CARNERA, PRIMO

born Oct. 26, 1906, Sequals, Udine, Italy died June 29, 1967, Sequals Italian heavyweight-boxing champion of the world from June 29, 1933, when he knocked out Jack Sharkey in six rounds in New York City, until June 14, 1934, when he was knocked out by Max Baer in 11 rounds, also in New York City. Carnera began his professional boxing career in Paris in 1928 and went to the United States in 1930, compiling an impressive total of knockout victories, which many observers believed were prearranged. After two successive knockouts by Leroy Haynes in 1936, he returned to Europe practically penniless, having seen little of the purses he won in the United States. From 1928 to 1945 he had 99 bouts, winning 86, 66 by knockouts. Weighing about 260 pounds (117 kg), he was the heaviest of all world champions; his height was 6 feet 5.75 inches (197.5 cm). In World War II he was a member of the Italian Sniper Brigade, had a losing fight in 1945, and returned to the United States as a wrestler. He won a small fortune, became a U.S. citizen, and, after retiring from wrestling, he refereed and had a small business. He appeared in several Hollywood films from 1933 to 1960.