Naples, international boxing in Piazza Garibaldi: Italy-England lights up the Cavea

Napoli – Piazza Garibaldi once again pulsates with energy and participation thanks to international boxing. On Wednesday 2 July, the Cavea in the centre of the square hosted the show-match between young Italian and British boxers, transforming one of the most symbolic and busiest places in the city into an open-air sports arena for one evening.

The event, promoted by the Municipality of Naples and the Kodokan sports association in collaboration with the FS Group and the Italian Boxing Federation, is part of the “La Bella Piazza” project, created to regenerate the northern area of ​​Piazza Garibaldi through an innovative public-private co-management model.

Sports, culture, social inclusion and active citizenship are the pillars of the initiative, which since last October has been bringing life and participation to an often forgotten area.

"An international event in the heart of Naples, among the people, which represents an educational and social opportunity for many young people", underlined the Councilor for Sport and Equal Opportunities, Emanuela Ferrante.

"Boxing transmits fundamental values ​​such as discipline, respect and management of emotions. Naples will be the European Capital of Sport in 2026 and we want every initiative, especially in symbolic places such as Piazza Garibaldi, contributes to building a model of sustainable and inclusive development through sport".

Mariola Grodzka of the Dedalus Cooperative, leader of the “La Bella Piazza” project, was also satisfied: «This meeting is the first step towards a stable sports program inside the Cavea. We want this space to be experienced daily by citizens, not just crossed. Boxing is a starting point».

For Peppe Marmo, owner of Kodokan, "choosing Piazza Garibaldi for an international event is a declaration of intent: Naples deserves high-level sports shows in its most emblematic places. The Cavea has been transformed into a true urban arena, where sport and landscape merge into a unique experience."

Not just a match between nations, therefore, but also a strong signal of urban rebirth: boxing as a tool for aggregation, enhancement of the territory and driving force of a new centrality for Piazza Garibaldi.