighter is prepared to give away the first 13-Rounds to
the Champion, for a chance to get in a few good swings over the last 2-Rounds.

[Master]

Primo was forgotten because he was not very good.

[Bill Paxtom]

Primo was forgotten because he was not very good.

That's not what the Sporting Boys were saying back in 1933 and 1934.

Many called Primo ....... 'a phenomenen' and a marvel in the World of Mankind.

[Master]

Primo was forgotten because he was not very good.

That's not what the Sporting Boys were saying back in 1933 and 1934.

many called Primo ....... 'a phenomenen'

They really meant freak and run by the mob.

[Bill Paxtom]

Primo was forgotten because he was not very good.

That's not what the Sporting Boys were saying back in 1933 and 1934.

many called Primo ....... 'a phenomenen'

They really meant freak and run by the mob.

If Primo stunk so much.

Why was he drawing crowds of 25,000 for his August {11th thru 24th} 1933 'exhibition tour' in the Northeast.

In the following towns, in the order of >
* Syracuse, New York
* Bangor, Maine
* Portland, Maine
* Erie, Pennsylvania
* Troy, New York
* Wilkes-Barrie, Pennsylvania
* Johnstown, Pennsylvania
* Youngstown, Ohio
* Buffalo, New York

Then out to California for a 2-Round Boxing Exhibition with Max Baer, where Primo was to receive $25,000.

Primo 'pulled in' $85,000 for his 14-Day tour in August 1933.

[Master]

Primo ended up broke and in wrestling.

[Bill Paxtom]

Primo ended up broke and in wrestling.

70,000 Italians attended the Primo Carnera vs. Paulino Uzcudon 'Championship Bout'

The arena was a temporarily built structure called the 'Piazza de Sienna' in Lazio, Rome - Italy.

Total Take.......... 1,200,000 'Lire' .......... $90,000 U.S. Dollars

The Great 'Il Duce' {Benito Mussolini} was there with 30,000 Facist's.

Also as a guest {James Roosevelt} the son of President - Franklin. D. Roosevelt was there.

The Champion - Primo Carnera received a Fight Purse of ............ $45,000
The Challenger - Paulino Uzcdon received a Fight Purse of .......... $10,000

Primo won the first 13-Rounds with ease, as he continually battered the over-matched
Spaniard with left-hands and 'clubbing' right-hands.

Primo 'lumbered' forward with little style, as he backed Paulino to the Ropes, and
pummeled him with a steady barrage.

The Italians turned on Primo at the end of the 13th Round, and boo'ed him with
a thundering-roar, as he was unable to floor a near defenseless and battered Challenger.



~ After Bout Comments ~

Primo Carnera >
"There was no need to hurt Paulino. He was finished, and I didn't want to hurt him. I
just hit him when I needed to."

"The spectators wanted blood. That is not sportsmanship when you have an opponent
in despair."

[Bill Paxtom]

The Italian Press reported,

That 'Il Duce' Benito Mussolini was very upset that Primo was unable to 'knock out'
the over-matched Spaniard - Paulino Uzcudon.

Benito Mussolini >
"Primo will be better in his next Title Defense. I will make sure of it. The Italian people
want to see their Champion 'destroy' his opponents, not just win."

"I'm happy for the win, but disappointed in the outcome. The Italian people were booing
Primo near the end of the bout. That makes me look bad in front our European neighbors."