Tami Mauriello and the night he staggered a legend

As he circled to his left, the underdog likely pondered when would be a good time to throw his vaunted right. If the punch landed, his entire life would change.

The underdog, Stefano “Tami” Mauriello, was 23, the highest-ranking contender for heavyweight championship honors. His chances of winning were considered slim at best. But Mauriello had hope. His right hand could be deadly, causing most of his 49 victims to go to sleep, 11 in succession.

His opponent that night was a legend, winner of 57 of 58 professional fights. His single loss had happened at the same venue 10 years before, in a stunning upset. He avenged it two years later in just over two minutes.

Joe Louis was 33 when Mauriello fought him, and had recently concluded his military service honorably. His first real fight in four years (he had fought close to 100 exhibition bouts while in the U.S. Army) had been a much-anticipated rematch against Billy Conn in 1946. Conn had come within a whisker of winning the title five years before. The sequel was a disappointment. Both fighters had slowed. Louis knocked out Conn in eight.

Despite having polio that affected his legs in childhood, Mauriello, born in New York, made his professional debut at 15, knocking out Gilberto Ramirez Vasquez in the opening stanza. Two years later, he challenged reigning light heavyweight champion Gus Lesnevich. Floored for a nine count in round two, Mauriello battled back, only to lose the fight by split decision.

Lesnevich prevailed again in a rematch less than two months later. Mauriello shook off the losses and, fighting sometimes twice a month, won his next ten bouts.

In 1942, he went to Cleveland to face hometown hero, Jimmy Bivins. The talented Bivins, who held victories over Lesnevich, and future champion, Joey Maxim, (and would defeat future heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles the following year) knocked down Mauriello – winning the fight over 10 hard fought rounds.

Mauriello rebounded by defeating warhorse, Lee Savold, and stopping former title challenger Lou Nova. Nova had him down for a nine count in the opening stanza, but as he was prone to do, Mauriello got up and battled back.

A rematch with Bivins went down in New York in 1943. Prior to the fight, Mauriello friend, Frank Sinatra, sang the national anthem. Just like in their first fight, Bivins floored him early. Mauriello rallied, but ran out of time. Mauriello’s loss “made Frank Sinatra cry” writes Jerry Fitch in his book, Cleveland’s Greatest Fighters of All Time.

A pattern was emerging. Mauriello fought harder after he tasted the canvas. Savold had him down in their second fight, but couldn’t keep him there. Mauriello got up and won the fight.

Twenty fights later, he faced off against the aging Louis. Mauriello weighed 198 pounds, Louis 211.

Everyone and his brother knew Louis could be tagged by right hands. That flaw had been exploited by Max Schmeling in 1936. Louis had tweaked his tendency to drop his left, but openings occasionally did present themselves. But Louis was always dangerous. Mauriello was confident he could land his Sunday punch. Louis was noticeably slower. Mauriello wasn’t awed. He’d go for it.

Less than ten seconds into the first heat, he did just that. He let the right fly. The arc was true. The blow landed—sending Louis stumbling into the ropes. Most of the thirty thousand plus in attendance rose in surprise. Was one of the biggest upsets in boxing history imminent.? Mauriello certainly thought so. He followed Louis into the ropes, going for a knockout.

Louis grabbed Mauriello for perhaps a second, and reacting like a switch had been flipped, fought back furiously. It was as if he said, “OK, that got my attention. Now it’s my turn.” Mauriello landed another right, but Louis shook it off and uncorked a wicked left hook that crumbled Mauriello. The challenger rolled over and took a knee, rising at six. He went back to moving to his left as Louis pursued. A big right to the chin hurt Mauriello. He held on. Louis shook him off.

Seconds later, a wicked combination sent Mauriello to his knees. He rested his head on the ring rope, like a man resigned to his fate. For the first time in his career, he wouldn’t be able to get up.

“I thought I had him,” said Mauriello to AP writer Gayle Talbot as tears rolled down his checks. “I thought I had him, and I grew careless.”

Perhaps, but Mauriello had gone for it, which is always admirable. He’d lose five of his next 18 bouts, and retire at 26.

In 1954, he appears in the classic film, On the Waterfront, starring Marlon Brando as Terry Molloy. Mauriello plays Tillio, who bullies and laughs at the misfortune of others. It’s quite enjoyable when Terry, repulsed by the corruption surrounding him, sends the mouthy Tillio flying with a crisp combination. His acting, as the goonish Tillio is solid, and completely opposite of the real happy-go-lucky and kind-hearted Mauriello.

Mauriello died in 1999. His last years were tough. One can only wonder how often he thought about that night in 1946.

No matter. His right hand shook up the world of a legendary heavyweight champion.