“Learn from the Fight” brought us back to the career of Gene “Cyclone” Fullmer who was still holding the NBA version of the world middleweight title. Having won a controversial unanimous decision over Ellsworth Webb in Fullmer’s home state, he now gave Joey Giardello his first title shot. “Joey Giardello” was born Carmine Orlando Tilelli on 16th July 1930 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. Towards the end of World War 2 he decided to join the US Army but was underage […]
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Spider in a Cyclone (diary entry)
11.01.2023 This year’s first “Learn from the Fight” session finished off the 1950s with Gene “The Cyclone” Fullmer’s first defence of the National Boxing Association version of the world middleweight championship. His opponent was Ellsworth Webb who had previously defeated on a unanimous decision a year ago. Ellsworth “Spider” Webb was born on 20th November 1931 Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. He was one of 11 children born to a hard working single mother. The unsupervised young Webb was quick to get […]
Two Irresistible Forces (diary entry)
“Learn from the Fight” turned its attention to 1959’s Fight of the Year: Carmen Basilio versus Gene Fullmer. Carmen Basilio versus Gene Fullmer NBA World Middleweight Championship 28.08.1959 The background for this event was very controversial. Carmen Basilio had lost his unanimous world middleweight title to the man he had won it from, Sugar Ray Robinson. The two matches had been a huge success with Basilio shocking everyone by defeating the great Robinson on a split decision and then losing […]
Fullmer Bounces Back & Basilio Stumbles in Style (diary entry)
07.07.2022 This morning’s “Learn from the Fight” covered highlights the middleweight contendership battle of Gene Fullmer and Rocky Castellani before we analysed Johnny Saxton’s attempt to rest the World Welterweight Championship from Carmen Basilio. No introductions to any of these fighters were necessary. We just picked up their stories from where we left off. Gene Fullmer versus Rocky Castellani 04.01.1956 After losing his contender position to Sugar Ray Robinson, Rocky Castellani fought one last match in 1955. He won a […]
Technical Slugging (diary entry)
22.06.2022 Gene Fullmer versus Eduardo Lausse 25.11.1955 Lawrence Gene “The Cyclone” or “Mormon Mauler” Fullmer was born on 21st July 1931 in West Jordan, Utah, USA. Fullmer came under the management of Merv Jenson, who was known for encouraging West Jordan youth to enter amateur boxing. Fullmer began boxing as a professional in 1951 winning all 29 of his first fights, 19 of these coming by knockout. He then lost his first fight to Gil Turner by unanimous decision in […]