Jack Sharkey vs. Primo Carnera 'II' ~ 'Fraud or Lucky Punch'

[Bill Paxtom]

Primo Carnera

They set up his training camp in Pompton lakes, New Jersey.

When Primo 'first' fought Jack Sharkey {October 12, 1933} 20-Months earlier,
Primo {Age; 25} was truly inexperienced.

He was strong, but was 'far' from a good fighter.

Since that time, Primo had gone 27-2-0 with {21 KO's} over the past 20-Months.

'The Word' by the Boxing Pundits >

Primo Carnera is a much better fighter now. His handlers have made him 50% better,
and now he has a left-hand.

While he's really not a heavy-puncher, he can do damage with his mauling, and clubbing.
He still pushes out his punches like a 'pawing' Bear, but he's more of a boxer now, unlike
before where he looked like a ponderous Circus Strongman with boxing gloves on.

The odds had opened up at {7-5} for the Champion, But by fight time, they had swung in favor
of Primo by {6-5}.

[Bill Paxtom]

Harry McLemore of 'UPI'

Primo Carnera is still a long way from a good fighter. But now, he's much better than he
was 2-Years ago, when Jack Sharkey wiped the floor with him.

In that 15-Round bout {October 12, 1931} Sharkey won 12 of the 15 Round's and had Carnera
'knocked out' in Round 4, but an inept Referee saved Carnera from an embarrassing Knockout.

But don't discount the big Italian now, as his handlers have improved Carnera's left-hand,
and he now has a 'secret punch'. He also 'leans back' to avoid punches now, when previously he
just walked win with his big 'warehouse sized' chin hanging there to be hit.

What the 6' 5" and 260 lb. bulk does now, is use his left-hand as a sweeping left-hook to push
his opponent to the left, and then Carnera comes in with a right uppercut.

While I still think the Champion {Jack Sharkey} is a much better boxer, in this fight I'm picking
the Challenger to win by a Knockout.

The Reason >
Jack Sharkey has lost {something} in his skills, and he is vulnerable now. Carnera has 20-Months
of added-experience since their last bout, and with '29-Bouts' over that span he has stayed active.

I look for a 'Ham-Sized' fist to take the Champion out by the 9th Round.

[Bill Paxtom]

Harry McLemore of 'UPI'

Primo Carnera is still a long way from a good fighter. But now, he's much better than he
was 2-Years ago, when Jack Sharkey wiped the floor with him.

In that 15-Round bout {October 12, 1931} Sharkey won 12 of the 15 Round's and had Carnera
'knocked out' in Round 4, but an inept Referee saved Carnera from an embarrassing Knockout.

But don't discount the big Italian now, as his handlers have improved Carnera's left-hand,
and he now has a 'secret punch'. He also 'leans back' to avoid punches now, when previously he
just walked win with his big 'warehouse sized' chin hanging there to be hit.

What the 6' 5" and 260 lb. bulk does now, is use his left-hand as a sweeping left-hook to push
his opponent to the left, and then Carnera comes in with a right uppercut.

While I still think the Champion {Jack Sharkey} is a much better boxer, in this fight I'm picking
the Challenger to win by a Knockout.

The Reason >
Jack Sharkey has lost {something} in his skills, and he is vulnerable now. Carnera has 20-Months
of added-experience since their last bout, and with '29-Bouts' over that span he has stayed active.

I look for a 'Ham-Sized' fist to take the Champion out by the 9th Round.

Primo Carnera sparring at Pompton Lakes, New Jersey >

[Bill Paxtom]

Primo Carnera

1933 Sparring-Partners

* Art Huttick ~ 5' 11' ~ 182 lbs. ~ Age; 22 1/2
Record ..... 22-5-0 {9 KO's}

* Harold Mays ~ 5' 11' ~ 195 lbs. ~ Age; 27
Record ...... 30-11-0 {11 KO's}

* Lee Kennedy ~ 5' 10 1/2" ~ 182 lbs. ~ Age; 23
Record ....... 44-19-1 {23 KO's}

* Jerry Pavelic ~ 6' 1" ~ 200 lbs. ~ Age; 29
Amateur Record ....... 56-7-0 {25 KO's} > {1928 New York Golden Gloves Champion}

General Observations During Sparring Sessions

When Primo was doing the leading, he was a capable fighter with 'average' boxing skills. He now possessed
a better-than-average left-jab. It was surprisingly quick, where before it was 'ponderous'.

His straight right-hand was still 'lacking-in-power', and it was more of a push. But, Primo now had a 'new found'
punch. It was the right-uppercut, which the Carnera Camp called 'the secret punch'.

But, Primo still looked a bit confused when his sparring-partners came in with a 'fast' offensive-burst. He tried to
maul them with his massive-arms, instead of covering-up or bending.

In Ring-Skills {footwork}, for a 6' 6" and 260 lb. 'big-footed lug', the Italian moved fairly well. For defense,
Primo now leaned back, as opposed to before when he just stepped forward and came in with countering-clubs
for punching.

Primo Carnera >
"When I fought Jack Sharkey the '1st-Time', I was too inexperienced. I didn't know how to step back or
roll-with-punches. I just came forward and tried to punch back when he was punching at me."

"He {Jack Sharkey} was the only fighter to ever put me down. I didn't know how to react to that, and I
was confused. This time it will be a different story. I will be putting him down, and for the 'count'. I'm a
'better boxer' now, not just a walk-in fighter."

[Bill Paxtom]

Jack Sharkey

1933 Sparring-Partners

* Hans Birkie ~ 6' 1" ~ 186 lbs. ~ Age; 24 1/2
Record ........ 28-18-3 {11 KO's}

* Vic Bernard ~ 5' 11" ~ 182 lbs. ~ Age; 22
Record ...... 7-3-0 {6 KO's}

* Bob Moody ~ 6' 1" ~ 204 lbs. ~ Age; 24
Record ..... 14-5-0 {8 KO's}

* Art Stillman ~ 6' 1' ~ 177 lbs. ~ Age; 26
Record ..... 37-8-3 {28 KO's}

The Champion opened up his Training Camp on May 2, 1933 in Orangeburg, New York
at 'Gus Wilson's Camp'.

Despite the rumors {of laziness} after a 1-Year lay-off, Chief Trainer - Tony Palosalla said that
he would have the Champion in 'prime condition'.

Tony Palosalla >
"With age comes added weight and strength. I want Jack coming in between 200 and 205 lbs.
He will box this 'Italian Bear' early, and give him a steady assortment of left-jabs to the face,
and left-hooks to the middle. We'll soften him, and then nail him."

Jack Sharkey >
"There will be little problem with Primo after 4-Rounds. I'll box him again, and set him up
for a Knockout this time. I won't play easy this time, and let him go the full 15-Rounds like
last time. I was too easy on him."

"I'll take him out in the 10th Round."

[Bill Paxtom]

Betting Odds

The Champion - Jack Sharkey opened up as a {2-1} Favorite in early May 1933.

But slowly the Odds 'dropped' to {7-5} as there was a lean towards the Italian Challenger,
as he looked much improved in Training Camp.

A few days before Fight Night, the Odds were near 'Even'.

Some bookies were laying {6-5} for Primo Carnera, as heavy money was coming in
from Italy and Europe.

This would be the 'first time' that a Challenger was 'favored' over a Heavyweight Champion.

On June 29, 1933 > The New York Times had the Champion - Jack Sharkey as a {6-5} Betting-Favorite.

[Bill Paxtom]

Bold Predictions

Tommy Burns {Former Heavyweight Champion}

Primo Carnera is the most amazing fighter that I have ever seen. His muscles have muscles.
He will be more than a formidable Challenger for the Champion.

I just can't see how Sharkey can win. I'm going with Carnera by Decision.

But, if he doesn't win this time, he will win it next time out for sure.
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Jack Primo 'The Brooklyn Daily Eagle'

I just can't see how Primo can lose. He still is a bit clumsy, but he's too big and too strong
for the Champion.

Jack Sharkey has the look of a guy who has lost the desire to fight. I'm picking Primo to
end it late, sometime after the 12th Round. I'm picking the 13th Round.
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Ed Hughes 'The Brooklyn Daily Eagle'

Jack Sharkey still has the experience. It will be a tougher bout this time than last time. But
Sharkey still has something left in those 'venomous fists'.

The Champion by a 15-Round Decision.
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Benny Leonard {Former Lightweight Champion}

Sharkey by Decision. Carnera is at least 1-Year away. He needs another year of fighting decent
guys, before he steps up in class.