The victory transformed Carnera from one of boxing’s biggest draws into the heavyweight champion, although debate over the legitimacy of the result would continue for decades.
Carnera entered the rematch determined to erase the memory of his unanimous decision loss to Sharkey two years earlier. The challenger was already one of the sport’s most recognizable figures because of his extraordinary size, weighing more than 260 pounds at a time when most heavyweights barely topped 200. His immense popularity among Italian immigrants contrasted with widespread skepticism from critics who questioned both his boxing ability and his powerful grooming interests.
Sharkey, known as “The Boston Gob,” was considered the superior technician. He captured the heavyweight championship in 1932 with a disputed split decision over Max Schmeling and saw the Carnera rematch as an opportunity to cement his status as champion. Early on, Sharkey looked well on his way to doing just that.
Using his sharper jab, quicker footwork and greater experience, the defending champion controlled the opening rounds. Contemporary newspaper reports had Sharkey leading comfortably through five rounds as he repeatedly battered the slower Carnera, avoiding lengthy exchanges. The momentum changed dramatically in the sixth.
Carnera backed Sharkey up against the ropes before unleashing a series of heavy punches. After briefly knocking the champion off balance without drawing a count, Carnera jumped in and landed a crushing right uppercut to Sharkey’s chin. The blow sent the champion sprawled to the canvas, where referee Arthur Donovan counted him out at 2:27 of the round.
Sharkey was still very dazed after the score and had to be helped back to his corner.
The upset immediately became one of boxing’s biggest talking points. Due to persistent allegations surrounding organized crime’s influence on Carnera’s career, many observers have questioned whether Sharkey lost on purpose. Others maintained that Carnera simply landed the decisive blow, arguing that the right uppercut was enough to knock Sharkey out.
Sharkey has consistently rejected allegations that he took a dive. Throughout the rest of his life, he insisted that Carnera’s punch was genuine and maintained that he was simply caught by a perfectly timed shot after controlling most of the match.
Carnera’s reign was short. He successfully defended the heavyweight championship once before losing the title to Max Baer in June 1934. Even so, his victory over Sharkey remains one of the defining moments in Italian sporting history and one of heavyweight boxing’s most enduring controversies.
Nearly a century later, the knockout still divides historians. Some see it as a genuine upset caused by a perfect shot. Others remain convinced that the circumstances surrounding the fight will forever leave an unanswered question hanging over one of boxing’s most famous championship changes.
