Hall of Fame trainer Goody Petronelli, Richard Biondi and former contender Mike Pusateri

Cruiserweights

Name-Marc Randazzo

Born-August 10, 1966 Chicago

Manager-Lou Duva Trainer-Angelo Dundee

Record-38-1-1 (17 Ko) Turned Professional-1988

Marc Randazzo was sent by his dad George to train with Lou Duva in New Jersey after getting into a series of street fights. He turned professional in 1988 without an amateur career. Working under legendary trainers Lou Duva, Angelo Dundee, and Georgie Benton, he improved at a remarkable rate.

On December 6, 1993, Randazzo defeated Dan Morgan for a minor title belt. Two years later (9/30/95), he traveled to Germany to fight Ralf Rocchigiani for the WBO Cruiserweight Championship. Rocchigiani defeated him on points. He retired in 1997 after besting Frankie Hines in Nashville.

After boxing, Marc established “Randazzo’s Little Italy Ristorante” in Coral Cables Florida. His father George was the founder of the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame located in Chicago’s Little Italy.

Light Heavyweights

Name-Ray Actis Real Name-Raymond Caporali

Born-August 26, 1911 California Died-February 14, 1997

Record-29-9-5 (24 Ko) Turned Professional-1931

Ray Actis was the son of Italian immigrants. He grew up in the Excelsior Section of San Francisco. Years later, he became the idol of another neighborhood fighter named Pat Valentino.

The “Excelsior Assassin” turned professional in 1931 with all of his early bouts taking place in his hometown. During his career, Actis was ranked in the top ten and he earned impressive victories over Jimmy Smith (1935), Carmen Bath (1936), and Jack Gibbons (1937). In 1938, he fought and lost to Ron Richards in Sydney Australia and Billy Conn in San Francisco.

Name-Frankie DePaula

Born-July 4, 1938 Jersey City Died-September 14, 1970

Manager-Gary Garafola Trainer-Al Braverman

Record-20-7-3 (15 Ko) Turned Professional-1962

Frankie DePaula was a two fisted banger who had a huge following in the tri-state area. He was a cousin of middleweight Joe Curcio. Both are members of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame.

On October 25, 1968, “The Jersey Jolter” floored Dick Tiger twice before losing on points. Ring Magazine selected this as their “Fight of the Year.” On January 2, 1969, Frankie knocked down Bob Foster before being counted out himself while competing for the world championship.

DePaula, the 1962 New York City Golden Gloves Champion, met Reuben “Hurricane” Carter at Rahway State Prison. Sadly, he was murdered at a young age in what appeared to be a mob related incident. Frankie’s brother Robert tried out for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Name-Young Firpo Real Name-Guido Bardelli

Born-April 25, 1907 Died-August 21, 1984

Managers-Mel Epstein, Bobby Evans, Chuck Snyder, and Joe Waterman

Record-74-15-4 (45 Ko) Turned Professional-1924

Guido Bardelli’s father died at a young age forcing his mother to move the family from Vermont to Idaho. Firpo turned professional in 1924 without a single amateur fight. Despite the lack of experience, he learned quickly and he was naturally strong and fast.

During his great career, Firpo defeated many durable boxers including Tiger Jack Fox, George Manley, Leo Lomski, and Wesley Ketchell. He was the Pacific Northwest Middleweight Champion and the Pacific Coast Light Heavyweight Champion. Firpo retired in 1937 and in 1947 he made a one-fight comeback defeating Bob Noonan.

After boxing, he served as a referee and a boxing promoter. Lastly, he is a member of the World Boxing and the Idaho Sports Hall of Fames.

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Name-Francesco Fratalia

Born-July 2, 1926 Civitavecchio Italy Died-December 8, 2008

Manager-Rip Valenti Trainer-Allie Colombo

Record-92-14-6 (amateur and professional) Turned Professional-1949

Frankie “Kid” Fratalia started to box at the age of thirteen and he was the Italian Amateur Champion for three years. In 1948, he was a member of the Italian Olympic team. Unfortunately, he was unable to compete in London due to an appendectomy. In October of 1949, he came to the United States alone and without any money.

As a fighter, Fratalia was quick. He served as a sparring partner for his friend and stable mate Rocky Marciano for his first fight with Roland La Starza in March of 1950. In perhaps his biggest fight, “Kid” lost to future European Champion Gustav Scholz (4/15/51).

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Name-Vic Manni

Born-January 30, 1933 New York City

Manager-Johnny Sheenan Trainer-Jimmy O’Donnell

Record-11-4 Turned Professional-1952

Vic Manni’s father and uncle were both professional boxers. His uncle fought under the name of Jack Marsh. As an amateur, Manni went 47-4-3. * He participated in the golden gloves but had to pull out after getting stabbed in a street fight.

As a fighter, Manni had a good chin and he was a powerful puncher. After his brief career was over, he became a promoter at Sunnyside Gardens. This venue, located on Queens Boulevard, held thousands of fights before it’s doors were closed for good in December of 1977.

After re-locating to Los Angeles, Manni became an actor. He has appeared in over fifteen movies as well as many commercials. Perhaps, his most famous role was that of Louie Tucci in 29^th Street (1991) starring Danny Aiello and Anthony LaPaglia.

*Interview.Vic Manni. August 2, 2002.

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Name- Mike Pusateri

Born-June 23, 1940 Norwood Massachusetts

Manager and Trainer-Allie Colombo

Record-30-23-4 (28 Ko) Turned Professional-1961

Mike Pusateri was a terrific high school athlete lettering in football, baseball, and track. On the gridiron, he was outstanding fullback earning scholarship offers from Northeastern and the University of Miami. Mike began to box at the age of eighteen on the advice of a good friend named Paul Stivaletta. Stivaletta himself was a good professional fighter (29-1) in the welterweight division.

As an amateur, Pusateri went 30-5. He won the Lowell and New England Golden Gloves Championships in the light heavyweight division.

Professionally, Mike fought throughout the United States as well as South Africa, England, Denmark, Mexico, and Italy. A puncher, his most impressive victories were over Willie Ludick, Kid Bassey, and Doyle Baird. “Iron Mike” also fought and lost to Denny Moyer, Joe DeNucci, Juan Duran, and Terry Downes. A charismatic person, he was also a close friend of Rocky Marciano. The all time great worked in the corner in three of his bouts.

After boxing, Mike worked for the City of Boston. He and his wife Alice have four sons and a daughter. Lastly, he is a member of the Ring 99 Hall of Fame.

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Name-Giulio Rinaldi

Born-February 13, 1935 Anzio Italy

Record-44-16-5 (13 Ko) Turned Professional-1957

Giulio Rinaldi represented Italy in the 1956 Olympics held in Australia. At the games, he defeated Jens Andersen of Denmark. He was eliminated from the tournament by Gennadi Schatkov of the Soviet Union.

The Italian born prizefighter turned professional on March 22, 1957 by knocking out Giuliano Bianchi in Rome. From 1957 to 1960, he competed mainly in his native country. On March 8, 1960, the light punching Rinaldi captured the Italian Light Heavyweight Championship by defeating Santo Amonti. Later in that same year, Giulio bested Archie Moore at the Palazzetto dello Sport in Rome. In their rematch (6/10/61), Moore defeated Rinaldi while fighting for the world title at Madison Square Garden.

The following year (9/28/62), he captured the European Championship by stopping Chic Calderwood from Scotland. Rinaldi successfully defended his title (5/23/63) against Erich Schoppner. Eventually, he lost the crown by disqualification to Gustav Scholz (4/4/64) in Germany.

During the last year of his career, Rinaldi captured the Italian Championship for a second time by defeating Gianfranco Macchia (8/22/70). In his final bout (10/23/70), he lost the domestic championship to Domenico Adinolfi in Rome.

Name-Joey Spina

Born-August 12, 1977 Providence Rhode Island

Manager-Derek Parent Trainer-Eddie Mustafa Muhammad

Record-26-1-2 (18 Ko) Turned Professional-2001

Joey Spina first learned how to box at Eagle Gym under trainer Larry Guglimenti. As an amateur, he went 28-2 and he won four Southern New England Golden Gloves Championships.

“Ko Kid” turned professional in 2001. As a fighter, he relies on tremendous power and a good body attack. Spina’s most impressive wins took place over Carl Daniels (2005), for a minor title, Jesse Brinkley (2006) and Jim Strohl (2008). Joey has also lost to Peter Manfredo Jr. and earned draws against Jose Spearman and Lou Del Valle.

Name-Aldo Traversaro

Born-July 26, 1948 Chiavari Italy

Manager-Rocco Agostino

Record-44-4-6 (31 Ko) Turned Professional-1970

The hard-hitting Aldo Traversaro turned professional on July 18, 1970 by defeating Yves Fenollar by disqualification in Chiavari. In 1971, he won eleven bouts to run his record to 14-0. On February 10, 1972, Emilio Okee defeated Traversaro as a result of cuts in Milan. He avenged that loss a month later in San Remo.

Traversaro won the Italian Light Heavyweight Title by defeating Domenico Adinolfi on August 25, 1973. For the next five years, he successfully defended the title nine times. On November 26, 1977, Aldo bested Bunny Johnson to capture the European Championship. The following year, he made three successful title defenses in which two ended in draws.

On December 5, 1978, Traversaro challenged Mike Rossman for the WBA Championship at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, after five rounds he had to retire due to an injury. In his last fight (3/8/79), Aldo lost the European Title to Rudy Koopmans in Rotterdam.

Mini profiles of former contenders.