Tony Galento - Other Fights

Other Fights

Galento's other two famous fights were with former champion Max Baer, and contender Lou Nova. The Nova fight is reputed to be one of the dirtiest and bloodiest fights ever fought. Nova was knocked down five times. Both fighters, kneed, gouged, hit below the belt, and on at least two knockdowns, Galento "fell" with his 230 lb (104 kg) on Nova, knees first. Galento finally knocked Nova out in the 14th round.

Galento's fight with Max Baer ended when the referee stopped the bout in the eighth round. On the day of the Baer fight, Galento decided to first stop off at his bar. There he had a big bowl of spaghetti, with meat balls, washed down with half a case of beer. After his meal, Galento became embroiled in an argument with his brother. The dispute ended when his brother threw his beer glass in Galento's face, severely cutting his lip. Galento was forced to get the cut stitched up, hours before the fight. Baer re-opened the cut in the first round, forcing Galento to swallow blood for the remainder of the fight. After the fight, Galento blamed his inability to "hook him around the head and butt him" for the loss. His record was 80-26-5 with 57 knockouts.

Less known, possibly with good reason, is Galento's battle with Ernie Schaaf, in 1932 (Newark). Schaaf was at the time ranked No.3 by RING Magazine, and the fight was considered a stepping stone to a title fight with then-champion Jack Sharkey. The fight seemed jinxed from the first, however, and was rained out three times before finally taking place. The fight went the scheduled 10-round distance, but was a seesaw affair, and rife with brutal infighting containing many illegal blows. Two-Ton Tony repeatedly struck Schaaf behind the neck (rabbit punch) with right hand chops. Schaaf, who recovered quickly, was stronger at the end and won the decision, but did not leave his dressing table for long hours, while Galento merely collected his purse and went home. Schaaf's career spiraled down in the months following, culminating in a harrowing beating from Max Baer, followed by his death from light blows early in his final fight, vs. Primo Carnera. Fight lore has long held Max Baer's devastating right hand responsible for the ring death of Ernie Schaaf, but in the hardline culture of the 1930's, Newark sportswriters were quick to claim Tony Galento and the Above battle-royal, as having done the telling damage.