"Carmine Orlando Tilelli" (Vintage 7/16/30)
"Carmine Orlando Tilelli" (Vintage 7/16/30)
Began his career under the name of Joey Giardello on October of 1948 with a KO 1 of Johnny Noel
always a tough cookie
could take a punch with the best of them
and so it was, he started out as a walk-in-banger.
Joey became an instant hit with the Eastern Parkway Arena fite fans
a Brooklyn roller rink that converted to a fite arena come them Monday televised shows.
Remained undefeated thru his first two years
eleven knockouts and five decision wins
but come 1952 the best of Giardello began to surface
a style change from banger to boxer-puncher plus a needed addition to the repertoire
the arrival of physical maturity at a still young age of 21.
No "gimmes" back then
wins over Joe Micelli, Pierre Langlois, Billy Graham twice, Georgie Small
and a win-loss in two outings with Joey Giambra.
The busy beat continued
as did the learning
and the names on the resumι sparkled like fine wine
successes leading to a title shot came over such talents as Walter Cartier, Gil Turner, Ernie Durando, Willie Troy
and Ralph "Tiger" Jones
and a KO 2 over tough German middleweight Peter Mueller.
The chance finally came
1960
a veteran of 106 fights and nearing age 30
opponent Gene Fullmer
site was Bozeman, Montana
not exactly Fullmers living room but close enuf for him to retain title via 15-round draw verdict.
Back to the drawing board, and after three big wins in 1963
Wilf Greaves, Ernie Burford and Sugar Ray Robinson he had earned a second shot at the middleweight bauble.
Date was a memorable one
December 7
with defending champ Dick Tiger
no surprise attack in this one
both gladiators knew the other guy was waitin in the wings over at the ol boardwalk of bag ladies in Atlantic City, NJ.
And when the smoke cleared after 15 rock-em, -sock-em, give and take rounds it was Giardello heading home with the cherished middle title belt.
Finally, after successes over Rocky Rivero, Hurricane Carter and Gil Diaz, he lost the bauble on a return with Dick Tiger via 15 round decision
and then retired on Nov. 6, 67 following a win over Jack Rodgers.
A good one to be sure
as his 133 total bouts with 32 KOs and 68 decision wins would attest to
not to mention the quality of those he once shared center stage with during a time that pro boxing was truly the real deal.
The Giardello name does provide some food for thought
were he doing battle today as one of them HBO contract" fighters you gotta wonder just how the silver-tongued shill Jim Lamphead might be toutin him.
Semper fi,
Geo El
The name on the birth certificate reads Carmine Orlando Tilelli
born July 16, 1930
family moved from Brooklyn, USA to Philly town while he was just a kid.
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