Francesco Damiani

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.

Francesco Damiani
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
NationalityItalian
Born (1958-10-04) 4 October 1958
Bagnacavallo,
Emilia-Romagna, Italy
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights32
Wins30
Wins by KO24
Losses2
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  Italy
Olympic Games
1984 Los Angeles Super-heavyweight
World Championships
1982 Munich Super-heavyweight
European Championships
1981 Tampere Super-heavyweight
1983 Varna Super-heavyweight
Mediterranean Games
1979 Split Heavyweight

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 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:

  • Round of 16: Defeated Teodor Pîrjol (Romania) 4-1
  • Quarterfinal: Lost to Piotr Zaev (Soviet Union) 0-5

1984:

Professional career

Damiani began his professional career on a tear, with 27 consecutive victories over limited opposition. 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.

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
32 fights 30 wins 2 losses
By knockout 24 2
By decision 6 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
32 Loss 30–2 Oliver McCall TKO 8 (10), 1:09 23 Apr 1993 The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee, US
31 Win 30–1 Greg Page UD 10 12 Sep 1992 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, US
30 Win 29–1 Michael Greer KO 1 (10), 3:00 22 Apr 1992 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US
29 Win 28–1 Frankie Swindell PTS 8 7 Mar 1992 Fano, Italy
28 Loss 27–1 Ray Mercer KO 9 (12), 2:47 11 Jan 1991 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US Lost WBO heavyweight title
27 Win 27–0 Everett Martin KO 2 20 Oct 1990 Carisport, Cesena, Italy
26 Win 26–0 Tony Morrison KO 3 (10) 2 Jun 1990 Godiasco, Italy
25 Win 25–0 Daniel Eduardo Neto TKO 2 (12) 16 Dec 1989 Carisport, Cesena, Italy Retained WBO heavyweight title
24 Win 24–0 Johnny du Plooy KO 3 (12), 1:48 6 May 1989 Stadio Nicola De Simone, Syracuse, Italy Won inaugural WBO heavyweight title
23 Win 23–0 Manfred Jassmann KO 3 (12) 17 Dec 1988 Sassari, Italy Retained European heavyweight title
22 Win 22–0 Tyrell Biggs TKO 5 (10), 1:06 29 Oct 1988 Palatrussardi, Milan, Italy
21 Win 21–0 John Emmen TKO 3 (12) 22 Apr 1988 Palatrussardi, Milan, Italy Retained European heavyweight title
20 Win 20–0 Dorcey Gaymon TKO 4 (10) 22 Jan 1988 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
19 Win 19–0 Anders Eklund KO 6 (12), 2:40 9 Oct 1987 Aosta, Italy Won European heavyweight title
18 Win 18–0 Eddie Richardson PTS 10 11 Jul 1987 Corsico, Italy
17 Win 17–0 James Broad UD 10 11 Apr 1987 PalaDozza, Bologna, Italy
16 Win 16–0 Eddie Gregg TKO 1 (12) 14 Feb 1987 Lucca, Italy Won vacant WBC International heavyweight title
15 Win 15–0 Rodney Smith TKO 2 19 Dec 1986 Ancona, Italy
14 Win 14–0 Kevin P Porter TKO 5 14 Nov 1986 San Giuseppe Vesuviano, Italy
13 Win 13–0 Rocky Sekorski PTS 10 19 Sep 1986 Lerici, Italy
12 Win 12–0 Donnie Long KO 2 4 Jul 1986 Porlezza, Italy
11 Win 11–0 Danny Sutton TKO 7 30 May 1986 Abano Terme, Italy
10 Win 10–0 Mike Perkins TKO 5 (8) 2 Apr 1986 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, US
9 Win 9–0 Tom Trimm KO 2 14 Feb 1986 Milan, Italy
8 Win 8–0 Bobby Crabtree TKO 6 31 Jan 1986 Abbiategrasso, Italy
7 Win 7–0 Felipe Rodriguez TKO 5 28 Sep 1985 Sassari, Italy
6 Win 6–0 Rick Kellar TKO 1 (6), 1:26 13 Jul 1985 Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
5 Win 5–0 Walter Santemore PTS 6 29 Jun 1985 Bellaria, Italy
4 Win 4–0 Larry Roberson TKO 1, 2:47 17 May 1985 Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, US
3 Win 3–0 Dragomir Milo Popovic TKO 6 20 Apr 1985 Ceriale, Italy
2 Win 2–0 George Butzbach TKO 2 8 Mar 1985 Modena, Italy
1 Win 1–0 Allou Gobe TKO 3 5 Jan 1985 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
Anders Eklund		 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
Ray Mercer
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