Nicknamed “Two Ton,” Galento promoted the fight through insults. He mocked Louis, promised to “moider da bum” and cultivated stories about preparing with beer, hamburgers and spaghetti. He fought from a low crouch, attacked with either hand and freely mixed elbows, thumbs and his head into his work.
Louis ordinarily remained detached from an opponent’s taunts. Galento irritated him enough that the champion later admitted he wanted to punish the challenger instead of ending the fight quickly. That decision nearly became costly. During the opening round, Galento charged forward and connected with heavy left hook
