Francesco Damiani
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Name: Francesco Damiani
Hometown: Bagnacavallo, Emilia Romagna, Italy
Birthplace: Bagnacavallo, Emilia Romagna, Italy
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 190cm
Reach: 198cm
Pro Boxer: Record
Amateur Boxer: Record
- Manager: Umberto Branchini
- Trainer: Elio Ghelfi
- Francesco Damiani Photo Gallery
Olympic Games results
- 1980 Italian Super Heavyweight representative at the Moscow Olympics. Results:
- Defeated Teodor Pirjol (Romania) 4-1
- Lost to Piotr Zaev (Soviet Union) 0-5
- 1984 Super Heavyweight Silver Medalist at the Los Angeles Olympics. Results:
- 1st round bye
- Defeated William Isangura (Tanzania) RSCH 2
- Defeated Bobby Wells (Great Britain) RSC 3
- Lost to Tyrell Biggs (United States) 1-4
Other Amateur results
- 1981 European Super Heavyweight Gold medallist in Tampere, Finland.
- 1982 World Championships Super Heavyweight Silver Medalist in Munich, West Germany.
- Defeated Teofilo Stevenson (Cuba) 5-0
- Defeated Petar Stoymenov (Bulgaria) 5-0
- Lost to Tyrell Biggs (United States) 1-4
- 1983 European Super Heavyweight Gold medallist in Varna, Bulgaria.
- 1983 World Cup Super Heavyweight Gold medallist in Rome, Italy.
- Defeated William Isangura (Tanzania) 5-0
- Defeated Ulli Kaden (East Germany) 5-0
- Defeated Craig Payne (United States) 4-1
Professional Career
- Knocked out Johnny DuPlooy in three rounds to become the first WBO Heavyweight Champion on May 6, 1989. Since Mike Tyson was the undefeated WBA/WBC/IBF World Heavyweight Champion at the time, Damiani's WBO title was given little respect.
- Lost the WBO title to Ray Mercer by a ninth-round KO on January 11, 1991.
- When Mike Tyson pulled out of his November 8, 1991 fight against Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield due to a rib injury, Damiani was chosen as his replacement. The fight was to take place on November 23, but Damiani withdrew a week before the fight because of an ankle injury. Bert Cooper replaced Damiani.
- Retired after an eighth-round TKO loss to Oliver McCall on April 23, 1993.
| Preceded by: Inaugural Champion |
WBO Heavyweight Champion 1989 May 6 – 1991 Jan 11 |
Succeeded by: Ray Mercer |