# Joey Giardello

Carmine Orlando Tilelli (July 16, 1930 – September 4, 2008) was an American boxer who was the world middleweight champion from 1963 to 1965. He adopted the name Joey Giardello (the name of a cousin's friend) in order to join the U.S. Army while underage, and continued to use the pseudonym throughout his boxing career.

## Early life

Giardello was born in Brooklyn, but lived most of his life in the Lower Moyamensing area of South Philadelphia. He joined the U.S. Army while underage towards the end of World War II, using a cousin's friend's name, and volunteered for airborne duty. During his military time, he took part in Army boxing matches, and after his discharge in 1948, began boxing professionally. He continued to use the name he had enlisted under, Joey Giardello, in his boxing career.

## Professional career

During his early career, he had a scuffle at a gas station which cost him $100,000 in prize fight money and five months in jail.
As a pro, he quickly racked up a 15–1–2 record in his first 18 fights while facing less-than-stellar opposition. His only loss was a decision to undefeated boxer Jimmy Morton. During this time, he fought just three men who had previously won a fight. It caught up with Giardello on January 16, 1950, when he was handed his second defeat by Joe DiMartino, a journeyman with a 6–10 record.
After that embarrassment, he began to face better opposition and by 1951, was beating some of the better middleweight boxers on the Philadelphia scene. On June 4, 1954, Los Angeles-based heavyweight boxer Clarence Henry, who was managed by Mafiosi Frank "Blinky" Palermo, was arrested in New York City for attempting to bribe Oakland middleweight Bobby Jones to throw his June 11 Madison Square Garden match with Giardello. Henry allegedly offered $15,000 to Jones to throw the fight. Once the third-ranked heavyweight contender, Henry was released after posting $2,000 bail and subsequently retired from the ring. Giardello beat Jones in a close decision.
Giardello's fight vs. Billy Graham was the next significant bout. The decision first was awarded to Giardello, then later reversed to a decision in favor of Graham, then reversed again, some time later as a result of litigation, in favor of Giardello. This fight is known in boxing lore as "The reversed reversal."
In 1960, Giardello received his first championship opportunity. On April 20, he faced Gene Fullmer for the National Boxing Association version of the world middleweight title. He missed out on the title when he and Fullmer fought to a draw over 15 rounds.
Giardello lost four of his next six fights, but then came back strong with an 8–1–1 record in his next 10, all of which were over some of the biggest names in the division at that time. One of his wins, a 10-round decision over Henry Hank on January 30, 1962, was chosen as Ring Magazine's fight of the year. Then, on June 24, 1963, Giardello upset boxing legend Sugar Ray Robinson, and at the age of 33, was finally named as the No. 1 challenger for the world middleweight title.
On December 7, 1963, Giardello faced Dick Tiger in Atlantic City for the title and won a controversial decision in 15 rounds.
He reigned as world champion for nearly two years, winning four fights during that time. On December 14, 1964, he fought "Hurricane" Rubin Carter in a title defense. In the first three rounds, Carter stalked Giardello and was the aggressor, as the champion looked to stay away from Carter's left hook. In the 4th round, Carter opened a cut over Giardello's left eye and staggered him with several head shots. By the 13th round, Carter had begun to tire, and Giardello began pounding Carter's head and body, which continued through the 15th and final round. According to Carter, he dominated Giardello the first ten rounds, but Giardello was awarded a unanimous decision, an event dramatized in the 1999 film The Hurricane. Carter would later revise his claims, admitting he should have fought Giardello more aggressively.
In a rematch with Dick Tiger on October 21, 1965, the Nigerian won a unanimous decision over Giardello in 15 rounds to regain the belt. Giardello was described as "back pedaling for most of the fight." Giardello fought just four more times over the next two years before retiring.

## Professional boxing record

| 131 fights | 97 wins | 26 losses |
| By knockout | 30 | 4 |
| By decision | 67 | 22 |
| Draws | 8 | 8 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 133 | Win | 98–26–8 (1) | Jack Rodgers | SD | 10 | Nov 6, 1967 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 132 | Loss | 97–26–8 (1) | Jack Rodgers | UD | 10 | May 22, 1967 | Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 131 | Loss | 97–25–8 (1) | Nate Collins | TKO | 8 (10) | Dec 5, 1966 | Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 130 | Win | 97–24–8 (1) | Cash White | UD | 10 | Sep 22, 1966 | Municipal Stadium, Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 129 | Loss | 96–24–8 (1) | Dick Tiger | UD | 15 | Oct 21, 1965 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Lost WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles |
| 128 | Win | 96–23–8 (1) | Gil Diaz | PTS | 10 | Apr 23, 1965 | Arena, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 127 | Win | 95–23–8 (1) | Rubin Carter | UD | 15 | Dec 14, 1964 | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles |
| 126 | Win | 94–23–8 (1) | Juan Carlos Rivera | UD | 10 | May 22, 1964 | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 125 | Win | 93–23–8 (1) | Juan Carlos Rivera | SD | 10 | Apr 17, 1964 | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 124 | Win | 92–23–8 (1) | Dick Tiger | PTS | 15 | Dec 7, 1963 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Won WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles |
| 123 | Win | 91–23–8 (1) | Sugar Ray Robinson | UD | 10 | Jun 24, 1963 | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 122 | Win | 90–23–8 (1) | Ernest Burford | UD | 10 | Mar 25, 1963 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 121 | Win | 89–23–8 (1) | Wilf Greaves | SD | 10 | Feb 25, 1963 | Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. | |
| 120 | Win | 88–23–8 (1) | Johnny Morris | SD | 10 | Nov 12, 1962 | Civic Center, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 119 | Loss | 87–23–8 (1) | George Benton | UD | 10 | Aug 6, 1962 | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 118 | Win | 87–22–8 (1) | Jimmy Beecham | UD | 10 | Jul 9, 1962 | Midway Stadium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. | |
| 117 | Win | 86–22–8 (1) | Henry Hank | MD | 10 | Jan 30, 1962 | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 116 | Draw | 85–22–8 (1) | Joe DeNucci | MD | 10 | Dec 12, 1961 | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 115 | Win | 85–22–7 (1) | Jesse Smith | UD | 10 | Nov 6, 1961 | International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 114 | Win | 84–22–7 (1) | Jesse Smith | UD | 10 | Sep 12, 1961 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 113 | Loss | 83–22–7 (1) | Henry Hank | UD | 10 | Jul 10, 1961 | Convention Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 112 | Win | 83–21–7 (1) | Wilf Greaves | TKO | 9 (10) | May 15, 1961 | Alhambra A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 111 | Loss | 82–21–7 (1) | Ralph Dupas | UD | 10 | Mar 6, 1961 | Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 110 | Loss | 82–20–7 (1) | Peter Müller | PTS | 10 | Dec 1, 1960 | Messesporthalle, Cologne, West Germany | |
| 109 | Loss | 82–19–7 (1) | Terry Downes | PTS | 10 | Oct 11, 1960 | Empire Pool, London, England, U.K. | |
| 108 | Win | 82–18–7 (1) | Clarence Hinnant | TKO | 3 (10) | Sep 27, 1960 | Shrine Auditorium, Billings, Montana, U.S. | |
| 107 | Draw | 81–18–7 (1) | Gene Fullmer | SD | 15 | Apr 20, 1960 | Montana St. College Fieldhouse, Bozeman, Montana, U.S. | For NBA middleweight title |
| 106 | Win | 81–18–6 (1) | Dick Tiger | UD | 10 | Nov 4, 1959 | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 105 | Loss | 80–18–6 (1) | Dick Tiger | UD | 10 | Sep 30, 1959 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 104 | Win | 80–17–6 (1) | Chico Vejar | SD | 10 | Aug 11, 1959 | Midway Stadium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. | |
| 103 | Win | 79–17–6 (1) | Del Flanagan | KO | 1 (10) | Jun 16, 1959 | Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. | |
| 102 | Win | 78–17–6 (1) | Holley Mims | SD | 10 | May 6, 1959 | Capitol Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 101 | Loss | 77–17–6 (1) | Ralph Tiger Jones | SD | 10 | Jan 28, 1959 | Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 100 | Loss | 77–16–6 (1) | Ellsworth Webb | TKO | 7 (10) | Nov 19, 1958 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S. | |
| 99 | Loss | 77–15–6 (1) | Joey Giambra | SD | 10 | Jun 30, 1958 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S. | |
| 98 | Win | 77–14–6 (1) | Frank Szuzina | MD | 10 | Jun 11, 1958 | Shoreham Terrace, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 97 | Win | 76–14–6 (1) | Rory Calhoun | UD | 10 | May 5, 1958 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S. | |
| 96 | Win | 75–14–6 (1) | Franz Szuzina | UD | 10 | Feb 12, 1958 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 95 | Win | 74–14–6 (1) | Ralph Tiger Jones | UD | 10 | Dec 27, 1957 | Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
| 94 | Win | 73–14–6 (1) | Wilf Greaves | UD | 10 | Nov 5, 1957 | Denver Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, U.S. | |
| 93 | Win | 72–14–6 (1) | Bobby Lane | TKO | 7 (10) | Sep 27, 1957 | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 92 | Win | 71–14–6 (1) | Chico Vejar | UD | 10 | Jul 17, 1957 | Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 91 | Win | 70–14–6 (1) | Joe Gray | RTD | 5 (10) | Jul 2, 1957 | Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 90 | Win | 69–14–6 (1) | Rory Calhoun | SD | 10 | May 17, 1957 | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 88 | Win | 68–14–6 | Randy Sandy | SD | 10 | Feb 6, 1957 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 87 | Win | 67–14–6 | Charley Cotton | UD | 10 | Dec 14, 1956 | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 86 | Win | 66–14–6 | Charley Cotton | UD | 10 | Nov 15, 1956 | Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 85 | Win | 65–14–6 | Bobby Boyd | KO | 5 (10) | Sep 28, 1956 | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 84 | Win | 64–14–6 | Georgia Kid | TKO | 9 (10) | Aug 28, 1956 | Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
| 83 | Win | 63–14–6 | Franz Szuzina | UD | 10 | Jul 26, 1956 | Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 82 | Win | 62–14–6 | Tony Baldoni | KO | 1 (10) | Jul 2, 1956 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 81 | Loss | 61–14–6 | Charley Cotton | SD | 10 | May 28, 1956 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 80 | Loss | 61–13–6 | Charley Cotton | UD | 10 | May 7, 1956 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 79 | Win | 61–12–6 | Joe Shaw | UD | 10 | Mar 27, 1956 | Town Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 78 | Win | 60–12–6 | Hurley Sanders | PTS | 10 | Mar 10, 1956 | Armory, Paterson, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 77 | Win | 59–12–6 | Tim Jones | TKO | 10 (10) | Feb 11, 1956 | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 76 | Win | 58–12–6 | Peter Müller | KO | 2 (10) | Mar 1, 1955 | Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 75 | Win | 57–12–6 | Andy Mayfield | TKO | 8 (10) | Feb 15, 1955 | Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
| 74 | Win | 56–12–6 | Al Andrews | UD | 10 | Jan 25, 1955 | Municipal Auditorium, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. | |
| 73 | Win | 55–12–6 | Ralph Tiger Jones | UD | 10 | Sep 24, 1954 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 72 | Win | 54–12–6 | Billy Kilgore | UD | 10 | Jul 7, 1954 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 71 | Win | 53–12–6 | Bobby Jones | UD | 10 | Jun 11, 1954 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 70 | Loss | 52–12–6 | Pierre Langlois | UD | 10 | May 21, 1954 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 69 | Win | 52–11–6 | Willie Troy | TKO | 7 (10) | Mar 19, 1954 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 68 | Win | 51–11–6 | Walter Cartier | TKO | 1 (10) | Feb 5, 1954 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 67 | Win | 50–11–6 | Garth Panter | TKO | 5 (10) | Jan 8, 1954 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 66 | Win | 49–11–6 | Tuzo Portuguez | UD | 10 | Nov 23, 1953 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 65 | Win | 48–11–6 | Walter Cartier | UD | 10 | Oct 26, 1953 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 64 | Loss | 47–11–6 | Johnny Saxton | UD | 10 | Sep 29, 1953 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 63 | Win | 47–10–6 | Ernie Durando | UD | 10 | Jun 26, 1953 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 62 | Win | 46–10–6 | Hurley Sanders | PTS | 10 | May 30, 1953 | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 61 | Win | 45–10–6 | Gil Turner | UD | 10 | Apr 7, 1953 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 60 | Loss | 44–10–6 | Billy Graham | UD | 12 | Mar 6, 1953 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 59 | Win | 44–9–6 | Harold Green | UD | 10 | Feb 2, 1953 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 58 | Win | 43–9–6 | Billy Graham | SD | 10 | Dec 19, 1952 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 57 | Loss | 42–9–6 | Joey Giambra | UD | 10 | Nov 11, 1952 | Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. | |
| 56 | Win | 42–8–6 | Joey Giambra | UD | 10 | Oct 13, 1952 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 55 | Win | 41–8–6 | Georgie Small | UD | 10 | Sep 15, 1952 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 54 | Win | 40–8–6 | Billy Graham | SD | 10 | Aug 4, 1952 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 53 | Win | 39–8–6 | Pierre Langlis | UD | 10 | Jun 23, 1952 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 52 | Win | 38–8–6 | Roy Wouters | PTS | 6 | Jun 5, 1952 | Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 51 | Draw | 37–8–6 | Joe Miceli | PTS | 10 | May 5, 1952 | Watres Armory, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 50 | Draw | 37–8–5 | Sammy Guiliani | PTS | 8 | Mar 28, 1952 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 49 | Draw | 37–8–4 | Sal DiMartino | PTS | 10 | Jan 9, 1952 | Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
| 48 | Loss | 37–8–3 | Bobby Dykes | SD | 10 | Dec 12, 1951 | Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
| 47 | Loss | 37–7–3 | Rocky Castellani | MD | 10 | Nov 13, 1951 | Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 46 | Win | 37–6–3 | Tony Amato | KO | 7 (8) | Oct 8, 1951 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 45 | Win | 36–6–3 | Tommy Bazzano | PTS | 6 | Sep 14, 1951 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 35–6–3 | Johnny Noel | UD | 8 | Aug 27, 1951 | Toppi Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 43 | Win | 34–6–3 | Otis Graham | UD | 8 | Aug 13, 1951 | Toppi Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 42 | Loss | 33–6–3 | Gus Rubicini | PTS | 8 | May 25, 1951 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 41 | Win | 33–5–3 | Ernie Durando | UD | 10 | Apr 30, 1951 | Watres Armory, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 32–5–3 | Roy Wouters | UD | 8 | Apr 12, 1951 | Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 39 | Win | 31–5–3 | Primos Cutler | PTS | 8 | Mar 29, 1951 | Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 38 | Loss | 30–5–3 | Roy Wouters | MD | 8 | Mar 15, 1951 | Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 37 | Win | 30–4–3 | Tony Wolfe | KO | 3 (8) | Feb 24, 1951 | Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 29–4–3 | Harold Sampson | SD | 8 | Feb 22, 1951 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 35 | Win | 28–4–3 | Jan Henri | UD | 8 | Jan 27, 1951 | Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 27–4–3 | Freddie Lott | PTS | 8 | Jan 6, 1951 | Ridgewood Grove Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 26–4–3 | Leroy Coleman | KO | 5 (6) | Dec 18, 1950 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 32 | Draw | 25–4–3 | George Roberts | PTS | 6 | Nov 27, 1950 | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 31 | Loss | 25–4–2 | Harold Green | RTD | 6 (10) | Oct 26, 1950 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 25–3–2 | Bruce Ubaldo | PTS | 8 | Oct 16, 1950 | South Main Street Armory, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 24–3–2 | Ted DiGiammo | KO | 1 (6) | Sep 26, 1950 | South Main Street Armory, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 23–3–2 | Don Berry | KO | 1 (6) | Aug 25, 1950 | Scranton Stadium, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 27 | Loss | 22–3–2 | Carey Mace | TKO | 8 (8) | May 17, 1950 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 22–2–2 | Hurley Sanders | UD | 8 | May 5, 1950 | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 21–2–2 | Tommy Varsos | KO | 1 (8) | Apr 20, 1950 | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 20–2–2 | Steve Sabatino | KO | 1 (8) | Mar 27, 1950 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 19–2–2 | Armando Amanini | PTS | 8 | Mar 23, 1950 | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 18–2–2 | Johnny Bernardo | MD | 8 | Feb 9, 1950 | Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 17–2–2 | Johnny Bernardo | PTS | 8 | Jan 26, 1950 | Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 20 | Loss | 16–2–2 | Joe DiMartino | PTS | 8 | Jan 16, 1950 | Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 16–1–2 | Johnny Fry | PTS | 6 | Jan 5, 1950 | Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 15–1–2 | Jim Dockery | KO | 2 (6) | Dec 5, 1949 | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 14–1–2 | Mitch Allen | PTS | 6 | Nov 14, 1949 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 13–1–2 | Leroy Fleming | KO | 1 (6) | Jul 13, 1949 | Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 12–1–2 | Ray Haas | TKO | 3 (6) | Jun 20, 1949 | Toppi Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 11–1–2 | Henry Vonsavage | TKO | 2 (6) | June 6, 1949 | Toppi Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 10–1–2 | Emerson Charles | PTS | 4 | May 2, 1949 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 9–1–2 | Joe Aurillo | PTS | 6 | Apr 28, 1949 | Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 8–1–2 | Ray Morris | PTS | 4 | Apr 25, 1949 | South Main Street Armory, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 7–1–2 | Bill Mongomery | KO | 1 (6) | Apr 7, 1949 | Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 6–1–2 | Johnny Brown | PTS | 4 | Mar 29, 1949 | Little Palestra, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 5–1–2 | Don Ennis | KO | 4 (6) | Mar 15, 1949 | Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 7 | Draw | 4–1–2 | Clyde Diggs | PTS | 6 | Feb 24, 1949 | Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 6 | Loss | 4–1–1 | Jimmy Morton | PTS | 6 | Jan 13, 1949 | Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 4–0–1 | Willie Wigfall | TKO | 1 (4) | Dec 30, 1948 | Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 4 | Draw | 3–0–1 | Bobby Thomas | PTS | 4 | Dec 17, 1948 | Kingston Armory, Kingston, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Johnny Madison | KO | 1 (4) | Dec 16, 1948 | Hamid's Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Jackie Cole | KO | 1 (4) | Nov 16, 1948 | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Jimmy Larkin | KO | 1 (4) | Oct 10, 1948 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |

## Titles in boxing
### Major world titles

* WBA middleweight champion (160 lbs)
* WBC middleweight champion (160 lbs)

### The Ring magazine titles

* The Ring middleweight champion (160 lbs)

### Undisputed titles

* Undisputed middleweight champion

## Life after boxing

After retirement, he went into private business and went back to his real name. He was an insurance salesman and later joined the Misco International Chemical Company as their New York-Philadelphia-New Jersey distributor. He had married his wife Rosalie in 1950, with whom he had four children. He did work with the intellectually disabled, particularly for St. John of God School Community Services in Westville Grove, New Jersey, where his son, Carman, who had Down Syndrome, lived for ten years. He met the pope and was invited to President John F. Kennedy's Inauguration. With his celebrity and title, he participated in countless fundraising events for the intellectually disabled and contributed his time and talent to the Special Olympics, founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. At one event he taught the Special Olympians to jump rope.
He had a small role as a man from "The Syndicate" in the 1975 movie Moonrunners.
In 1996, he was invited to a Hungarian TV talk-show, (Friderikusz show) in which he made appearance in Budapest, Hungary, to celebrate Laszlo Papp's 70th birthday, that was a honorary invitation because of eastern communist block did not let Papp to match with Giardello in 1966, therefore Giardello could keep holding the 2 world titles, while Laszlo Papp was forced by the communist Hungarian government to bring his boxing career to an end.
He later filed a federal lawsuit against Universal Pictures, Beacon Communications and Aloof Films, for unspecified damages, for its "thoroughly false depiction" of his bout with Rubin Carter in Norman Jewison's 1999 film The Hurricane. The case was settled out-of-court and the DVD version of the film included scenes from the actual fight, as well as Jewison's statement that Giardello "no doubt" was a great fighter.
He died on September 4, 2008, in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He was 78 years old.

## Honors

Giardello was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2009, the 3rd boxer to be inducted after Joe Frazier (2004) and Tommy Loughran (2008). He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993. His career record was 101 wins, 25 losses and 7 draws. He was 5-3-1 against other boxers in the Hall of Fame, including a 2–2 mark against Tiger.
A public statue honoring Giardello is situated in the East Passyunk Crossing section of South Philadelphia.