7. Joey Giardello
Years active: 1948-67
Fight Record: 100-25-7, 1 no-decision, 32 KO
Championships: middleweight
Joey Giardello (Carmine Tilelli) fought anyone anywhere and at any time. He was a clever and adaptable ring mechanic with all the moves and a cast iron chin that never let him down. Some said Giardello was a mob controlled fighter, but the facts tell a different story. Giardello met every African American contender of note and was a leading contender throughout the fifties, but didn’t get a title shot until 1960, twelve years after turning professional. A foul strewn title challenge against Gene Fullmer ended in a controversial draw. Three years later he outpointed Hall of Famer Dick Tiger to win the world title.
