Primo : The Story of "Man Mountain" Carnera by Frederic Mullally (Robson Books, £9.99 in UK)

Variously known as "Satchel Feet" and the "Ambling Alp", the boxer Primo Carnera was a simple man who was exploited by scheming…

Variously known as "Satchel Feet" and the "Ambling Alp", the boxer Primo Carnera was a simple man who was exploited by scheming managers and the Mob into becoming world heavyweight champion, then curtly cast aside when he was no longer a crowd-puller or a celebrity.

Carnera was probably a better boxer than is sometimes allowed, though his punching power was curiously low for such a big man (six foot six - a huge size in the 1930s). Carnera later made a reasonably successful career as a professional wrestler, and died with some dignity and money in the bank. A good read, and well researched.

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