Super-Middleweight contender Giovanni De Carolis scored an exciting five round knockout over previously unbeaten Daniele Scardina on Friday night at the Allianz Cloud in Milan, Italy. De Carolis badly staggered Scardina with a right hand to the head in the first round. In round two, he began to mix hooks to the head into his offense. In round three and most of round four, Scardina appeared to be getting into a rhythm and did manage to hurt De Carolis with a left hook to the body in the third round, but things suddenly changed late in round four when a right hand to the head followed by a flush left hook to the jaw sent Scardina down hard on the canvas. Clearly badly hurt, Scardina managed to get to his feet on very unsteady legs. There appeared to be some confusion following the knockdown as the bell rang with about seven seconds remaining in the round. Due in part to the confusion, there was a question briefly as to whether the fight was stopped and some clarification with ringside officials prior to the start of the fifth round. Despite being inadvertently given extra time to recover, Scardina had nothing left and De Carolis promptly pounced on him at the start of round five flooring him for a second time with a barrage of unanswered punches forcing the fight to be stopped. Official time of the stoppage was :10 of round five. Giovanni De Carolis advances to 31-10-1, with 15 Knockouts. Daniele Scardina falls to 20-1, with 16 Knockouts.
Also on this card:
Women’s European Jr. Featherweight champion Mary Romero scored a ten round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Maria Cecchi. A very ugly bout that saw almost constant grappling and roughhouse tactics, usually initiated by Cecchi, Romero simply did what she needed to do to retain her title. Cecchi was penalized two points in round seven for intentionally headbutting Romero with her head facing the opposite direction. The result was Romero being sent to the canvas and a gash over her left eye. Although this would have been grounds for disqualification, Cecchi was able to continue to the final bell. Official scores were: 100-88, (On two scorecards) and 98-90 in favor of Romero. Mary Romero advances to 8-2, with 2 Knockouts. Maria Cecchi falls to 7-1, with 2 Knockouts.
Welterweight Luis Romero scored a come from behind seventh round stoppage of Maxim Prodan. Romero used lateral movement and a slick Boxing style to dictate the combat for much of the fight. Just as it appeared Romero was comfortably ahead, Prodan decked him hard with a left hook to the head in the closing seconds of round six. Romero struggled, but did manage to get to his feet and survive the round. As it appeared Prodan was on the verge of finishing Romero off at the beginning of round seven, Romero responded by staggering Prodan with a right hand to the head that set off a barrage of unanswered punches that resulted in a standing eight count being implemented by the referee. Romero pressed forward at the conclusion of the eight count and continued his assault resulting in the referee issuing a second standing eight count. This time Prodan was walking away as the referee counted and the bout was stopped. Official time of the stoppage was 1:15 of round seven. Luis Romero advances to 11-5-1, with 7 Knockouts. Maxim Prodan falls to 19-2-1, with 15 Knockouts.
Cruiserweight Oronzo Birardi had a tough test to earn the fourth victory in as many pro bouts in being forced to go the distance for the first time of his career in scoring a six round unanimous decision over Ovidiu Enache. Birardi had success in keeping the fight at a distance where he could get his jab working as the focal point of his offense. As the fight progressed however, Enache came on and landed hard hooks to the head with both hands that appeared to have Birardi stunned down the stretch, the unbeaten Birardi was able to hang on to earn the hard fought decision victory. Official scores were: 59-55, (On two scorecards) and 58-56 in favor of Birardi. Oronzo Birardi advances to 4-0, with 3 Knockouts. Ovidiu Enache falls to 6-10, with 1 Knockout.
Unbeaten Middleweight Joshua Nmomah scored a workmanlike eight round unanimous decision over veteran Gabor Gorbics. Nmomah was in control from the opening bell and appeared at times as though that he may have been able to force a stoppage of the fight, but Gorbics hung in there until the final bell. Official scores were: 80-72 (On all three scorecards in favor of Nmomah. Joshua Nmomah advances to 12-0, with 3 Knockouts. Gabar Gorbics falls to 26-27-2, with 16 Knockouts.
Super-Middleweight Daniele Reggi began the evening by successfully making his professional debut by scoring a third round stoppage of a very “Game” Luca Barbessi. A fight fought at a furious pace from the outset. Reggi wore Barbessi down with body shots and got knockdowns in rounds two and three with left hooks to the body. It was after the second knockdown that the bout was stopped at :53 into round three. Daniele Reggi advances to 1-0, with 1 Knockout. Luca Barbessi falls to 0-4, with 0 Knockouts.
What was billed as perhaps the fight of the year to be held in Italy in 2022, Givonni De Carolis, who briefly held interim/regular championship status in the WBA Super-Middleweight ratings several years ago, has catapulted himself back into the discussion of contenders in the division off of an upset knockout victory over Daniele Scardina. With the status of the Undisputed Super-Middleweight world championship perhaps in limbo following undisputed champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’ recent loss to WBA Light-Heavyweight world champion Dmitry Bivol last week in Las Vegas, NV, there might be room to maneuver if Alvarez does seek a rematch with Bivol and perhaps the undisputed championship is broken up due to the championships that make up the crown not being defended within a certain timeframe. While that is a subject for another time, Givonni De Carolis has re-established himself as a player in the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division.
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