Francesco Damiani

Francesco Damiani (born October 4, 1958 in Bagnacavallo) was an Italian boxer who at age 25 won the Super Heavyweight Silver medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. He was the first WBO heavyweight champion.

Amateur

1981 in Tampere und 1983 in Warna he became European champion beating Ulli Kaden.At the 1982 World Amateur Boxing Championships he beat Teofilo Stevenson but lost to Tyrell Biggs in the Final.At the Olympics 1984 he again lost to Biggs in the Final .

Olympic results

1980
*Defeated Teodor Pîrjol (Romania) 4-1
*Lost to Piotr Zaev (Soviet Union) 0-5

1984
*1st round bye
*Defeated Willie Isangura (Tanzania) RSC 2
*Defeated Robert Wells (Great Britain) RSC 3
*Lost to Tyrell Biggs (United States) 1-4

Pro

Damiani began his pro 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 May 6, 1989. Damiani hit a brick wall when he took on 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist Ray Mercer in 1991 in Atlantic City, NJ. Damiani was winning but went down after a Mercer left uppercut broke his nose, and he was counted out by the referee in the 9th round.

Damiani would come back in 1992 to take a decision over former champion Greg Page, but was KO'd in the following bout in 1993 by Oliver McCall, ending his career.

ee also

* List of heavyweight boxing champions

External links

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