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# 62 • JUNE 12 , 2015
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GREAT ITALIANS OF THE PAST:
PRIMO CARNERA
By Giovanni Verde
The “Gigante buono” (gentle giant)
Primo Carnera has been an Italian
symbol in the world, between the
'20s and the ‘30s of last century.
Boxer, wrestler and actor, through
his achievements he represented
the character with an almost inhuman stature, yet mild-tempered and
romantic. Primo Carnera was born
in Sequals in Friuli on October 26
of 1906, from an extremely poor family. His father is called to the front
of 1st World War in 1915 and his
mother cannot bear the costs of the
family. So, Primo leaves for France,
driven by economic desperation.
fighter. The new job allows Carnera to improve
his economic situation. During his travels with
the circus, the French boxer and heavyweight
In the early champion Paul Journée discovers the hidden
months of his talent of the boy from Friuli. Primo decides to
stay in Fran ce, leave the circus and to devote himself to pugiliduring which stic training, returning to the old carpenter job.
he worked as a
carpenter, Car- In the following years, Primo Carnera is featunera meets a red in several boxing matches around Europe.
circus. The per- His technique is still shaky, but he has an excepson in charge tional strength in his fist and an almost superof the show no- natural resistance. His European tour ends with
tices his extra- sixteen wins and two losses.
ordinary physique and gives On December 31, 1929 Primo Carnera lands in
him a job as a the United States of America. These are the ye-
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