It was just a few days before Christmas. I didn’t wanna have a bout during the holidays but the press and da fans was insistent. My trademark was da purple trunks wid da yellow trim. The bell rang and I exploded into the center of da ring. Two left hooks and a right cross and the guy was out. KO. It was absolute bedlam in da arena dat night. A young(I do mean young) Italian kid (I do mean kid) from Staten Island had won the title! I was dizzy from the hundreds of flashes from da cameras and dey carried me out hoisted high above the crowd! It was glorious.
I was Champ for only five minutes though, because it was supper time and I had to go to the bathroom. It was 1952. That’s Dad on the right. He was a middleweight champ US Army 1943. And THAT really is a title, buddy.
47 responses to “(Repost) The Day I Was Heavyweight Champeeeen of Da Woilt by Carl D’Agostino”
beverlyshelby
December 22nd, 2013 at 10:42
Such a wonderful post ๐
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totsymae1011
December 11th, 2011 at 11:08
What a cute story to go along with a handsome pair of fellas.
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Carl D'Agostino
December 11th, 2011 at 14:43
Well, thanky right kindly, milady.
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jannatwrites
December 11th, 2011 at 02:17
Such a sweet pic of you and your dad. Did it prep you the teaching profession? ๐
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Carl D'Agostino
December 11th, 2011 at 06:24
You gotta be a lot quicker dodging bullets than punches.
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Mark Petruska
December 10th, 2011 at 23:10
Awesome. This is what we call a TKO to the heart!
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Carl D'Agostino
December 11th, 2011 at 06:25
I think so too.
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weareliterarycritics
December 10th, 2011 at 21:44
I really like this picture. ๐
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Carl D'Agostino
December 11th, 2011 at 06:23
It is one of just 3 or 4 I have of my childhood.
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kateshrewsday
December 10th, 2011 at 17:52
You started young! That’s quite an achievement of your Dad’s Carl.
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Carl D'Agostino
December 10th, 2011 at 19:40
Was bookin numbers by age 5…
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Hansi
December 10th, 2011 at 10:29
Classic 50’s photo. I have a bunch of them too, but I’m in em. ๐
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thysleroux
December 10th, 2011 at 13:42
๐
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Carl D'Agostino
December 10th, 2011 at 19:39
The ugly linoleum and unmatching wall paper…
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jakesprinter
December 10th, 2011 at 07:27
Nice post Carl Your Dad did really great in that time ๐
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Carl D'Agostino
December 10th, 2011 at 09:18
That was about 60 years ago and I still remember that day. I can feel his hand bringing up my arm for that left jab.
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thysleroux
December 10th, 2011 at 13:42
Love the pic!
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adeeyoyo
December 10th, 2011 at 06:54
Lovely to have a dad you can look up to and who supports your dreams, Carl. ๐
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Carl D'Agostino
December 10th, 2011 at 07:03
He turned 88 last month.
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Mountain Republic
December 24th, 2010 at 11:23
Hey Carl
You’d didn’t tell me he was Army champ of 1943! He probably knocked my uncle out!
Love the blog – it did make me smile! Merry Xmas to you & yours!
MR
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carldagostino
December 24th, 2010 at 12:08
Good. Mission accomplished. Regards
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carldagostino
December 22nd, 2010 at 09:34
Thank you for your kind words and for subscribing. Got plenty of cartoons ready for 2011 and some serious stuff too. Best wishes for your holidays. I am especially happy because my son is here for two weeks. He will be 29 on New Year’s Day. And my granddaughter will be 8 on Christmas Day!
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sunshineinlondon
December 22nd, 2010 at 09:09
What an adorable post, Carl! You write (and right, clearly) so well! This warmed my heart.
Sunshine
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Maxi
December 20th, 2010 at 14:25
Talk about a super connection. I was born in Staten Island, stillโฆ
I consider Miami my home town. Miami is where I was raised, where I grew up.
Loved the story – Maxi
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carldagostino
December 20th, 2010 at 14:32
Check your mail. Go Dolphins. Go Marlins. Afraid our fish really do stink like fish, however.
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carldagostino
December 20th, 2010 at 13:33
Thanks a ton, lady. Unfortunately it’s da only photo I gots. Buts alms sure da photos faded away far sooner dan do memories.
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Sana Johnson-Quijada MD
December 20th, 2010 at 13:28
don’t let anyone convince you otherwise champ! rock it!
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Sana Johnson-Quijada MD
December 20th, 2010 at 13:14
too cute!
the folding of time…
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carldagostino
December 20th, 2010 at 13:27
Lemme tell ya. I ain’t so cute when youse da one in da ring. I don’t regret my short career because most people are spectators and alleged experts from their arm chairs. But I just wasn’t at da arena. I WAS IN THE RING and that is something I will always carry wid me, buddy.
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theonlycin
December 20th, 2010 at 05:14
Very sweet. Your dad looks like an actor; can’t think of his name for the moment …
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carldagostino
December 20th, 2010 at 05:24
He’d be amused with that but in the real sense he never “acted”. He is the most sincere, honest,genuine, and dependable person I have ever known. He was a welder in the shipyards of WW II and then an airplane mechanic for the rest of his working days. I admire him most for his ability to absorb illness, disappointment and age with stoic but enviable grace. Thanks for the visit. I just heard a bell ring and I must prepare for my next boxing match.
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kateshrewsday
December 20th, 2010 at 04:13
Whadda Dad. And whadda Christmas ๐
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carldagostino
December 20th, 2010 at 05:02
I really do have recollections of the moment beyond the photo. I can still feel my father moving and adjusting my left arm into the jab position and that floor linoleum was the ugliest swirl design of light and dark olive green. Dad and mother are 87 and live with me as I am sole child. I sees youse gots da New Yorks accent down wid the correct usage of “whadda”!
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nursemyra
December 19th, 2010 at 17:52
Adorable
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carldagostino
December 19th, 2010 at 18:27
My next bout will be in Brisbane. Free ringside seats if you can make it.
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R. Van Conoley
December 19th, 2010 at 04:49
OUTSTANDING!!! R. Van Conoley
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carldagostino
December 19th, 2010 at 07:51
Thanks V. I made my money and got out quick.
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carldagostino
August 22nd, 2010 at 08:14
Two wrongs don’t make a right, but two rights can make a title.
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steve
August 22nd, 2010 at 07:39
I especially like the reminiscences of childhood – excellent – since I am close in age and can relate to so many of the experiences (gal-durn-it!).
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carldagostino
August 20th, 2010 at 19:55
Tanks fo vizzitin wid me Jakes. I likes da spinach ravioli. I’m 61 now, so’s a comeback ain’t too likely. Some people watch and others take pictures and others bet and others argue and yell. All’s spectator stuff. I wazzent AT da ring. I was IN da ring!
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Renรฉe A. Schuls-Jacobson
August 20th, 2010 at 18:46
Peeved beat me to it! I was going to start humming the theme to “Rocky.” I guess I’ll just add, “Yo Adrianne, get me some ravioli!” ๐
I love it!
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carldagostino
August 20th, 2010 at 16:24
Not only did I grow taller……..
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perpetuallypeeved
August 20th, 2010 at 15:45
It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the… oh, huh?, sorry.
You were so cute. It’s nice to know you grew a few inches since then! ๐
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carldagostino
August 20th, 2010 at 03:01
If you win in round one, you’re all done
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Luke The Drifter
August 19th, 2010 at 23:43
Go Rocky!
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carldagostino
August 19th, 2010 at 13:28
I’m glad I got outta da fight game early. I gots all my teet and still pretty nose and ain’t raddle brained like da odda guys
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Amy
August 19th, 2010 at 13:17
Very cute, Carl!
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