Al Silvani

Last updated
Al Silvani
Born(1910-03-26)March 26, 1910
New York City, New York, U.S.
Died January 10, 1996(1996-01-10) (aged 85)
North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation Boxing trainer, actor

Al Silvani (March 26, 1910 – January 10, 1996) was an American boxing trainer and actor.

Professional boxing sport

Professional boxing, or prizefighting, is regulated, sanctioned boxing. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse that is divided between the boxers as determined by contract. Most professional bouts are supervised by a regulatory authority to guarantee the fighters' safety. Most high-profile bouts obtain the endorsement of a sanctioning body, which awards championship belts, establishes rules, and assigns its own judges and referee.

Contents

As one of the most sought-after trainers in the business, Silvani trained over twenty world champions, including Jake LaMotta, Henry Armstrong, Carmen Basilio, Fritzie Zivic, Pone Kingpetch, Rocky Graziano, Ingemar Johansson, and Lou Ambers.

Jake LaMotta American boxer

Giacobbe "Jake" LaMotta was an American professional boxer, former world middleweight champion, and stand-up comedian. Nicknamed "The Bronx Bull" or "Raging Bull", LaMotta was a rough fighter who was not a particularly big puncher, but he would subject his opponents to vicious beatings in the ring. With use of constant stalking, brawling and inside fighting, he developed the reputation for being a 'bully'; he was what is often referred to today as a swarmer and a slugger.

Henry Armstrong American boxer

Henry Jackson Jr. was an American professional boxer and a world boxing champion who fought under the name Henry Armstrong.

Carmen Basilio American boxer

Carmen Basilio was an American professional boxer who was the world champion in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions. He is also famous for defeating Sugar Ray Robinson to win the middleweight title. An iron-chinned pressure fighter, Basilio was a combination puncher who had great stamina, and eventually wore many of his opponents down with vicious attacks to the head and body.

He also had a lengthy career in the film industry as an actor, stunt man, and as a technical advisor—most noteworthy a lead role in Robin and the Seven Hoods . He also appeared in From Here to Eternity , Ocean's Eleven , Stir Crazy , Every Which Way But Loose , The Gauntlet , Rocky , Rocky II and Rocky III .

<i>From Here to Eternity</i> 1953 drama film based on the novel of the same name directed by Fred Zinnemann

From Here to Eternity is a 1953 American romantic drama film directed by Fred Zinnemann, and written by Daniel Taradash, based on the novel of the same name by James Jones. The picture deals with the tribulations of three U.S. Army soldiers, played by Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, and Frank Sinatra, stationed on Hawaii in the months leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Deborah Kerr and Donna Reed portray the women in their lives, and the supporting cast includes Ernest Borgnine, Philip Ober, Jack Warden, Mickey Shaughnessy, Claude Akins, and George Reeves.

<i>Stir Crazy</i> (film) 1980 American comedy film directed by Sidney Poitier

Stir Crazy is a 1980 American comedy film directed by Sidney Poitier, produced by Hannah Weinstein and written by Bruce Jay Friedman. The film stars Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor as unemployed friends who are given 125-year prison sentences after being framed for a bank robbery. While in prison they befriend other prison inmates. The film reunited Wilder and Pryor who had appeared previously in the 1976 comedy thriller film Silver Streak. The film was released in the United States on December 12, 1980.

<i>The Gauntlet</i> (film) 1977 American action film directed by Clint Eastwood

The Gauntlet is a 1977 American action thriller film directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Eastwood and Sondra Locke. The film's supporting cast includes Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney, and Mara Corday. Eastwood plays a down-and-out cop who falls in love with a prostitute (Locke) whom he is assigned to escort from Las Vegas to Phoenix in order for her to testify against the mob.

He was a close personal friend of Frank Sinatra and hung out with Sinatra's Rat Pack.

Frank Sinatra American singer, actor, and producer

Francis Albert Sinatra was an American singer, actor, and producer who was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide.

Rat Pack media term for an informal group of entertainers centered on the Las Vegas casino scene in the 1960s

The Rat Pack is a term used by the media to refer to an informal group of entertainers centered on the Las Vegas casino scene. Having its origins in a group of friends that met at the Los Angeles home of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, by the 1960s, it was the name used by the press and the general public to refer to a later variation of the group that called itself "the Summit" or "the Clan", featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop among others; they appeared together on stage and in films in the early 1960s, including the movies Ocean's 11, Sergeants 3, and Robin and the 7 Hoods. Sinatra, Martin, and Davis were regarded as the group's lead members.

Inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame.

2006 California Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee.

Fighters trained

Alexis Argüello Nicaraguan boxer

Alexis Argüello was a Nicaraguan professional boxer who competed from 1968 to 1995, and later became a politician. He was a three-weight world champion, having held the WBA featherweight title from 1974 to 1976; the WBC super featherweight title from 1978 to 1980; and the WBC lightweight title from 1981 to 1982. Additionally, he held the Ring magazine and lineal featherweight titles from 1975 to 1977; the Ring lightweight title from 1981 to 1982; and the lineal lightweight title in 1982. In his later career he challenged twice for light welterweight world titles, both times in famous fights against Aaron Pryor.

Nino Benvenuti Italian boxer

Giovanni "Nino" Benvenuti is a retired Italian boxer and actor. As an amateur welterweight boxer he won the Italian title in 1956–60, the European title in 1957 and 1959, and an Olympic gold medal in 1960, receiving the Val Barker trophy for boxing style. In 1961, having an amateur record of 120-0, he turned professional and won world titles in the light-middleweight division and twice in the middleweight division. Near the end of his boxing career he appeared in Sundance and the Kid (1969) and then in Mark Shoots First (1975).

Tom Bogs Danish boxer

Tom Bogs is a retired Danish middleweight boxer.

Death

Silvani died in the North Hollywood section of Los Angeles in 1996.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1953 From Here to Eternity Soldier Leaving New Congress ClubUncredited
1956 Somebody Up There Likes Me Rocky's SecondUncredited
1958TempestadePope Gerasim
1959 Al Capone WaiterUncredited
1959 The Gene Krupa Story Man Rubbing Krupa's ShouldersUncredited
1960 Ocean's 11 Burlesque Club ManagerUncredited
1960Let No Man Write My EpitaphBit RoleUncredited
1961 The Young Savages Dention Center GuardUncredited
1962 Kid Galahad Training Camp SpectatorUncredited
1963 Come Blow Your Horn Bell-HopUncredited
1964 Robin and the 7 Hoods Robbo's Hood #4
1965 Von Ryan's Express American P.O.W. at Train StationUncredited
1965 Marriage on the Rocks Mexican CharacterUncredited
1972 Fat City Referee at Tully-Lucero FightUncredited
1973 The All-American Boy RefereeUncredited
1975 The Black Bird Bartender
1976 Rocky Cut Man
1977 Bobby Deerfield Mechanic
1977 The Gauntlet Police Sergeant
1978 Every Which Way But Loose Tank Murdock's Manager
1979 Rocky II Cutman
1980 Stir Crazy InmateUncredited
1982 Rocky III Al

Related Research Articles

Carlos Ortiz Puerto Rican boxer

Carlos Juan Ortiz is a Puerto Rican former professional boxer. He won three world titles, two at lightweight and once at light welterweight. Along with Félix Trinidad, Miguel Cotto, Wilfredo Gómez, Héctor Camacho, and Wilfred Benítez, Ortiz is considered among the best Puerto Rican boxers of all time by sports journalists and analysts. As of January 2018, Ortiz holds the record for the most wins in unified lightweight title bouts in boxing history at 10.

Emanuel Steward American boxer, trainer, and commentator

Emanuel "Manny" Steward was an American boxer, trainer, and commentator for HBO Boxing. Steward trained 41 world champion fighters throughout his career, most notably Thomas Hearns, through the famous Kronk Gym and later heavyweights Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko. His heavyweight fighters had a record of 34-2-1 combined in title fights. He was an inductee of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame, and the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Steward was also known for his charity work in Detroit, Michigan, helping the youth to attain an education.

<i>Rocky V</i> 1990 American film

Rocky V is a 1990 American sports drama film. It is the fifth film in the Rocky series, written by and starring Sylvester Stallone, and co-starring Talia Shire, Stallone's real-life son Sage, and real-life boxer Tommy Morrison, with Morrison in the role of Tommy Gunn, a talented yet raw boxer. Sage played Rocky Balboa, Jr, whose relationship with his famous father is explored. After Stallone directed the second through fourth films in the series, Rocky V saw the return of John G. Avildsen, whose direction of Rocky won him an Academy Award for Best Director.

Rocky Marciano American boxer

Rocco Francis Marchegiano, best known as Rocky Marciano, was an American professional boxer who competed from 1947 to 1955. He held the world heavyweight title from 1952 to 1956, and retired undefeated as champion. His six title defenses were against Jersey Joe Walcott, Roland La Starza, Ezzard Charles (twice), Don Cockell and Archie Moore.

Archie Moore American boxer

Archie Moore was an American professional boxer and the longest reigning World Light Heavyweight Champion of all time. He had one of the longest professional careers in the history of the sport, competing from 1935 to 1963. Nicknamed "The Mongoose", and then "The Old Mongoose" in the latter half of his career, Moore was a highly strategical and defensive boxer, with a great chin and durability. Archie Moore ranks fourth on The Ring's list of "100 greatest punchers of all time". Moore is rated by prominent boxing website BoxRec as the 3rd greatest pound-for-pound boxer of all-time. Moore was also a trainer for a short time after retirement, training boxers such as Muhammad Ali, George Foreman and James Tillis.

Louis "Lou" Duva was a boxing trainer, manager and boxing promoter who handled nineteen world champions. The Duva family promoted boxing events in over twenty countries on six continents. Lou Duva was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, and The Meadowlands Sports Hall of Fame.

Rocky Graziano American boxer

Thomas Rocco Barbella, better known as Rocky Graziano, was an American professional boxer who held the World Middleweight title. Graziano is considered one of the greatest knockout artists in boxing history, often displaying the capacity to take his opponent out with a single punch. He was ranked 23rd on The Ring magazine list of the greatest punchers of all time. He fought many of the best middleweights of the era including Sugar Ray Robinson. His turbulent and violent life story was the basis of the 1956 Oscar-winning drama film, Somebody Up There Likes Me, based on his 1955 autobiography of the same title.

Robert Davi American actor and jazz singer

Robert John Davi is an American actor, singer, and entertainer. Over the course of his acting career, Davi has performed in more than 130 films. Among his most recognized roles are opera-singing heavy Jake Fratelli in The Goonies (1985), Vietnam veteran and FBI Special Agent Johnson in Die Hard (1988), Bond villain Franz Sanchez in Licence to Kill (1989), police deputy chief Phil Heinemann in Predator 2 (1990) and strip club manager Al Torres in Showgirls (1995). On television, he portrayed FBI Special Agent Bailey Malone in the NBC television series Profiler (1996–2000).

Constantine "Cus" D'Amato was an American boxing manager and trainer who handled the careers of Mike Tyson, Floyd Patterson, and José Torres; all went on to become members of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Several successful boxing trainers, including Teddy Atlas, Kevin Rooney and Joe Fariello, were tutored by D'Amato. He was a proponent of the peek-a-boo style of boxing, in which the fighter holds his gloves close to his cheeks and pulls his arms tight against his torso. The style was criticized by some because it was believed that an efficient attack could not be launched from it.

Rocky Johnson Canadian professional wrestler

Rocky Johnson is a Canadian retired professional wrestler. During his wrestling career, he became a National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Georgia Champion and a NWA Southern Heavyweight Memphis Champion, as well as winning many other championships. Along with his partner Tony Atlas, Johnson was a part of the first black tag team to win the World Tag Team championship in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).

Tony Burton American actor

Anthony Mabron "Tony" Burton was an American actor, boxer, and football player. He was known for his role as Tony "Duke" Evers in the Rocky films.

Rocky Balboa fictional character in the Rocky film series

Robert "Rocky" Balboa is the title character of the Rocky film series. The character was created by Sylvester Stallone, who also portrayed him in all eight Rocky films. Nicknamed The Italian Stallion, he is depicted as an everyman who started out by going the distance and overcoming obstacles that had occurred in his life and career as a professional boxer. While he is loosely based on Chuck Wepner, a one-time boxer who fought Muhammad Ali and lost on a TKO in the 15th round, the inspiration for the name, iconography and fighting style came from boxing legend Rocky Marciano.

Frederick Steven Roach is an American boxing trainer and former professional boxer. Roach is widely regarded as one of the best boxing trainers of all time. He is the enduring boxing coach of the eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, five-time and four-division world champion Miguel Cotto, former WBC Middleweight Champion Julio César Chávez Jr., defensive master and three-time world champion James Toney, former UFC Middleweight and eleven-time Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre, as well as top prospects Jose Benavidez, Peter Quillin, and Vanes Martirosyan. Roach was the trainer of two-time women's world champion Lucia Rijker. He has also trained former junior welterweight champion Amir Khan.

Mickey Goldmill fictional character created by Sylvester Stallone

Michael "Mickey" Goldmill was a fictional character created by Sylvester Stallone and portrayed by Burgess Meredith in the Rocky film series. Meredith was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the first film, as was his co-star Burt Young. The character's gravelly voice, intense demeanor and popular catch phrases helped make him highly recognizable as well as a common source of parody and satire in pop culture.

<i>Rocky</i> (film series) boxing saga of popular films all written by and starring Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa.

Rocky is a series of American boxing sports-drama films. The first film, Rocky (1976), and its five sequels centered on the boxing career of the eponymous fictional character, Rocky Balboa. For the seventh, a spin-off-sequel Creed (2015), and eighth, Creed II, the series shifted its focus towards Adonis Creed, the son of Rocky's deceased rival and friend Apollo Creed, trained by a now retired Rocky. All films in the series were written or co-written by Stallone except for Creed, which was written by Ryan Coogler and Aaron Covington. The original film and the fifth installment were directed by John G. Avildsen, Creed was directed by Coogler, Creed II was directed by Steven Caple Jr., and the rest were directed by Stallone.

Bobby Cassidy, born April 19, 1944, is a former professional boxer who fought from 1963 to 1980. Although born and raised in New York, Cassidy is of Irish lineage and fought under the name, "Irish" Bobby Cassidy.

Silvani is a surname of Italian origin. There are approximately 1516 people with the surname in Italy, the largest number in Emilia Romagna, in Bagno di Romagna, Sarsina, Bologna, and Pieve Santo Stefano, near Arezzo, Tuscany. A considerable number is found in Milan. There are approximately 300 Silvani in France, 350 in USA and 24 in the UK. The surname derives from Latin silva (“forest”) and could have been used by the Romans to refer to their slaves that had Transylvanian origin (Romania/Hungary) The name refers to:

Pete Cunningham (kickboxer) Canadian kickboxer

Peter "Sugarfoot" Cunningham is a retired Canadian 7-time World Champion Hall of Fame kickboxer, boxer, martial artist, actor and author. Rated by experts as one of the greatest full contact fighters of all time, Sugarfoot was a superb technician who possessed high fighting I.Q. and lightning speed. He retired from kickboxing in 1996 with a record of 50-1-1, having avenged the only draw of his career but only one defeated Peter, the undefeated Richard Sylla at the WKA World Title in Paris. Cunningham's skills in the ring have been praised by many martial arts legends, including Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Chuck Norris, Dan Inosanto, Rigan Machado, Don "The Dragon" Wilson and many others. Cunningham maintained a high level competition throughout his career as most of his opponents were either current or former champions. In 1998 in San Jose, California, Peter was honored as the inaugural inductee in the I.S.K.A. Hall of Fame.

Jeff Langton American actor and martial artist

Jeff Langton is an American actor and martial arts performer and practitioner. He is also a professional boxing trainer, cornerman, and cutman.

Tony Stecher American professional wrestler

Anton Charles "Tony" Stecher was an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling and boxing promoter and trainer. He was the booker and trainer for his brother, World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Joe Stecher, and later was America's top wrestling promoter. In 1948, Stecher was one of five promoters to back Paul "Pinkie" George in the formation of the National Wrestling Alliance.

References