Nino Benvenuti, Italian sports icon, has died

Nino Benvenuti, an Italian sports icon, former middleweight world champion and gold medalist at the 1960 Rome Olympics, has died.

He was 87 years old and had been ill for some time.

He was 87 years old and had been ill for some time. Born in Isola d’Istria on April 26, 1938, he is considered one of the greatest boxers ever. He won Olympic gold in welterweight in 1960 and was world middleweight champion from 1967 to 1970, years marked by his historic duels with Emile Griffith, which left their mark not only on the sport but also on the social climate of Italy at the time. Also unforgettable were his challenges with Sandro Mazzinghi. Benvenuti was also world and European champion in the superwelter category.

With his refined style and strong personality, Nino Benvenuti stood out not only for his successes in the ring but also for his behavior. He was a symbol of sportsmanship, a representative of Italy at the international level and a figure capable of winning the attention and affection of the general public.