Rocky Mattioli

Tell me more!

 

That's pretty much all I know. Ambrose apparently let slip the name of the ex fighter / robber in a conversation in a pub, which was overheard and eventually the guy's name got to the notorious Kane brothers who then decided they wanted their slice of the loot. This in turn resulted in one of the Kane's being machine gunned in a pre-emptive strike in 1978. One of the gunmen was then gunned down by another of the Kane brothers inside (believe it or not) the Melbourne Magistrates Court in 1979 whilst being taken to a courtroom. He eventually was shot dead in a pub in 1982 in retaliation allegedly by Russell 'Mad Dog' Cox and another multiple murderer

That's a version of Palmer's accidental involvement i've read a few times although I'm not sure whether to believe it or not

 

yikes

 

In Sydney Johnny Lewis used to train a couple of brothers..the McElwaines? At least one of the brothers ended up being locked up for murder after the Milperra bikie shootings that happened one afternoon in 1984 (they charged all the bikies that took part that day, with murder)

Alphonse Gangitano (he of Underbelkly fame) was connected to Lester Ellis at the time Lester won his title. Not sure what his role was though Lester has said "Al made sure we got paid" whatever that means

Boxing and badboys / badboys and boxing....rightly or wrongly they've always been connected to each other

 

Saturday - June 18, 1977

Palazzetto Dello Sport, Rome, Italy

Part of CBS-TV Sports Spectacular

Main Event; WBA Light-Heavyweight Championship Bout
*Victor Galindez vs. Richie Kates

Televised Undercard;

Rocco 'Rocky' Mattioli.....46-4-2 (35 KO's)...(155 lbs.)
vs.
Angel Jose Ortiz............19-12-3 (7 KO's)....(153 1/2 lbs.)

In front of 3500 Rome, Italy fans, Rocky Mattioli has his final 'tune-up'
bout before challenging for the World Light-Middleweight Championship,
against either WBC Champion Eckhard Dagge or WBA Champion Eddie Gazo.

The bout broadcast (via tape-delay) will be announced by the CBS-TV Team
of Brent Musberger and former-Heavyweight Contender, Jerry Quarry.

The 23 1/2 year-old, 5' 6" Mattioli at 153 1/2 lbs. is in 'prime condition',
and is ranked #3 by both the WBC and WBA at 154 lbs.

His opponent, Angel Jose Ortiz, a 28 year-old, 5' 10" Puerto Rican fighting out
of New York, is a 'typical cannon-fodder', who offers no real threat to any top 150 lb. fighter.

Rocky Mattioli using both his fists like slabs of 'Italian Granite', pounds the 'over-matched' Ortiz
all over the ring, first flooring him for an 6-Count near the end of the 2nd Round (2:41 mark), and
then finishing him off at 1:40 of the 3rd Round.

Rocky Mattioli, now a 'celebrated Italian fighter', shows strength and incredible quickness in
dismantling the New York Light-Middleweight.

After the bout, it was announced that Rocky Mattioli will challenge WBC Light-Middleweight Champion,
Germany's Eckhard Dagge in August 1977, and in Berlin, Germany.

Fight Purse
Rocky Mattioli; $7500
Angel Jose Ortiz; $2500

 

Saturday - August 6, 1977

WBC Light-Middleweight Championship

DeutschlandHalle, Berlin, Germany

Broadcast; CBS-TV Television

Attendance; 8000+

Fight Purse
Eckhard Dagge; $80,000 (U.S. Dollars)
Rocky Mattioli; $20,000 (U.S. Dollars)

* Eckhard Dagge (Germany)....... 20-3-1 (13 KO's)
vs.
#3 Rocco 'Rocky' Mattioli (Italy)... 47-4-2 (36 KO's)

The 29 1/2 year-old Champion is making the '3rd Title Defense' of his
WBC Championship. All of his Championship bouts have been held at
the DeutschlandHalle in Berlin, Germany

The 5' 11 1/2" Champion, appears to be in 'excellent' physical condition,
and has been installed as a slight-favorite (5-3) to retain his Title.

In his previous bout, the Monzon-style like Champion, battled United Kingdom's
Maurice Hope to a 15-Round Draw.

The 24 1/2 year-old Challenger, is also in great shape, and had been waiting for
any kind of Title shot for the past 3-years.

The 5' 6 1/2" power-punching #3-Ranked Light-Middleweight, is
not only powerful, but very quick with both hands.
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The taller Champion, with a 6" reach advantage starts out by jabbing, and keeping
the shorter Challenger from getting inside.

That tactic seems to work, for all of '2-Rounds. By Round 3, Mattioli is
getting inside, and landing 'frighteningly' hard shots on the slower Champion.

In Round 4, Rocky is now in close, and nailing Eckhard with hard shots to the head,
which shake the Champion, forcing him to grab and hold.
At the bell, Dagge returns to his corner, completely bewildered by the
on-slaught.

In Round 5, Rocky tears into the still stunned Champion, and batters him
with several hard shots, before landing a short chopping right to the head.
Eckhard Dagge goes down, and is counted out by Referee Richard Steele.

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Rocky Mattioli, after Knocking-out Eckhard Dagge.

The 'new' WBC Light-Middleweight Champion

Rocky Mattioli's - Manager, Umberto Branchini and Trainer, Arnold Rossi.

6 agosto, il giorgno che Rocky Mattioli divento campione del mondo!!!

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November 1977

3-Months after winning the WBC Light-Middleweight Championship, Rocky Mattioli
has signed for a Title Defense,,,,,to be held at the Palazzo Dello Sport Arena in Milan, Italy.

The opponent, British Commonwealth Light-Middleweight Champion, 22 year-old Jimmy Batten.
England's Jimmy Batten 21-2-0 (12 KO's), is the #9 WBC-ranked 154 pounder, and the sharp punching
England boxer is on a roll, and considered a 'dangerous opponent'. But snags in the
contract prevent the Championship Bout from going forth, and that bout is 'cancelled.'

Instead of Jimmy Batten, Rocky will take a 'non-title bout, with former British Commonwealth
Light-Middleweight Champion, Liverpool-veteran Larry 'Apostle' Paul 29-7-1 (16 KO's) on December 2, 1977.

Larry Paul who was the British Commonwealth Champion (1973 - 1974), has faded a bit, as he was
stopped by (Ayub Kalule - L KO2 - 12/76) and recently by (L KO 4 - Jimmy Batten - 10/77) only
'2' months ago.

In a Friday Night bout, Rocky cruises to an 'easy' Decision (W Dec 10) - winning 8 of 10 Rounds,
over the 25 year-old 'scrapper' Larry Paul. Somewhat disappointed by not stopping the veteran
154 pounder - as Rocky injures his right hand early in the bout, and is forced to use his left hand
as his only weapon.

Larry Paul surprises Rocky early, by scoring with several right-hands over the top. But Mattioli works his
left-hand over-time, by scoring with left-hooks to the body, and quick double left-jabs to the head.
{Scorecards; 98-92 / 98-92 / 99-94}

Fight Purse;
Rocky Mattioli; $25,000
Larry Paul; $6000

Larry Paul lands a right-hand on Rocky Mattioli.
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January 21, 1978

Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada

WBC Lightweight Champion, Rocco 'Rocky' Mattioli is supposed to defend his Title at Caesar's Palace,
on the undercard of the Roberto Duran vs. Esteban De Jesus III 'World Lightweight Championship'

The bout, to be telecast by CBS-Sports Television. Rocky Mattioli is supposed to make his defense
versus local Las Vegas Light-Middleweight, Rocky Mosley Jr., the #8 WBC Light-Middleweight,
where Rocky was to receive $60,000 as a fight purse.

But, Rocky Mosley, had lost his last bout, (L Dec 10 to Larry Bonds) only 5-weeks earlier, so
the WBC would not 'sanction the bout' for the Championship.

Instead, Rocky will partake in an 'over-the-weight / non-title bout', with 28 year-old Texas
Light-Middleweight, Jose 'J-Rod' Rodriguez 16-4-0 (4 KO's).

As expected, Rocky at 157 lbs. - barrels his way under Rodriguez's guard, and works the body
over and over. A short left-hook/right-hand by Rocky drops Rodriguez in Round 5. Rocky continues
his 'workman-like job' and scores with his body-attack throughout, to win a 'one-sided decision'
(W Dec 10) over the durable Texan.

The victory improves the Champion Mattioli to 50-4-2 (37 KO's)

Fight Purse;
Rocky Mattioli; $12,000 (U.S Dollars)
Jose Rodriguez; $2500 (U.S. Dollars)

 

February 1978,

Rocco 'Rocky' Mattioli returns to Australia (Sydney) after his flight from Rome, Italy.

Rocky will defend his WBC Light-Middleweight Championship in March 1978, at the 8500
seat capacity Kooyong Tennis Stadium, in Melbourne - versus the former WBC Light-Middlewight Champion,
#7 WBC-ranked Elisha Obed (Bahamas).

It is Rocky Mattioli's first return back to Australia in '33-months', since he left for Milan, Italy
back in June 1975.

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Saturday - March 11, 1978

WBC Light-Middleweight Championship

* Rocco 'Rocky Mattioli 50-4-2 (37 KO's) (Age 24 1/2 - Height 5' 7")
vs.
#7 Elisha Obed 67-4-4 (46 KO's) (Age 26 - Height 5' 11")

Rocky Mattioli defends his WBC Championship for the 'first time', by scoring a devastating
Knock-out (KO 7) over former WBC Champion, the slick and hard-punching Bahamian Elisha Obed,
at the Kooyong Tennis Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

The 5' 7" Champion, overwhelmed the 5' 11" Challenger with 'superior power' and a soild 'two-fisted'
attack. In Round 4, a hard left hook by Mattioli, had Obed in serious trouble, but the Challenger was able to
hold and smother the Champion, in preventing any follow-up.

In Round 5, Obed was able to connect with some wild right hands, to slow the 'power-house' Italian down.
But in Round 6, Mattioli went back to hard body shots, which caused the former-Champion to wince in pain.

In Round 7, Rocky scored with repeated hard shots to Elisha's head, finally dropping the Challenger
as Referee Dick Young counted out Elisha Obed at 1:07 of the Round.

Attendance; 8000

Fight Purses;
Rocky Mattioli; $120,000 (U.S. Dollars)
Elisha Obed; $30,000 (U.S. Dollars)

WBC Light-Middleweight Champion Rocky Mattioli stands over Challenger, Elisha Obed.

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Thanks for the thread Pepe, really enjoying it (and the others. Some great info and pics you've put up) :good

Kooyong tennis stadium was an outdoor venue that for years was host to the Australian Open when it was still playd on grass

It was a smart move to defend in Melbourne...we'll go watch a contest between two ants running around, so it's no surprise a crowd of 8,000 turned up to watch the Obed fight. This was despite the fact that Rocky had left to live in Italy quite a while earlier

 

Thanks Bollox,,,,,,,

Yes,,,,,Rocky returns after 33-Months. He moved to Milan.

On Elisha Obed, was sliding a bit, as he had only gone 5-2-2 (2 KO's) in
his previous '9-Bouts', (with Decision-losses to Ayub Kalule and Joao Mendonca), yet Obed
still maintained a #7 WBC Rating, thanks to the help of WBC Caribbean Representative, Carl Baker.

Rocky was a solid 3-1 Betting-favorite versus Elisha Obed.
Wish I knew, as I would have put everything on Rocky, especially at
the Kooyong Tennis Stadium.

 

The highlight of the March 11, 1978 WBC Light Midleweight Championship bout
between Rocky Mattioli and Elisha Obed,,,,

at Kooyong Tennis Stadium in Melbourne.

The 'Ring Round Card Girl'

18 year-old Katrina Judith Rose Redina,,,,,,,,from Victoria, Australia.

Kate was 'parading' around the ring in a 'white string bikini'.

2 years later, she was Miss Australia, as a contestant in the '1980' Miss Universe Pagaent.

 

Saturday Night - May 14, 1978

WBC Light-Middleweight Championship

Stadio Adriatico, Pescara, Italy

ABC-TV Television Broadcast

* Rocco 'Rocky' Mattioli 51-4-2 (38 KO's) (Age; 24 1/2 - Height; 5' 7")
vs.
#5 Jose Manuel 'Pepe' Duran 63-6-9 (23 KO's) (Age; 32 1/2 - Height 5' 9")

WBC Light-Middleweight Champion, Rocky Mattioli makes his '2nd Defense' of his WBC Championship.
This will be his 'first' Championship bout in his homeland of Italy.

His opponent, 32 1/2 year-old, Jose Manuel Duran (Spain), the former WBA Light-Middleweight Champion.

The 5' 9" veteran, is a classic-stylist, who possesses good footwork and a high-level of ring skills.
A clever boxer, who is very mobile. His best punch is a straight right-hand, which he sets up with the jab.

Not regarded as a 'hard-puncher', the Spaniard relies on his superior boxing skills first and foremost.
He does however, become aggressive in the later rounds, when his opponents fade or drop their guard.

He will occassionally drop in the right hand early, if the opening is there. But, he likes to set up his punches,
all behind the left jab.

Defensively, he is very good, as he uses his fast footwork to get him out of harms way. His chin has been
reliable, and he can take a good shot, as he has only been 'downed' once and 'stopped' once in his '78-bout' career,
that by Eckhard Dagge in June 1975 for the European Boxing Union Light-Middleweight Championship.

A 'streaky fighter', Jose Manuel Duran has put togther undefeated strings of '22-bouts' (1967 thru 1970),
'19-bouts' (1970 thru 1972) and '21-bouts' (1972 thru 1975).

Impressive European Boxing Union wins, include a TKO 11 over Eckhard Dagge in September 1974,
a TKO 14 over Johan Orsolics in November 1974, and a W-Dec 15 over Franz Csandl in January 1975.

In May 1975, as the #2 WBC Light-Middleweight, he fought for the 'vacant' Championship versus
#1 Miguel De Oliviera (Brazil). But, Duran lost a Unanimous 15-Round Decision in Spain.

His next bout, '6-weeks' later, in June 1975 was a loss (L KO 9) to Eckard Dagge (who he had previously
defeated by Knock-out in September 1974), which cost him the European Light-Middleweight Championship
and a Top 5 WBC-ranking.

But, Duran went undefeated in his next '5-bouts' and earned a shot at WBA Light-Middleweight Champion,
Koichi Wajima for May 1976. In an 'upset' in Japan, 'Pepe Duran' boxed beautifully in stopping the WBA Champion by
(KO 14).

In his first WBA Championship defense though, in Madrid, Spain on October 8, 1976 - 'Pepe Duran' was 'upset'
by Unanimous Decison to Argentinian Miguel Castellini.

Since that loss, 'Pepe Duran' has fought only twice, winning both. He is currently the #5 WBC-ranked
Light-Middleweight.

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Saturday Night - May 14, 1978

Over 20,000 Pescara Italy boxing fans show up to the outdoor stadium to witness
Rocky Mattioli 'brutalize' former WBA Light-Middleweight Champion, Jose Manuel
'Pepe' Duran of Spain.

Round 1
Rocky Mattioli, attacks from the opening bell, and stalks the boxer Duran.
But Duran is able to utilize his good footwork over the first half of the round, to
avoid Mattioli's hard punches, and employ a stck and move fight plan. But
Mattioli keeps up the pressure, and lands a hardd left-right at the 2:00 mark, that
wobbles the ex-Champion.

Duran comes right back, with a left-right, and a hard right at the 2:45 mark.

Round 2
Mattioli immediatley turns up the pressure, and is all over the 32 year-old Spaniard,
bouncing a hard left off Duran's jaw, at the 0:10 mark. Duran sticks and moves,
and is able to hold off Mattioli briefly. Duran with his back up against the ropes
scores with a good 1-2, then a hard counter right hand to Rocky's left eye at
the 1:21 mark.

Rocky follows up with his own left-right, and while pinning Duran along the ropes,
then scores with a booming left-hook that floors Duran at the 1:41 mark.
Jose Manuel Duran takes a '9-count'.
Mattiolli keeps up the pressure on a retreating Duran, and scores with good punches.
Another hard left-right by the Champion, hurts Duran, and Mattioli again drives
him into the ropes.


Round 3
Mattioli opens up quick, and scores with a hard-right that buckles Duran's legs at
the 0:10 mark. Duran is in some trouble, and uses his legs to get him away.
But Mattioli continues to press, and bounces some good body shots in, then counters
with a hard left-right at the 0:53 mark, which buckles Duran's legs again.

Mattioli keeps up the pressure, and again scores with a hard right at the 1:28 shaking Duran.
But Duran hangs in there, and fires back with his own hard left-right to Rocky's face.
Mattioli not backing off, lands a big overhand right at the 1:41 mark, which again buckles
the legs of Duran.

Mattioli lands a hard 4-punch combination, at 1:55, while keeping Duran on the defensive.
Duran, suprises Rocky, by opening up with a 9-punch combination at the 2:05 mark, which slows
Mattioli down a bit. But Rocky comes back again, and at the 2:30 mark, lands a hard right hand
that wobbles Duran again.

Round 4
Duran suprisingly moves well, after taking a pounding in the previous round. The Spainiard sticks
and moves to buy some time, while Mattioli is stalking. But, Rocky catches Duran with a sharp 1-2
at the 1:20 mark. Then, Duran fires right back with his own hard 1-2, keeping Rocky at bay.

While Mattioli presses, Duran lands a hard right at the 1:39 mark, which raises a welt under the
Champion's left eye. Duran jabs and moves, and is now holding his own.

The Champion continues to press, and is scoring with mid-power shots from long range.
At the 2:00 mark, with Duran pinned the neutral corner Rocky fires a hard left hook and
grazing right which drops Duran for the 'second time'.

Duran is up at the '5-count'. Mattioli is now stalking, and is looking to put Jose Manual Duran
away, and lands another hard right at the 2:49 mark.

Round 5
Mattioli, as expected presses and puts on the pressure. Duran tries to hold the Champion off
by jabbing, moving and holding for the first half of the round. Mattioli scores with a hard 4-punch
combination at the 1:34 mark, which shakes Duran.

Mattioli has backed Duran up to the ropes, and unloads with an 8-punch assault to the body of
Duran, who winces. Mattioli, fires a hard right to the left side of Duran's body, then follows with
a hard left to the body, and a short chopping right to Duran's head, which drops the former
WBA Light-Middleweight Champion for the full '10-count.

Referee, Jean Deswert counts out Jose Manuel Duran at 2:22 of the 5th Round.

Rocky Mattioli improves to 52-4-2 (39 KO's)
Jose Manuel Duran drops to 63-7-9 (23 KO's)

Fight Purses;
Rocky Mattioli,,,,,,,,,,$160,000 (U.S. Dollars)
Jose Manuel Duran,,,,,$40,000 (U.S. Dollars)

Aftermath
Rocky Mattioli's Manager, Umberto Branchini has stated that there is a fight in the works,
for Rocky Mattioli to meet WBC Welterweight Champion Carlos Palomino in September 1978.

If we cannot agree on a location, and weight limit for the Palomino fight, then I have a bout
ready to go in Milan for September 1978.

We will take on either British-Commonwealth Light-Middleweight Champion, #6 WBC Jimmy Batten,
or French Light-Middleweight Champion, #8 WBC Claude Martin next.

Both WBC Welterweight Champion Carlos Palomino, and #1 WBC Light-Middleweight Maurice Hope
are under our scope for late-1978 or early-1979. Eventually, we will get them both done.