Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-21
BIC ITALIAN MAKES
u. S. DEBUT FRIDAY
Primo's Record Is a "Bust,"
Except for Blow That
Floored StribIing.
BY SPARROW McGANN.

N EW YORK, January 2l.-When
M Camera makes his Official de-
but in an American ring next
Friday evening with Big Boy
Peterson as his opponent. The contest
is billed for 10 rounds, but it is hardly
likely that the Minneapolis swinger will
answer the bell for the scheduled tenth
round.
Experts have watched the big fellow
in training here very closely, and a
week has passed without one coming
out point blank with declaration that
Camera has something besides his huge
frame to recommend him to local fans.
His record has been scrutinized care
fully Nothing of startling nature has
been disclosed, other than a willingness
on the part of the Italian giant to claim
foul when hit in the tummy.
Camera has had two fights with
Young Stribling. Both ended in fouls.
Strib lost when English judges decided
one of the Georgian's blows struck be-
low the waist line. In a return meet
ing at Paris Camera failed to hear the
gong ending the round and Strib was
declared the victor.
Hurt by Stribling.
In both of these fights Camera
showed that he could be hurt by an
opponent 9 inches smaller than himself
and outweighed 88 pounds. Strib, in
fact, scored a knockdown over his mas
sive foe. Camera returned the compli-
ment. One of Primo's downward slams
caught Stribling on top of the head and
dazed the Georgian so that the latter
had to go down and regain his senses.
Outside of that Camera proved bust.
The local boxing commission promul-
gated rule which works in favor of
the huge Italian. No one will be con-
sidered a fit opponent for Camera who
does not measure 6 feet 2 inches and
weigh at least 2l0 pounds. An exami-
nation of ring records discloses very few
| heavieS coming up to those require
ments, and those that do have not as
yet earned the right to be considered
seriously. If other States adopt this
ruling, Camera will lack opponents, and
will be accepted as champion of a new
class, probably dubbed gross heavy
weights" This writer had long chat
with Camera, and was permitted to
measure the size of the mastodon.
Hand Like a Ham.
In shaking hands with Primo the
ham-like mitt covered the writer's en-
tire hand, and two fingers of the giant
| IlGJeQ around the WrlSC. An attempt 10
encircle Cameras neck with both hands
left gap inches short. Primo's box
ing shoes, made to special order, were
then brought in, and this observer was
able to put his feet, shoes and all, in
Cameras shoes and lace them up.
Primo Camera is a big fellow. His
hands, feet and neck strike one as being
the biggest things he has ever seen on
q human being. There Is still another
feature about the giant which will cause
no end of discusSion-Carnera's legs.
The veins stand out like whipcords, and
if examined it will be found that the
Italian is tied up with varicose veins.
This is borne out by the fact
that around the ankles and calves the
marks of a scalpel are plainly visible.
This proves that the weight of Car
nera'S body is far too. heavy for even
his strong legs to carry. 1t would indi-
cate that Primo will not be around the
fight racket very long. Once fighters
legs go, his life in the ring is short.
AS to Cameras hobbies, music and
drawing take first place. All day long
a portable radio set drones out music
for him, and Primo's taste is for Amer
lean jazz. He is not surly fellow, and
has broad sense of humor A famous
French cartoonist is a member of Car
nera's group, and Primo has developed
rare skill in caricature. His sketches
are just as funny as his bulk is for
midable.