The Italian sports world mourns the loss of Nino Benvenuti, a giant of the "noble art," who passed away today at the age of 87.
His name is inextricably linked to one of the most epic nights in national sporting history: that 17th April 1967, when his victory over Emil Griffith for the world middleweight title kept millions of Italians glued to the radio, an event recounted with passion by the unmistakable voice of Paolo Valenti.
Born in Isola d'Istria on April 26, 1938, into a family of exiles, Benvenuti was the natural heir to the myth of Primo Carnera, elevating Italian boxing to heights never reached before. His career was a succession of triumphs: from the Olympic gold in the welterweight division at the 1960 Rome Olympics, where he also won the prestigious 'Val Barker' cup as the best technical boxer of the tournament, even beating a young Cassius Clay, to his successes as a professional.
He was the World Super Welterweight Champion (1965-1966), the European Middleweight Champion (1965-1967) and, above all, the World Middleweight Champion (1967-1970). The only Italian boxer to have held the world title in two weight categories (middleweight and super welterweight), Benvenuti stood out for his impeccable technique, precision and speed, qualities that allowed him to remain at the top well into his thirties, a feat for the time.
The clashes with Emile Griffith and then with Carlos Monzon
In 1968, he received the prestigious “Fighter of the Year” award, the only Italian to receive such recognition. His battles in the ring have become legendary, especially the trilogy against the American Emile Griffith, with two victories at Madison Square Garden that made millions of fans dream.
Also memorable were his challenges against the Argentine Carlos Monzón, which marked the final chapters of his extraordinary career, culminating with the KO he suffered in Monte Carlo on 8 May 1971, his last match as a professional.
The all-Italian rivalry with Sandro Mazzinghi, who divided the country like Coppi and Bartali, is another fundamental piece of his legend. If Benvenuti was the blond and elegant idol, Mazzinghi represented the boxer "who came from the streets". A heated rivalry that was able to evolve, culminating in a peace sealed after fifty years.
Recognized by the International Boxing Hall of Fame (1999) as one of the greatest boxers of all time, and also present in the National Italian-American Sport Hall of Fame, Nino Benvenuti was an icon that transcended sport, an example of determination and class.
I am so sorry for the death of Nino Benvenuti, he was a great sportsman and did a lot for boxing in Italy. His career was truly impressive and will leave a mark in the hearts of the fans.