Francesco Damiani was born on 4 October 1958 and is an Italian former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 1993.
10 Facts About Francesco Damiani
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2.
Francesco Damiani 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.
3.
Francesco Damiani participated at 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, where he lost to the eventual silver medalist Piotr Zaev in the quarter-finals.
4.
Francesco Damiani was the Italian boxing team coach for the London 2012 Summer Olympics.
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Francesco Damiani began his professional career on a tear, with 27 consecutive victories over limited opposition.
6.
Francesco Damiani 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.
7.
Francesco Damiani hit a brick wall when he took on 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist Ray Mercer in 1991 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
8.
Francesco 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.
9.
Francesco 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.
10.
The winner would fight Tyson, however Francesco Damiani lost his fight with Ray Mercer before the Snipes bout and that put him out of the picture for a major fight.