Biography
Sandro entered the world of professional boxing in 1961, in the superwelter division. As European and World Champion, he has a record of 64-3-0-2 (42 KOs). Of these matches, five were valid for the European title and 8 for the World title.
In 1961 Mazzinghi seized the Crown of Military World Champion, welter division, in the United States.
On September 7, 1963 he became World Champion, Junior Middleweight division, defeating the American Ralph Dupas by a ninth round TKO, in a match played in Milan, Italy. In December of the same year, a rematch took place in Sydney, Australia, and Mazzinghi won again by knock out.
He remained World Champion until 1965, a year in which he suffered a terrible accident. The boxer remained in critical conditions for some days, with a skull fracture that would condition his career in the following years.
Mazzinghi came back on the ring to defend his title in Genoa, Italy, against Tony Montano (K.o. on 12th round) and in Rome, against Fortunato Manca (winning by decision in 15 rounds).
On June 18, 1965 Mazzinghi faced Nino Benvenuti and lost by K.O. in the 6th round. In their rematch, Mazzinghi barely escaped an early round knockout when he was floored, and apparently unable to rise in time, was saved by the bell in the second round. He rebounded from that close call to give Benvenuti a hard fight, but Benvenuti won the decision.
Mazzinghi started again and gained the Superwelter European crown in Rome, Italy, on June 17, 1966 defeating Yoland Leveque; he defended his title four times.
On May 26, 1968 Mazzinghi faced the Korean Ki-Soo Kim, in "San Siro" Stadium, Milan, Italy, and won, becoming the new Superwelter World Champion.
On October 25 he fought against American Freddie Little, but was disqualified by the referee for an illegal blow; this decision was revoked and the result of the match was changed to a "no contest". A few days later, the Italian Boxing Federation took away the title from Mazzinghi, after the WBA wouldn't.
In 1970 he left boxing for six years, and would make a comeback from 1976 to 1979. He retired in 1979.
| Preceded by Ralph Dupas |
World Light Middleweight Champion 7 Sep 1963– 18 Jun 1965 |
Succeeded by Nino Benvenuti |
| Preceded by Ki-Soo Kim |
World Light Middleweight Champion 26 May 1968– Nov 1968 Stripped |
Succeeded by Freddie Little |
Read more about this topic: Alessandro Mazzinghi
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