We hear about gangsters who were tough and some people say that because they were killers. Killers might not be able to carry themselves with the same confidence and intimidation if they don’t have a gun. Who were some mobsters who were known to be great street fighters and didn’t need a gun or knife? I have heard stories online about people like Sammy Gravano, Joseph Scopo, Anthony Accetturo and Vinny Gigante all being tough through and through with or without the threat of a weapon.

From what I read no one is kicking tommy karate piteras ass. A psychopath to boot. Also read a while back that tony the roach rampino was strong as an ox and could fight as well as play softball like a pro.

I believe the Snake Persico killed someone in a street brawl, while he was still a teenager.

I saw someone on YouTube who was locked up with the Snake tell a story about Persico knocking a kid out cold because he wouldn’t continue fighting somebody else in the prison.

He was a huge psychopath. I wonder if wise guys even got along with him.

Sammy the Bull said that Gerry Pappa was the toughest guy he ever knew and Bo Dietl said that Joseph Scopo was the toughest guy he ever knew.

btw why the genovese family didn't revenge his death ?!
did the colombo's had the ok to kill him ?

Bruno Indelicato or Johnny Joe Spirito

Gerard was out of control, I don’t know who were the guys affiliated with who blew his head off in his restaurant, but it was to not be avenged

Albert Anastasia was said to be very tough, according Fat Andy Ruggiano Anastasia was the toughest man he ever met. I would think Joel Cacace would also have to make the list of legit tough guys

That’s wild, the Boss is the Boss wherever he goes, it would seem that prison is included.

John Veasey fought off Frank Martines and Vincent Pagano with three bullets in his head

The Hunchback fought off the younger Scarfo guy and took his gun away from him.

Hunchback was the real deal. He was from my old neighborhood. His sister was a real wack job. John John wasn't tough at all. He was really high all the time so he didnt feel anything. One of my closest friends smashed him in the face with a que ball one night even after he was made. He only had balls when he was high and that was 85% of the time. His Brother Billy was really tough with his hands.

Testa had a reputation as a tough guy too I think.

There are many mafiosi in Italy who also have the reputation of being tough and ruthless. Much more ruthless than any Italian American gangsters.

Patsy Parrello.
Angelo DeFendis , legit middleweight
Both Meldish brothers
John DiGilio

Big Lou Fazzini

He is not a wimp, no doubt but tough compared to who? I know Lou, nice guy.
Most mob guys are tough because they have the mob behind them. They are almost like a terrorist group. A navy seal is tough, not so much a mob guy. To say Salvie Testa was tough is absolutely ridiculous.
In Phil Leonetti’s prime, put him on the mat with a college wrestler and he would be destroyed. I never quite understood the tough mobster part,, they are tough in numbers and the fact people wont fight back because they belong to a crew who will hit them in the head with a pipe when their back is turned. ( among other things).
A lot of you guys are way off base when it comes to mobsters being tough. Some are very tough in that they can do time and dont back down. Some of you are mixing that kind of toughness with fighting ability. Two different things and mutually exclusive.

Lenox, to be honest, it's secondhand information. I read it on one of these forums. I apologize if it caused a problem.

gerry pappa was killed because he killed a made guy in the colombo family. chin okayed the hit. one of the shooter got made into the bonanno family armondo rea or something i dont know why that happend like that but it all came up in chins trial cause pete savino was with gerry papa. he was also selling drugs

Yeah he whacked Colombo Capo, Shorty Spero

Gambino associate and Greg DePalma's enforcer, Willie Marshall was a bad ass.

Back in the day Big Lou Fazzini killed a guy in a fistfight with a single punch. That is a fact.

John Perna was a New Jersey All state High School wrestler at Belleville High School and wrestled Division 1 in college at Seton Hall.

He is also fearless, used to rob drug dealers in the hoods of Newark back in the day while attending Seton Hall I have heard from a friend who was in his Frat at Seton Hall.

Johnny Perna gets my vote, I would never fuck with him in a million years.

What mob guy would be tough based on your criteria then?

Carmine Galante always had a reputation for being tough.

I have heard that story, that's why I mentioned him.

That is true 100%. Then again, so did charles manson and i dont know how tough he was.
Lou is a good guy and did his time.

John Alite, cause he says so!

John did you stab Artie Lange? Yes I did.

John did you baseball bat Mike Bocchetti? Yes I did.

John did you penetrate John D Amato anally? Yes I did.