Gianluca Branco

Last updated
Gianluca Branco
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
NationalityItalian
Born (1970-09-20) 20 September 1970 (age 48)
Civitavecchia, Lazio, Italy
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights53
Wins49
Wins by KO24
Losses3
Draws1

Gianluca Branco (born 20 September 1970) is an Italian former professional boxer who competed from 1995 to 2014. He held the European super-lightweight title twice between 2001 and 2009, the European Union welterweight title from 2012 to 2013, the European welterweight title from 2014 to 2016, and challenged twice for a world title in 2004 and 2006. Gianluca is the younger brother of former boxer Silvio Branco.

The European Boxing Union is a pan-European governing body that sanctions championship bouts in professional boxing. The EBU governs the most-prestigious continental title in Europe, the EBU European Championship, in addition to their EBU EU Championship for competitors from within the European Union and the EBU EE Championship for those outside the European Union.

Welterweight is a weight class in combat sports. Originally the term "welterweight" was used only in boxing, but other combat sports like Muay Thai, taekwondo, and mixed martial arts also use it for their own weight division system to classify the opponents. In most sports that use it, welterweight is heavier than lightweight but lighter than middleweight.

Silvio Branco is a professional boxer of Romani origin in the cruiserweight division.

Contents

Professional career

Branco made his professional debut on 7 April 1995, knocking out Aladar Horvath in six rounds. Fighting almost exclusively in his native Italy, he would spend the next nine years undefeated, save for a points draw against Viktor Baranov on 19 October 1998. Branco won his first major regional championship—the vacant European light-welterweight title—on 23 June 2001, with a majority decision victory over Gabriel Mapouka. Two successful defences of the title were made, against George Scott on 17 November 2001 (sixth-round technical decision) and Allan Vester on 9 March 2002 (tenth-round stoppage).


A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, mixed martial arts, karate, some forms of taekwondo and other sports involving striking, as well as fighting-based video games. A full knockout is considered any legal strike or combination thereof that renders an opponent unable to continue fighting.

A points decision is a winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts and others sports involving striking unlike normal decisions where there are three judges that agree on which fighter won the match the fight is scored by the referee, who determines who wins the bout.

A majority decision (MD) is a winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts and others sports involving striking. In a majority decision, two of the three judges agree on which fighter won the match, while the third judge indicates that neither fighter won.

On 24 January 2004, Branco fought for his first world championship—the vacant WBC light-welterweight title—against veteran Arturo Gatti. This was also Branco's first visit to the United States, where Gatti was an established star. Branco started off well, counterpunching the combinations of Gatti, until the latter injured his hand severely by landing a punch on Branco's hip in round five. Gatti then had to rely entirely on his jab to stay out of trouble for the remainder of the fight. By the tenth round, with the fight still close, Gatti turned the tide decisively in his favour when he scored a knockdown against Branco. By the end of twelve rounds, Gatti won a clear unanimous decision (UD) to hand Branco his first loss. [1]

World Boxing Council organization

The World Boxing Council (WBC) is one of four major organizations which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO). Many historically high-profile bouts have been sanctioned by the organization with various legendary fighters having been recognised as WBC World champions. All four organizations recognise the legitimacy of each other, and each have interwoven histories dating back several decades.

Arturo Gatti Italian-Canadian boxer

Arturo Gatti was an Italian Canadian professional boxer who competed from 1991 to 2007. Nicknamed "Thunder," Gatti was known for his heart and bravery in the ring, and also carried formidable punching power.

A counterpunch is a boxing punch that immediately follows an attack launched by an opponent. It exploits the opening created in an opponent's guard.

Branco would receive a second opportunity at a world title on 4 March 2006, this time against WBO light-welterweight champion Miguel Cotto. From the opening round, Branco had no answer for the undefeated superstar, who stopped him in eight rounds. [2] On 16 May 2008, Branco won his second European light-welterweight title. Despite suffering a knockdown in the second round, he went on to claim a split decision over the defending champion Lynes. [3] Branco made one defence, on 19 December 2008, stopping Juho Tolppola in nine hard-fought rounds. [4]

World Boxing Organization organization

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) is a sanctioning organization which recognizes professional boxing world champions. It is recognized by the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) as one of the four major world championship groups, alongside the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Council (WBC), and International Boxing Federation (IBF). The WBO's headquarters are located in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Miguel Cotto Puerto Rican boxer

Miguel Ángel Cotto Vázquez is a Puerto Rican former professional boxer who competed from 2001 to 2017. He is a multiple-time world champion, and the first Puerto Rican boxer to win world titles in four weight classes. In 2007 and 2009, he reached a peak active pound for pound ranking of seventh by The Ring magazine. Cotto started out his career as a hard-hitting pressure fighter, but evolved over the years into a more refined boxer-puncher as he moved up in weight.

A split decision (SD) is a winning criterion in sports, most commonly in full-contact combat sports, in which two of the three judges score one particular competitor as the winner, while the third judge scores for the other competitor.

Having moved up in weight, Branco made his first of two attempts at winning the European welterweight title, on 26 March 2010, but lost a UD to Matthew Hatton. [5] On 10 November 2012, Branco won the vacant European Union welterweight title with a UD over Krzysztof Bienias. Once defence was made, on 22 February 2013, in a UD victory against Lukasz Maciec. On 22 November 2014, Branco succeeded in his second attempt at winning the now-vacant European welterweight title, by forcing Rafał Jackiewicz to retire in his corner after six rounds. [6]

Matthew Hatton British boxer

Matthew James "Matty" Hatton is a British former professional boxer who competed from 2000 to 2013. He held the European welterweight title from 2010 to 2011, and challenged once for the WBC light-middleweight title in the latter year. He is the younger brother of former world champion Ricky Hatton, and fought on the undercard of many of Ricky's high-profile fights.

Rafał Jackiewicz is a Polish professional boxer who fights in welterweight division. He is a former EBU welterweight champion. His professional debut took place on 17 February 2001. Jackiewicz defeated Milan Smetana from Slovakia, winning by points after a four-round bout. His professional record includes 46 fights: 36 wins, 9 losses and 1 draw.

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
53 fights49 wins3 losses
By knockout241
By decision252
Draws1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
53Win49–3–1 Rafał Jackiewicz RTD6 (12), 3:0022 Nov 2014Palazzetto dello Sport, Terracina, ItalyWon vacant European welterweight title
52Win48–3–1Konstantins SakaraUD621 Dec 2013PalaBadminton, Milan, Italy
51Win47–3–1Łukasz MaciecUD1222 Feb 2013Palazzetto dello Sport, Montalto di Castro, ItalyRetained European Union welterweight title
50Win46–3–1Krzysztof BieniasUD1210 Nov 2012Palazzetto dello Sport, Civitavecchia, ItalyWon vacant European Union welterweight title
49Win45–3–1János PetrovicsTKO6 (6), 0:2811 Nov 2011Palazzetto dello Sport, Pontedera, Italy
48Win44–3–1Semjons MoroseksPTS627 Nov 2010Palazzetto dello Sport, Civitavecchia, Italy
47Loss43–3–1 Matthew Hatton UD1226 Mar 2010Goresbrook Leisure Centre, London, EnglandFor vacant European welterweight title
46Win43–2–1János PetrovicsPTS611 Jul 2009 BJK Akatlar Arena, Istanbul, Turkey
45Win42–2–1 Juho Tolppola TKO9 (12)19 Dec 2008PalaLido, Milan, ItalyRetained European light-welterweight title
44Win41–2–1 Colin Lynes SD1216 May 2008 PalaRuffini, Turin, ItalyWon European light-welterweight title
43Win40–2–1Nico SalzmannPTS829 Feb 2008PalaLido, Milan, Italy
42Win39–2–1Laszlo KomjathiTKO4 (6)8 Dec 2007La Palestre, Le Cannet, France
41Win38–2–1Arek MalekPTS631 Jul 2007Centro Polifunzionale, San Genesio ed Uniti, Italy
40Win37–2–1Adam ZadwornyTKO1 (6)8 Oct 2006PalaLido, Milan, Italy
39Loss36–2–1 Miguel Cotto TKO8 (12), 0:494 Mar 2006 Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamón, Puerto RicoFor WBO light-welterweight title
38Win36–1–1Farid El HouariTKO4 (8)22 Jul 2005 Campione d'Italia, Italy
37Win35–1–1Ariel Francisco BurgosTKO6 (8), 2:3512 Mar 2005 Mazda Palace, Milan, Italy
36Win34–1–1Vasile HertegTKO2 (6)24 Jul 2004Civitavecchia, Italy
35Win33–1–1Nasser LakribTKO4 (10)8 May 2004Civitavecchia, Italy
34Loss32–1–1 Arturo Gatti UD1224 Jan 2004 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USFor vacant WBC light-welterweight title
33Win32–0–1Michel RaynaudPTS65 Nov 2002 Villa Erba, Cernobbio, Italy
32Win31–0–1Massimo BertozziPTS613 Sep 2002Hotel Marina Piccola, Puglia, Italy
31Win30–0–1 Allan Vester TKO10 (12)9 Mar 2002 Montecatini Terme, ItalyRetained European light-welterweight title
30Win29–0–1 George Scott TD6 (12)17 Nov 2001Civitavecchia, ItalyRetained European light-welterweight title;
TD after Scott was cut from an accidental head clash
29Win28–0–1Gabriel MapoukaMD1223 Jun 2001 Massy, FranceWon vacant European light-welterweight title
28Win27–0–1Frederic TrippPTS617 Feb 2001 Padua, Italy
27Win26–0–1Adejoussi AdewaleUD622 Dec 2000 Monfalcone, Italy
26Win25–0–1Slobodan VlaovicPTS617 Jun 2000 Bovezzo, Italy
25Win24–0–1Slobodan VlaovicUD618 Mar 2000Ferrara, Italy
24Win23–0–1Francesco CioffiPTS63 Dec 1999 Milan, Italy
23Win22–0–1Gheorghe ParaschivTKO216 Oct 1999 Bondeno, Italy
22Win21–0–1Horia DobreTKO1 (6)7 Aug 1999Civitavecchia, Italy
21Win20–0–1Francesco CioffiUD624 Apr 1999 Ferrara, Italy
20Win19–0–1Nassim YahiaouiPTS618 Dec 1998 Brindisi, Italy
19Draw18–0–1Viktor BaranovPTS819 Oct 1998 Bari, Italy
18Win18–0Andile NongazaTKO4 (6)28 Jul 1998Civitavecchia, Italy
17Win17–0Massimo BertozziPTS109 May 1998 Aulla, ItalyRetained Italy light-welterweight title
16Win16–0Elyes MahdjoubUD826 Feb 1998Civitavecchia, Italy
15Win15–0Elyes MahdjoubPTS629 Nov 1997 Novara, Italy
14Win14–0Antonio StrabelloKO6 (10)28 Aug 1997Forte Michelangelo, Civitavecchia, ItalyRetained Italy light-welterweight title
13Win13–0Francesco CioffiPTS1030 May 1997 Castellammare di Stabia, ItalyWon vacant Italy light-welterweight title
12Win12–0Lajos NagyTKO4 (12)13 Feb 1997Palazzetto dello Sport, Civitavecchia, ItalyWon vacant WBU Intercontinental light-welterweight title
11Win11–0Abderzek Oulad LaarbiTKO1 (6)28 Dec 1996 Castel Mella, Italy
10Win10–0Angel FernandezTKO1 (6)12 Dec 1996Palazzetto dello Sport, Civitavecchia, Italy
9Win9–0Janos ZsirosTKO1 (6)8 Aug 1996Town Square, San Mango d'Aquino, Italy
8Win8–0Rene OrlovskyTKO4 (6)2 May 1996Palazzetto dello Sport, Civitavecchia, Italy
7Win7–0Rene OrlovskyTKO4 (6)20 Jan 1996Palasport, Marsala, Italy
6Win6–0Hamit RiahiPTS64 Jan 1996Civitavecchia, Italy
5Win5–0Fabio MarinoniPTS627 Sep 1995 Petrosino, Italy
4Win4–0Mario SpadaroTKO5 (6)5 Aug 1995 Tatti, Italy
3Win3–0Maurizio BonitoKO4 (6)26 Jun 1995 Cinigiano, Italy
2Win2–0Mauro BarigelliKO3 (6)3 Jun 1995 Civitavecchia, Italy
1Win1–0Aladar HorvathKO6 (6)7 Apr 1995 Rome, Italy

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References

  1. ↑ Associated Press (25 January 2004). "Gatti overcomes hand injury, beats Branco". ESPN. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  2. ↑ Zayas, Pedro (5 March 2006). "Cotto stops Branco, retains WBO junior welterweight title". USA Today . Gannett Company. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  3. ↑ "Branco claims Lynes' belt". Sky Sports . Sky. 16 May 2008. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  4. ↑ Schmidt, Erik (22 December 2008). "Branco Stops Tolppola". Boxing News 24. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  5. ↑ Mitchell, Kevin (27 March 2010). "Matthew Hatton beats Gianluca Branco to win European welterweight title". The Guardian . Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  6. ↑ Furman, Luke (22 November 2014). "Branco Stops Jackiewicz To Capture EBU Crown". BoxingScene. Retrieved 28 April 2016.

BoxRec or boxrec.com is a website dedicated to holding updated records of professional boxers, both male and female. It also maintains a MediaWiki-based encyclopaedia of boxing.

Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Michele Piccirillo 		Italy light-welterweight champion
30 May 1997 – September 1999
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Christian Giantomassi
Vacant
Title last held by
Oktay Urkal 		European
light-welterweight champion
23 June 2001 – September 2002
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Oktay Urkal
Preceded by
Colin Lynes 		European
light-welterweight champion
16 May 2008 – July 2009
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Souleymane M'baye
Vacant
Title last held by
Rafał Jackiewicz 		European Union
welterweight champion
10 November 2012 – October 2013
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Ceferino Rodriguez
Vacant
Title last held by
Leonard Bundu 		European
welterweight champion
22 November 2014 – April 2016
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Leonard Bundu
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