CAMPOLO, VICTORIO SIGNED PHOTO

HISTORY: 

Vittorio María Campolo was born on June 2, 1903, in the port of Villa San Giovianni in Reggio, Calabria. After an earthquake devastated his hometown, he settled first in the province of Córdoba with his parents and six siblings—two of whom died in the quake—and then, in 1921, in Quilmes. The family opened a butcher shop on the corner of Lavalle and Brandsen (which still exists today). It was there, among the half-carcasses, that the young Gigante began the art of fistfighting. Quilmes welcomed him and paved the way for his life: the sport of fistfighting, which in the 1920s moved public opinion through the victorious campaign of Luis Ángel Firpo.
Standing 2.07 meters tall, with a fearsome arm reach of 208 centimeters, he faced the best boxers in the world in the mid-1920s, making headlines in every newspaper. In those years, boxing was still a popular passion.
After a brief amateur career, he made his professional debut, knocking out Johnny Cipriano on July 31, 1925, in Buenos Aires. Five consecutive victories followed, until on May 25, 1928, the American Monte Munn beat him so badly that Argentine tabloids, including the Santa Fe-based El Orden, headlined, "V. Campolo is going to die." Alarm and grief spread throughout Quilmes, and people gathered at the corner of Brandsen and Lavalle streets to hear the news of his condition immediately. So much so that a police guard had to be posted to maintain order among the most successful boxers.
He had suffered a concussion, so, as the number 22 tram coming from Buenos Aires passed by the butcher shop and his family's home, and Victorio needed peace and quiet, the entire community, local authorities, and those from the tram line took hold, suspended service, and blocked the street.
That injury, however, was a turning point in the Giant's career. Less than a year later, he embarked for the United States to challenge the star boxers of the time: Arthur de Kuh, Tom Heeney, Phil Scott, and Primo Carnera, among others, headlining venues like Madison Square Garden in New York. Between 1929 and 1931, he fought a total of fourteen bouts on American soil and made such a name for himself that he was even on the verge of facing the world heavyweight champion, the legendary German Max Schmeling.
His fame landed him on the cover of the famous magazine The Ring. While in the US, his training camp was visited by all the tango musicians touring the great northern country, and his national music attracted worldwide interest. In Quilmes, when boxing matches were broadcast on the radio, neighbors would gather in front of clubs, libraries, or family homes that owned radios to listen to the action, as radio receivers were not yet affordable. In 1930, he was crowned Argentine Heavyweight Champion, a title he relinquished on June 11, 1932, and continued boxing until December 1934. He succeeded Luis Ángel Firpo, and his successor was José Domingo Caratoli. In his nine-round campaign, he posted a remarkable record of 21 wins (17 by knockout), 8 losses (3 by knockout), and one draw, rounding out 30 fights with an impressive 56.67 percent knockout percentage. His younger brother, Valentín, followed suit and also made history, winning the South American title in the same heavyweight division.
When Victorio returned from his trip to the U.S., all the fans were waiting for him at the station.

• Nationality: Argentina.
• Stance: Orthodox.
• Height: 6' 6" / 198cm.
• Reach: 82" / 208cm.
• Amateur Career:
  • 1925: Knocked out Anthony Cecchini in 1st round at the Pan American Championship Competition in Boston, MA.
  • 1925: Lost to Angus Snyder in 3rd round at the Pan American Championship Competition in Boston, MA.
• Professional Career:
  • Began professional boxing on July 31, 1925.
  • • • 1930: Proclaimed the Argentine Heavyweight Champion.
      • Featured on the cover of The Ring magazine in October 1931.
      • Vacated his Argentine Heavyweight Title on June 11, 1932.
      • Retired in 1934 after a bout with Primo Carnera. 
    
    
    Notable facts
    • Before his boxing career, Campolo worked as a butcher in his father's meat shop in Argentina.
    • He was managed by Gustavo Leneve, Luis Gutierrez, and Jess

Offered here is a signed photo of Vittorio Campolo.

FULL DESCRIPTION: This is a second generation photo of Campolo in full fight pose. Bold, clear image. Clean. Not creased or torn. Boldly signed in ink, and dated 5/12/66. Pencil notations of some of his opponents on reverse. 3" x 5."

Extremely rare, the first we have offered.