Vincent Pettway - Gianfranco Rosi II (A dud by any other name, aka "Where did Rosi learn to box?"

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Russell, Jan 3, 2018.


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  1. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Story time. Many moons ago in the very late 80's into the mid 90's there was a Italian boxer by the name of Gianfranco Rosi, who somehow obtained an IBF world title belt and defended it quite a few times, 11 times I believe. Something of a modern day Arthur Abraham, closer to Sven Ottke. Then this fight happened, Rosi lost his title, and Jay Nady lost several years of his life due to stress the bout caused. The end.

    Now, this was my first ever Rosi fight. I had never seen the man fight before this evening. And all I have to say is this... it's like watching some kind of bad B-Movie, like an Ed Wood movie. It's bizarre. What 57 men did this men defeat, exactly? Italy must be one of the easiest and softest places on the globe to pad your resume. Just look at his balance, his constant holding and fouling, how he gives up a title he's had for years and almost a dozen defenses ago with nary a protest... Egads. I don't think I'll be going out of my way to ever watch any Rosi fight. Seemed like he was something of a stinker.

    This one was a real car crash. Like I said, like a b-movie version of a good boxing match. Here it is if anyone's interested. Good for a laugh at least. I think sometimes we need to watch fights like this to make us appreciate the good ones that much more. :risas3:

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    Russell, Jan 3, 2018
    Russell, Jan 3, 2018
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  2. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Rosi was an extremely skilled operator. He fought outside the box.

    This is him towards the end of his real career, pushing 40. He had some good wins earlier and made a somewhat ill-advised comeback at 50.
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2018
    Seamus, Jan 3, 2018
    Seamus, Jan 3, 2018
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  3. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Can I ask to which box you're referring? Is it a particularly special sort of box?
     
    Russell, Jan 3, 2018
    Russell, Jan 3, 2018
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  4. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    He's meta. You will need an interdisciplinary semiotics degree to understand.
     
    Seamus, Jan 3, 2018
    Seamus, Jan 3, 2018
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  5. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Is there any way I can fast track myself to such knowledge, to having any idea exactly what you're talking about?
     
    Russell, Jan 3, 2018
    Russell, Jan 3, 2018
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  6. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Rosi won the WBC and the IBF titles at 154.
     
    Unforgiven, Jan 3, 2018
    Unforgiven, Jan 3, 2018
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  7. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Rosi of the Pettway fights had seen better years.
     
    Unforgiven, Jan 3, 2018
    Unforgiven, Jan 3, 2018
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  8. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    One of Rosi's better performances ..

    Beating the undefeated young Darrin Van Horn for the IBF title in 1989

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    Unforgiven, Jan 3, 2018
    Unforgiven, Jan 3, 2018
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  9. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Rosi was an acquired taste, that's for sure. One of the bit players amongst the champions of his time IMO. I was always amazed "whilst" watching him back then....how he managed to snag those ABC baubles...and how he qualified for shots at those belts. Kind of a more collapsible John Ruiz sorta/kinda...
     
    red cobra, Jan 4, 2018
    red cobra, Jan 4, 2018
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  10. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    And this one....if you can stand to watch it...a good performance.
    Complete with weigh in...
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    red cobra, Jan 4, 2018
    red cobra, Jan 4, 2018
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  11. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Masterful.
     
    Seamus, Jan 4, 2018
    Seamus, Jan 4, 2018
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  12. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Van Horn himself was very protected... Can you believe he was 44-1 going into the first Rosi fight? Soft matchmaking, for sure. He ended his career 53-3
     
    Russell, Jan 4, 2018
    Russell, Jan 4, 2018
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  13. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    I think he was undefeated, 39-0.
    44-1 for the second fight.

    Darrin Van Horn was the epitome of the cleverly matched protected American Golden Boy / Poster Boy boxer.
    In fact that called him "The School Boy". Fresh faced, good looking, young. And white, it has to be said.

    And to be fair to him, he was YOUNG. He was a School Boy. They did well to protect him. He was just a kid.
    Turned professional a couple of days before his 16th birthday !
    He was 25-0 before he even reached his 18th birthday.
     
    Unforgiven, Jan 4, 2018
    Unforgiven, Jan 4, 2018
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  14. lloydturnip

    lloydturnip Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Shows what a dangerous fighter Honeygan was ! He went to Rossis back yard and KOed him for the European title devastating ko ! . I remember that Lloyd And Mickey duff didn't think they would get out of the ring alive ! The crowd were not happy!.
     
    lloydturnip, Jan 4, 2018
    lloydturnip, Jan 4, 2018
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  15. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    What I remember the most about Van Horn was Iran Barkley stomping a hole in his chest. You talk about an intimidated white boy...it was one of those forgotten muggings of boxing...a truly brutal affair....
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    red cobra, Jan 4, 2018
    red cobra, Jan 4, 2018
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