Francesco Damiani

By the time Damiani was within contention distance, Tyson was already committed by contract to fight other guys. Then the loss to Douglas happened and that was that... the other problem is that Francesco wasn't known by too many people on an international level. I had only heard of him because his name was listed in ring magazine but didn't see him fight until he met Ray Mercer in 1991. And also the WBO was a newly formed body and apparently there were some conflicts with placing WBO holders against other champions, though I don't know the complete story there.

 

He was slated to fight Holyfield but lost his chance due to an ankle injury. Coper filled in.

 

Francesco Damiani was a pretty good heavyweight.

There was some talk of him fighting Tyson as early as 1987, and certainly in 1988 and 1989. One of the reasons it didn't happen, I believe, was because Damiani didn't really feel he could win. There are other factors too, the fact of being non-American and having an American audience completely unfamilar did matter in those days. But I do seem to recall Damiani didn't express an awful lot of interest when the subject was brought up.

Similarly, according to some around at the time, apparently Damiani's injury in 1991 suddenly became apparent to himself when he viewed Holyfield sparring in the flesh, preparing for the fight. I guess Francesco figured he would lose and maybe get hurt, so it was called off.

Don't get me wrong, Damiani was a legitimate contender. But I guess he knew his limits. He probably wasn't much in love with the professional game at all (he'd stayed in the amateurs for years, and had won an Olympic medal) and had some intelligence about him and a future to think about.
I might have the whole thing wrong though, but this is what I've read.

 

I doubt he particularly regrets never having been knocked out by prime Mike Tyson, put it that way.

 

After getting rid of Spinks, Bill Cayton had a plan for Tyson to defend all over the world. A world tour, not unlike Muhammad Ali's reign in the 70's. Cayton wanted Tyson to face Frank Bruno in England, Adilson Rodrigues in Brazil, Razor Ruddock in Canada and Damiani in Italy. I think Foreman was an opponent set for China or Japan and then the SuperFight with Holyfield taking place somewhere in the middle in Las Vegas

When Tyson left Cayton for King the world tour was dismantled because Tyson didn't want to fight overseas. The Bruno fight was in Vegas, the fight with Ruddock got cancelled and then the Douglas fight mustered little fanfare so that one was picked for Japan before the signed bout with Holyfield.

Damiani wasn't under the Don King banner either, so he didn't fit into the new plans King laid out for Mike.

 

I remember reading that he was pencilled in at one point to fight tyson at some point. Not sure how solid that was or if it was just rumours.. I no at one point ribalti was also in the mix to meet tyson. There was a bit of a thing that damiani would be the first white challenge for tyson s belts.! I think they were just trying to build up any challenger back then because tyson was so dominant. I was kind of looking forward to this fight happening just to see what he could do against tyson. If he'd have met tyson in 90 he may have given him a tough test. Maybe out points him for a stretch.. Till tyson gets him with a uppercut!

 

I rate Damiani highly. Watch as many of his fights as you can in a row. It becomes clear that he had well above average skills, could fight inside and out, and was pretty darn durable. I remember Du Plooy going up against Damiani. I knew nothing of Damiani at the time, and since I'm part Eyetie I was glumly anticipating the ritual hazing I would get after Du Plooy whooped Francesco. Johnny had a very good rep locally at the time. I didn't even watch the fight. When nobody said a damn thing to me at school I knew something was up. Damiani had blown Du Plooy out in 3 rounds and made it look easy.

 

I'd agree. People laugh at the notion of him taking on Tyson, but I'd give him as good a shot as anybody at the time and a better chance than most. He was a very big dude, and was above average all-round. There's no doubt in my mind that he'd have jumped at the chance of fighting Mike. He took on McCall in woeful condition, after all.

 

Yes at the time think he would have been seen as a credible opponent. And he could possibly have given the tyson of 90 a good hard time. I see it going like the botha fight. Damiani messing tyson about, out jabbing him and tyson getting frustrated. Then at some point tyson catching him probably mid way. But I don't think tyson would have been getting him out of there easily

 

http://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/30/sports/boxing-damiani-strives-to-gain-notice.html

 

I only saw him against Mercer when he was likely past his prime. It was on the same prospect card as Seldon vs Ribalta and Morrison vs Tillis sometime early back in 1991.. you had four undefeated Heavies that evening. I was actually impressed by Damiani and it was the first time I had a chance to view him after years of seeing his name in Ring mag. Great Jab and footwork with a solid right hand and plenty of accuracy. By about the 5th or 6th round I was actually hoping he'd walk away the winner.... but then the ninth came around and that was that. But yes he was an exceptional talent and you wouldn't think it by looking at his physique which hardly resembled that of a professional world class boxer.. Damiani was a bit of an anomaly.

 

Pretty much this ^.

Mercer's power gave him the proverbial puncher's chance against anybody, and I have to say that Ray had that unshakeable confidence in himself that makes him dangerous for any man. Damiani pretty much outclassed him in that bout, but in an interview years later with Mercer, he said that he'd never been worried, he "knew" that he was going to catch him sooner or later.

Damiani had GOOD fights with Page and Biggs, well worth watching. And his clash with Teofilo in the Olympics shows you what might have been. Too much $%^$ pasta methinks

Now I'm not going to outright say that he beats Tyson, but I will say that I think he'd push him harder than Tillis. Would have been a fun scrap to watch.