thedrifter
03-14-06, 06:12 AM
Remembering the Fighting Marine
Carmen "Nick" Barone, who boxed his way to a 47-11-1 record, died Sunday.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
By Mike Waters
Staff writer
Carmen "Nick" Barone, the Syracuse native who fought for the world's heavyweight title in 1950, passed away on Sunday at the age of 79.
Barone entered the ring for the first time after returning from World War II, earning $40 for his first bout - a four-rounder that he won.
He went on to compile a 47-11-1 record, mainly as a ranked contender in the light-heavyweight division, but his most famous fight came as a heavyweight.
On Dec. 5, 1950, Barone met Ezzard Charles in the champion's hometown of Cincinnati. It was Charles' first defense of the title he took from Joe Louis three months earlier.
Charles was heavily favored, but Barone lasted until the 11th round when he suffered the first knockdown of his career. He got up, but the referee stopped the fight.
"He was one tough son of a gun," said Don Hamilton, who fought in the amateur ranks and later became a friend of Barone's. "He weighed about 175 pounds when he fought Charles, but he went toe-to-toe with him."
Barone fought just five times after meeting Charles and lost four of those bouts. There is an oft-told story that Charles damaged Barone's left eye, but Barone actually took on the champ with his eye already injured.
"Nick told me the story," Hamilton said. "Before the Charles fight, he fought Jimmy Beau in a main event at Madison Square Garden. He won a 10-round decision, but Beau damaged his left eye. He fought Charles with one eye."
Barone kept the injury hidden from the doctors. It wasn't the first time Barone hid the truth to join a fight.
Barone's real name was Carmen. His older brother was named Nick. But at the age of 16, Barone took his older brother's birth certificate and enlisted in the Marines. His World War II service included action at Iwo Jima.
"They called him the Fighting Marine," Hamilton recalled.
Rest In Peace
Ellie
Carmen "Nick" Barone, who boxed his way to a 47-11-1 record, died Sunday.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
By Mike Waters
Staff writer
Carmen "Nick" Barone, the Syracuse native who fought for the world's heavyweight title in 1950, passed away on Sunday at the age of 79.
Barone entered the ring for the first time after returning from World War II, earning $40 for his first bout - a four-rounder that he won.
He went on to compile a 47-11-1 record, mainly as a ranked contender in the light-heavyweight division, but his most famous fight came as a heavyweight.
On Dec. 5, 1950, Barone met Ezzard Charles in the champion's hometown of Cincinnati. It was Charles' first defense of the title he took from Joe Louis three months earlier.
Charles was heavily favored, but Barone lasted until the 11th round when he suffered the first knockdown of his career. He got up, but the referee stopped the fight.
"He was one tough son of a gun," said Don Hamilton, who fought in the amateur ranks and later became a friend of Barone's. "He weighed about 175 pounds when he fought Charles, but he went toe-to-toe with him."
Barone fought just five times after meeting Charles and lost four of those bouts. There is an oft-told story that Charles damaged Barone's left eye, but Barone actually took on the champ with his eye already injured.
"Nick told me the story," Hamilton said. "Before the Charles fight, he fought Jimmy Beau in a main event at Madison Square Garden. He won a 10-round decision, but Beau damaged his left eye. He fought Charles with one eye."
Barone kept the injury hidden from the doctors. It wasn't the first time Barone hid the truth to join a fight.
Barone's real name was Carmen. His older brother was named Nick. But at the age of 16, Barone took his older brother's birth certificate and enlisted in the Marines. His World War II service included action at Iwo Jima.
"They called him the Fighting Marine," Hamilton recalled.
Rest In Peace
Ellie