Greatest Italian American Heavyweights Since 1960

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Seamus, May 22, 2026.

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  1. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Baby Joe Mesi
    Dino Dennis

    uh....

    Frank Bruno?
     
    Seamus, May 22, 2026
    #1
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  2. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    Bruno. ...Dennis isn't even an Italian surname.
     
    Boxed Ears, May 22, 2026
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  3. The Long Count

    The Long Count Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    No Lou Savarese
     
    The Long Count, May 22, 2026
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  4. MixedMartialLaw

    MixedMartialLaw Combat sports enthusiast Full Member

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    Peter McNeeley.
     
    MixedMartialLaw, May 22, 2026
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  5. AwardedSteak863

    AwardedSteak863 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Italian American it's Joe Messi.
    Italian it's Francesco Damiani.

    Messi was a bit undersized but he had really fast hands for a heavyweight and was a pretty likeable guy with an entertaining style.

    Damiani was a solid fighter. He got absolutely robbed in the 84' Olympics but avenged his loss to Tyrell Briggs in the pros. The only men to beat him were prime Ray Mercer and prime Oliver McCall. Silver medal Olympian and WBO championship is not a bad career.
     
    AwardedSteak863, May 22, 2026
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  6. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

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    Wouldn't that be French?
     
    catchwtboxing, May 22, 2026
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  7. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

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    Irish!
     
    catchwtboxing, May 22, 2026
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  8. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Willie Pastrano had some nice wins at HW….Baby Joe…what could have been.
     
    Gazelle Punch, May 22, 2026
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  9. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

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    I know neither are American but if we are throwing Italian names,

    Lorenzo Zanon
    Oscar Bonevena
     
    catchwtboxing, May 22, 2026
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  10. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

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    Half Italian, mother was cajun.
     
    catchwtboxing, May 22, 2026
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  11. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    He was born in Italy and moved to The US of A.
     
    Seamus, May 22, 2026
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  12. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Zanon was Italian Italian. No American.

    Bonavena was Argentine. There were a few of those of Italian descent, but they were not IROC driving, wifebeater wearing, proscut n capicole eatin' Americans.
     
    Seamus, May 22, 2026
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  13. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic War for Souls Full Member

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    Probably Francesco Damiani. The first WBO champion, in the era when the WBO was not a recognized belt (like the WBO was not a recognized belt when Morrison beat Foreman).
     
    ikrasevic, May 22, 2026
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  14. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Savarese is very much Italian American. It's how you pronounce it... sa-va-RASE-aye.
     
    Seamus, May 22, 2026
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  15. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

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    That's what Is said, but I saw Damiani thrown out there.

    What the hell happens on that boatride?

    This content is protected
     
    catchwtboxing, May 22, 2026
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