Primo Carnera, Italian brobdingnag ... The doctor had authority to stop the fight at any time if the patient felt badly. In the opposite corner sat Jim Maloney, hairy, amiable and hog-fat ...

Primo Carnera in training before his championship fight against Jack Sharkey in New York. (brandstaetter images via Getty Images) 'The most costly piece of tapestry ever known' Whispers of fixed ...