Giardello, Joey
[Carmine O. Tilelli]
Boxing
b. July 16, 1930, Brooklyn, NY
b. Jan. 6, 1910, Cerro, Cuba
d. Aug. 8, 1988
A very clever boxer with not much of a knockout punch, Giardello nevertheless had 11 knockouts in his first 17 professional fights, He turned professional in October of 1948 and suffered his first loss, an 8-round decision, in January of 1950 after 18 victories and 1 draw.
Giardello was involved in a very controversial fight against Billy Graham on December 19, 1952. He was originally awarded a split decision, but two New York State boxing commissioners who were at the fight changed a judge's score card to give Graham the decision. A court later ruled that they had no authority to do so and the original decision was restored.
Despite a fine record, Giardello didn't get a championship fight until April 20, 1960, when he met Gene Fullmer for the middleweight title in Bozeman, MT. Fullmer retained the championship in a 15-round draw.
On December 7, 1963, Giardello won the world middleweight title by decisioning Dick Tiger in 15 rounds at Atlantic City. He defended the championship against Rubin Carter in 1964 but lost it to Tiger in a 15-round decision on October 21, 1965. Giardello retired two years later.
In 133 professional bouts, Giardello had 100 victories, 32 by knockout, and he lost 25, 4 by knockout. He also fought 7 draws and 1 no-decision.
