Biography

He turned to boxing in his early youth and initially had an amateur career. Carnera had his first professional fight in September 1928: He defeated Leon Sebilo by knockout. in the second round. Carnera also won the following five fights, only to lose to Franz Diener in Leipzig due to a disqualification. Further victories followed, including against Young Stribling. In the 1930s, Carnera took part in several fights in the USA. He won his first 17 encounters with American boxing by knockout victory. In February 1933, Carnera took on Ernie Schaaf in New York, whom he knocked out in the 13th round. defeated. His opponent died two days later as a result of his battle injuries.

In June 1933, Carnera won against Jack Sharkey in New York, becoming the world heavyweight boxing champion. The new world champion was able to successfully defend his title twice, against Paulino Uzcudun and Tommy Loughran, and was exploited as an Italian national hero by Benito Mussolini's fascist regime. Carnera then lost the world title in June 1934 to Max Baer, who knocked him out in the 11th round. defeated. A year later he also suffered a defeat against the future boxing world champion Joe Louis. Because of a kidney removal in 1938, the diabetic was forced to stay away from boxing for several years.

During this time he was able to celebrate some success as a boxing actor in Hollywood. Carnera attempted a comeback in professional boxing in 1945, which initially started well with two victories. However, after three consecutive defeats against Luigi Mussina, he finally retired from active boxing. The former boxer then began a second sports career as a wrestler in 1946, which he continued successfully into the 1960s. In 1947, Budd Schulberg wrote the novel "The Harder They Fall", about a boxer whose fights were arranged, and which was made into a Hollywood film in 1956.

Since Carnera had always been said to have contacts with the underworld, he was immediately identified with the leading role in "The Harder They Fall". The former boxer sued the film company that made the novel, but without success. Carnera married Giuseppina Kovacic in 1953, with whom he obtained American citizenship, settled in Los Angeles and had two children.