Francesco Damiani

Last updated
Francesco Damiani
Born (1958-10-04) 4 October 1958 (age 66)
NationalityItalian
Statistics
Weight(s) Heavyweight
Height1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights32
Wins30
Wins by KO24
Losses2
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
Olympic Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1984 Los Angeles Super-heavyweight
World Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1982 Munich Super-heavyweight
European Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1981 Tampere Super-heavyweight
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1983 Varna Super-heavyweight
Mediterranean Games
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1979 Split Heavyweight

Francesco Damiani (born 4 October 1958) is an Italian former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 1993. He was the first WBO heavyweight champion, having held the title from 1989 to 1991, as well as the European heavyweight title from 1987 to 1989. As an amateur he won silver medals in the super-heavyweight division at the 1982 World Championships and 1984 Summer Olympics.

Contents

Amateur career

He participated at 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, where he lost to the eventual silver medalist Piotr Zaev in the quarter-finals. The following year he won the European Amateur Championships in Tampere. At the 1982 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Munich, he beat the legendary Teofilo Stevenson but lost to Tyrell Biggs in the final. In 1983 in Varna he became European champion for the second time, beating Ulli Kaden. He was ranked world's #1 super heavyweight by the AIBA in 1984 (ahead of Tyrell Biggs, who was ranked #2. [1] ) At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles he again lost to Biggs in the final, despite Biggs' home crowd booing at the judges decision who believed Damiani won the contest (since he threw more punches and was moving forward for most of the contest) which led to the leading BBC boxing commentator Harry Carpenter, who was commentating for the BBC sport Olympic coverage, to say that "..it was the worst boxing decision in all my years of boxing commentating". Francesco Damiani was the Italian boxing team coach for the London 2012 Summer Olympics. [2]

Olympic results

1980:

1984:

Professional career

Damiani began his professional career on a tear, with 27 consecutive victories. He defeated Tyrell Biggs in a rematch of their Olympic meeting, stopping him on a cut, and then won the newly created WBO Heavyweight title with a 3rd-round KO victory over Johnny DuPlooy on 6 May 1989. Damiani hit a brick wall when he took on 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist Ray Mercer in 1991 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Damiani was ahead on points but went down after a Mercer left uppercut broke his nose, and he was counted out by the referee in the 9th round.

In 1991, he had been chosen to face Evander Holyfield for the undisputed heavyweight championship, but an injury prevented him from getting into the ring.

Damiani would come back in 1992 to take a decision over former champion Greg Page, but quit in the 8th round of the following bout versus Oliver McCall in 1993, ending his career.

In 1993 former mobster Sammy Gravano testified under oath that in the late 80s he attempted to arrange a fixed fight between Damiani, who Gravano alleged was associated with an organized crime family in Italy, and Renaldo Snipes.[ citation needed ] The winner (Damiani) would fight Tyson, however Damiani lost his fight with Ray Mercer before the Snipes bout and that put him out of the picture for a major fight.[ citation needed ]

Professional boxing record

32 fights30 wins2 losses
By knockout242
By decision60
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
32Loss30–2 Flag of the United States.svg Oliver McCall TKO8 (10), 1:0923 Apr 1993 Flag of the United States.svg The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee, US
31Win30–1 Flag of the United States.svg Greg Page UD10 12 Sep 1992 Flag of the United States.svg Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, US
30Win29–1 Flag of the United States.svg Michael GreerKO1 (10), 3:0022 Apr 1992 Flag of the United States.svg Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US
29Win28–1 Flag of the United States.svg Frankie SwindellPTS87 Mar 1992 Flag of Italy.svg Fano, Italy
28Loss27–1 Flag of the United States.svg Ray Mercer KO9 (12), 2:4711 Jan 1991 Flag of the United States.svg Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USLost WBO heavyweight title
27Win27–0 Flag of the United States.svg Everett MartinKO220 Oct 1990 Flag of Italy.svg Carisport, Cesena, Italy
26Win26–0 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Tony MorrisonKO3 (10)2 Jun 1990 Flag of Italy.svg Godiasco, Italy
25Win25–0 Flag of Argentina.svg Daniel Eduardo NetoTKO2 (12)16 Dec 1989 Flag of Italy.svg Carisport, Cesena, ItalyRetained WBO heavyweight title
24Win24–0 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Johnny du Plooy KO3 (12), 1:486 May 1989 Flag of Italy.svg Stadio Nicola De Simone, Syracuse, ItalyWon inaugural WBO heavyweight title
23Win23–0 Flag of Germany.svg Manfred JassmannKO3 (12)17 Dec 1988 Flag of Italy.svg Sassari, ItalyRetained European heavyweight title
22Win22–0 Flag of the United States.svg Tyrell Biggs TKO5 (10), 1:0629 Oct 1988 Flag of Italy.svg Palatrussardi, Milan, Italy
21Win21–0 Flag of the Netherlands.svg John EmmenTKO3 (12)22 Apr 1988 Flag of Italy.svg Palatrussardi, Milan, ItalyRetained European heavyweight title
20Win20–0 Flag of the United States.svg Dorcey GaymonTKO4 (10) 22 Jan 1988 Flag of the United States.svg Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
19Win19–0 Flag of Sweden.svg Anders Eklund KO6 (12), 2:409 Oct 1987 Flag of Italy.svg Aosta, ItalyWon European heavyweight title
18Win18–0 Flag of the United States.svg Eddie RichardsonPTS1011 Jul 1987 Flag of Italy.svg Corsico, Italy
17Win17–0 Flag of the United States.svg James Broad UD1011 Apr 1987 Flag of Italy.svg PalaDozza, Bologna, Italy
16Win16–0 Flag of the United States.svg Eddie GreggTKO1 (12)14 Feb 1987 Flag of Italy.svg Lucca, ItalyWon vacant WBC International heavyweight title
15Win15–0 Flag of the United States.svg Rodney SmithTKO219 Dec 1986 Flag of Italy.svg Ancona, Italy
14Win14–0 Flag of the United States.svg Kevin P PorterTKO514 Nov 1986 Flag of Italy.svg San Giuseppe Vesuviano, Italy
13Win13–0 Flag of the United States.svg Rocky Sekorski PTS1019 Sep 1986 Flag of Italy.svg Lerici, Italy
12Win12–0 Flag of the United States.svg Donnie LongKO24 Jul 1986 Flag of Italy.svg Porlezza, Italy
11Win11–0 Flag of the United States.svg Danny SuttonTKO730 May 1986 Flag of Italy.svg Abano Terme, Italy
10Win10–0 Flag of the United States.svg Mike PerkinsTKO5 (8)2 Apr 1986 Flag of the United States.svg Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, US
9Win9–0 Flag of the United States.svg Tom TrimmKO214 Feb 1986 Flag of Italy.svg Milan, Italy
8Win8–0 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby CrabtreeTKO631 Jan 1986 Flag of Italy.svg Abbiategrasso, Italy
7Win7–0 Flag of Spain.svg Felipe RodriguezTKO528 Sep 1985 Flag of Italy.svg Sassari, Italy
6Win6–0 Flag of the United States.svg Rick KellarTKO1 (6), 1:2613 Jul 1985 Flag of the United States.svg Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
5Win5–0 Flag of the United States.svg Walter SantemorePTS629 Jun 1985 Flag of Italy.svg Bellaria, Italy
4Win4–0 Flag of the United States.svg Larry RobersonTKO1, 2:4717 May 1985 Flag of the United States.svg Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, US
3Win3–0 Flag of Luxembourg.svg Dragomir Milo PopovicTKO620 Apr 1985 Flag of Italy.svg Ceriale, Italy
2Win2–0 Flag of Germany.svg George ButzbachTKO28 Mar 1985 Flag of Italy.svg Modena, Italy
1Win1–0 Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg Allou GobeTKO35 Jan 1985 Flag of Italy.svg PalaEvangelisti, Perugia, Italy

References

  1. Boxing Ratings; NEWLN:International Amateur Boxing Assoc.-World champion. a-U.S. titlist. UPI, February 27, 1984.
  2. "Francesco Damiani Pictures – Casa Italia at London 2012 Olympic Games". Zimbio. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
New title WBC International
heavyweight champion

14 February 1987 – October 1987
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Jimmy Thunder
Preceded by European heavyweight champion
9 October 1987 – May 1989
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Derek Williams
World boxing titles
Inaugural champion WBO heavyweight champion
6 May 1989 – 11 January 1991
Succeeded by