Well Monya Elson was himself almost killed by the Italians until Danny Pagano stepped in and saved his life, so I don't know how much his opinion is worth. Until the LCN got hammered badly by the feds in the early-to-mid 90s the Russians were always junior partner to the Italians.

Black street gangs not respecting the mob seems a little farfetched considering their tendency to flock by the dozens to anyone who has any semblance of "rep" on the street.

Guys like Wild Bill Cutolo, Scarpa, Vinny Basciano, Gaspipe, Gotti, Gravano, Joey Merlino etc, could have had themselves an army of gangbangers if they went on a recruitment drive. Why the fuck would they do that though?