TWO weight world champion Nino Benvenuti has passed away, at the age of 87. Nino last boxed in 1971, exiting the professional code with an 82-7-1 (35 KOs) record and a wealth of achievements to his name.
Born in a region that is now part of Slovenia, but then part of the Kingdom of Italy, Benvenuti picked up welterweight gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics defeating Liverpool’s Jim Lloyd along the way. His professional journey started in 1961 and lasted 10 years, across 90 contests and 707 rounds.
Benvenuti’s lengthy run of success included two wins over Emile Griffith for the WBA and WBC middleweight titles. A defeat to the same fighter was sandwiched in between as they shared the ring in an incredible trilogy that Benvenuti got the upper hand in.
In 1970, Benvenuti went toe-to-toe with Argentine star Carlos Monzon, surrendering his titles by 12th-round stoppage in one of the best fights of the year. Two fights later, with his punch resistance all but gone, Benvenuti boxed for the final time, losing to Monzon in round three of their rematch.
He never boxed again and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992. Back in the 1960 Olympic Games Nino picked up the Val Barker trophy for best boxer. After retiring from the ring he dabbled in acting and worked as a television presenter.
Tributes have been pouring in from across the boxing world.
