Francesco Damiani


Francesco Damiani 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.

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 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 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.

Olympic results

1980:
1984:
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

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
32Loss30–2 Oliver McCallTKO8, 1:0923 Apr 1993 The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee, US
31Win30–1 Greg PageUD1012 Sep 1992 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, US
30Win29–1 Michael GreerKO1, 3:0022 Apr 1992 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US
29Win28–1 Frankie SwindellPTS87 Mar 1992 Fano, Italy
28Loss27–1 Ray MercerKO9, 2:4711 Jan 1991 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USLost WBO heavyweight title
27Win27–0 Everett MartinKO220 Oct 1990 Carisport, Cesena, Italy
26Win26–0 Tony MorrisonKO3 2 Jun 1990 Godiasco, Italy
25Win25–0 Daniel Eduardo NetoTKO2 16 Dec 1989 Carisport, Cesena, ItalyRetained WBO heavyweight title
24Win24–0 Johnny du PlooyKO3, 1:486 May 1989 Stadio Nicola De Simone, Syracuse, ItalyWon inaugural WBO heavyweight title
23Win23–0 Manfred JassmannKO3 17 Dec 1988 Sassari, ItalyRetained European heavyweight title
22Win22–0 Tyrell BiggsTKO5, 1:0629 Oct 1988 Palatrussardi, Milan, Italy
21Win21–0 John EmmenTKO3 22 Apr 1988 Palatrussardi, Milan, ItalyRetained European heavyweight title
20Win20–0 Dorcey GaymonTKO4 22 Jan 1988 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
19Win19–0 Anders EklundKO6, 2:409 Oct 1987 Aosta, ItalyWon European heavyweight title
18Win18–0 Eddie RichardsonPTS1011 Jul 1987 Corsico, Italy
17Win17–0 James Broad1011 Apr 1987 PalaDozza, Bologna, Italy
16Win16–0 Eddie GreggTKO1 14 Feb 1987 Lucca, ItalyWon vacant WBC International heavyweight title
15Win15–0 Rodney SmithTKO219 Dec 1986 Ancona, Italy
14Win14–0 Kevin P PorterTKO514 Nov 1986 San Giuseppe Vesuviano, Italy
13Win13–0 Rocky SekorskiPTS1019 Sep 1986 Lerici, Italy
12Win12–0 Donnie LongKO24 Jul 1986 Porlezza, Italy
11Win11–0 Danny SuttonTKO730 May 1986 Abano Terme, Italy
10Win10–0 Mike PerkinsTKO5 2 Apr 1986 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, US
9Win9–0 Tom Trimm214 Feb 1986 Milan, Italy
8Win8–0 Bobby CrabtreeTKO631 Jan 1986 Abbiategrasso, Italy
7Win7–0 Felipe RodriguezTKO528 Sep 1985 Sassari, Italy
6Win6–0 Rick KellarTKO1, 1:2613 Jul 1985 Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
5Win5–0 Walter Santemore629 Jun 1985 Bellaria, Italy
4Win4–0 Larry RobersonTKO1, 2:4717 May 1985 Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, US
3Win3–0 Dragomir Milo PopovicTKO620 Apr 1985 Ceriale, Italy
2Win2–0 George ButzbachTKO28 Mar 1985 Modena, Italy
1Win1–0 Allou Gobe35 Jan 1985 PalaEvangelisti, Perugia, Italy