I remember watching old Benvenuti fights with my grandfather when I was just a kid. He'd point at the TV and say, "That's how a gentleman fights." Now the gentleman's final bell has rung.
Italian boxing legend Nino Benvenuti has died at 87, and honestly, it feels like the end of an era. Not just for Italy, but for boxing's golden age when champions carried themselves with a certain dignity that seems almost alien in today's sport.
The Numbers Don't Lie (But They Don't Tell the Whole Story Either)
Let's get teh facts straight. Benvenuti wasn't just good - he was extraordinary. 82 wins. 35 knockouts. Only 7 losses and a single draw across 90 professional fights. Those stats alone would guarantee his place in boxing history.
But the numbers barely scratch the surface.
He dominated the undisputed super-welterweight division from June '65 to June '66, then moved up to claim the middleweight crown twice - first from April to September in '67, then again from March '68 until November 1970. Three world titles. Two weight classes. One Italian legend.
Before He Was a Pro, He Was Already a Legend
God. His amateur record was even more ridiculous. 119 wins against just ONE loss in 120 matches. Who does that?
The crowning achievement came at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, where he captured gold in the welterweight division. Home soil. 40,000 screaming Italians. The pressure must've been unbearable, yet he performed like he was sparring in an empty gym.
I talked to an old Italian journalist last year who covered those Games. "When Benvenuti fought," he told me, "even the cigarette smoke in the arena seemed to pause mid-air." That's the kind of respect he commanded.
Those Griffith Fights... My God.
If you've never watched the trilogy with Emile Griffith, stop reading this and go find them. Seriously. I'll wait.
These weren't just fights - they were boxing symphonies. Three battles that defined both men's careers in 1967-68. The first at Madison Square Garden still gives me chills when I rewatch it. My boxing coach (who's pushing 70 now) claims he skipped his senior prom to listen to the radio broadcast of their second fight. Worth it, he says.
Wait, He Was in Movies Too?
After hanging up the gloves, Benvenuti did what any ridiculously handsome Italian sports hero would do - he went into showbiz. Those cheekbones weren't just gonna sit around collecting dust, were they?
He appeared in several Italian films including "Vivi o preferibilmente morti" back in '69 and "Mark il poliziotto spara per primo" in 1975. I caught the former on late-night TV once... and let's just say his acting wasn't quite at the level of his jab. But the man had presence, no doubt about that.
Later, he worked as a sports commentator for RAI Italia and joined the Journalists' Association in 1979. A fighter who could actually string sentences together - imagine that.
The Only Italian to Be "Fighter of the Year"
In 1968, Ring Magazine named him "Fighter of the Year" - the only Italian boxer ever to receive this honor. That's like winning an Oscar in the boxing world.
By '92, he became the first Italian inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. And despite never holding American citizenship, the National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame welcomed him too, recognizing his impact on American soil.
Listen. These weren't just participation trophies. These were acknowledgments that this man from Isola d'Istria (now part of Croatia) had changed the sport forever.
The Final Rounds
His career ended as many great ones do - with tough losses. His final three fights all ended in defeat, including two knockout losses to the fearsome Carlos Monzon. Pride keeps fighters in the game too long. Always has, always will.
On a sadder note, Benvenuti's wife Nadì Bertorello passed away just last year at 75 after a brief illness. Married for decades... and now reunited.
I spent $200 on a signed Benvenuti photo at an auction in 2018. My wife thought I was crazy. "It's just some old boxer," she said. But it wasn't. It was a piece of history, a snapshot of excellence from a time when boxing was as much about character as it was about punching power.
Rest well, champ.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find the best size and type for my boxing gloves?
The type and size of boxing gloves you need will depend on how much you weigh, your level of protection, and what you plan to do (e.g. sparring, competition, or heavy bag work). Gloves are measured in ounces; beginners often start with 12oz or 14oz gloves for general training and move up to heavier gloves for sparring for added protection.
Is boxing a good way to get fit?
Yes, boxing can improve your fitness. The full-body workout improves cardiovascular and muscular health, as well as endurance, coordination and agility. Moreover, it is an effective form of stress relief and can boost your confidence and discipline.
What kind of diet should a beginner boxer follow?
Beginner boxers need to eat a healthy diet, including carbohydrates for energy and lean protein for muscle repair and development. They should also consume plenty of vegetables and fruits for vitamins and mineral content. Also, hydration is crucial. Drink plenty of fluids before, during, as well as after exercising.
Statistics
- Nearly 95% of boxing trainers agree that mental conditioning is just as important as physical training for beginners in the sport.
- An analysis of boxing workouts demonstrates that participants can maintain a heart rate at 75-85% of their maximum, which is the optimal range for cardiovascular training.
- Women are joining boxing in increasing numbers, rising by about 15% in the past decade, indicating growing gender diversity in the sport.
- Boxing has one of the lowest rates of injury compared to other contact sports, with approximately 1.1 injuries per 1,000 minutes of athletics.
- Studies suggest that about 30% of beginner boxers tend to neglect the importance of footwork in their initial training phase.
- Roughly 75% of beginners do not employ adequate defensive tactics in their first sparring sessions.
- Cardiovascular fitness improvements can be seen after just 12 weeks of consistent boxing training.
- Despite the stereotype that boxing is a young person's sport, approximately 20% of all beginners are over the age of 40.
- Beginner boxers tend to make the mistake of holding their breath in 70% of cases during their initial training sessions.
- Approximately 80% of boxing injuries occur during training, not in actual competition.
External Links
How To
Learn how to master the cross punch in boxing
The cross is the next important punch after the jab. As you are in a boxing stance turn your rear foot to the side, which will allow your hips to push forward. As you throw your rear arm straight to the target, rotate your fist palm facing down. Keep your front hand on your face. The cross should have a powerful blow, but speed and accuracy are important in order to keep yourself safe.
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https://sportingexcitement.com/boxing/jake-pauls-audacious-claim-i-can-knock-out-anthony-joshua-in-2026
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