Nino Benvenuti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nino Benvenuti |
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Benvenuti in 2010
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| Statistics | |
| Real name | Giovanni Benvenuti |
| Nickname(s) | Nino |
| Rated at | 79.5 kg |
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Born | 26 April 1938 Isola d'Istria, Italy |
| Died | 20 May 2025 (aged 87) Rome, Italy |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 90 |
| Wins | 82 |
| Wins by KO | 35 |
| Losses | 7 |
| Draws | 1 |
Giovanni "Nino" Benvenuti (born April 26, 1938 – died May 20, 2025) was a famous Italian professional boxer and actor. He was known for winning world titles in two different weight classes in boxing.
Nino held the undisputed super-welterweight championship from June 1965 to June 1966. He also held the undisputed middleweight championship twice. His first middleweight title was from April to September 1967, and his second was from March 1968 to November 1970.
Before becoming a professional, Nino was an amazing amateur boxer. He won the Italian welterweight title several times. He also won the European title in 1957 and 1959. A big highlight was winning a gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. For his excellent boxing style, he received the Val Barker trophy.
Nino turned professional in 1961 with an incredible amateur record of 120 wins and no losses. He went on to win world titles in both the light-middleweight and middleweight divisions. Later in his career, he also appeared in two Italian movies. In 1992, Nino Benvenuti was honored by being added to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time.
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Nino's Boxing Journey
Nino Benvenuti started his professional boxing career on January 20, 1961. He won his first fight against Ben Ali Allala. After that, he won 29 more fights in a row!
His winning streak continued to 30 when he won the Italian middleweight title. This happened on March 1, 1963, when he knocked out Tommaso Truppi. Nino kept winning, reaching 46 victories in a row. He even beat former world champion Denny Moyer in 1964.
Becoming a World Champion
Nino's winning streak reached 55 fights. Then, he faced another Italian boxer, Sandro Mazzinghi, on June 18, 1965. This was a very exciting fight for Italian fans. Both boxers were very popular and wanted to prove who was the best.
Nino won the fight by knockout in the sixth round. This made him the world junior middleweight champion! Later that year, he also won the European middleweight title. He beat Luis Folledo by knockout in the sixth round.
Nino had a rematch with Mazzinghi in December 1965. He won again, keeping his world junior middleweight title. He continued to win, even in his first professional fight outside Italy.
Losing and Regaining Titles
In June 1966, Nino traveled to South Korea. There, he lost his world junior middleweight title to Ki-Soo Kim. This loss ended his amazing streak of 65 wins in a row. Feeling that the decision was unfair, Nino decided to focus on the middleweight division instead.
On April 17, 1967, Nino fought Emile Griffith in New York City. He won the fight and became the world middleweight champion! This was the first of three exciting fights between them.
Nino lost his title to Griffith in their second fight in September 1967. But he didn't give up! On March 4, 1968, they had their third and final match. Nino won this fight, knocking Griffith down and regaining his world middleweight title.
He defended his title against Don Fullmer in December 1968. In May 1969, Nino fought Dick Tiger in a non-title match. Nino broke his hand early in the fight but bravely continued to box.
One of his most unusual title defenses was in October 1969. He won against Fraser Scott when Scott was disqualified. The referee warned Scott many times for trying to butt (headbutt) Nino.
Nino continued to defend his middleweight title. In November 1969, he beat former world welterweight champion Luis Rodriguez by knockout.
End of a Great Career
In March 1970, Nino was surprisingly knocked out by an unknown boxer named Tom Bethea. However, Nino got his revenge in a rematch, knocking Bethea out in the eighth round.
On November 7, 1970, Nino lost his world middleweight title to the rising star Carlos Monzón. This fight took place in Rome.
Nino had a rematch with Monzón in May 1971. But Monzón won again, and Nino's corner stopped the fight. Realizing he could no longer compete at the highest level, Nino decided to retire from boxing.
Nino Benvenuti finished his professional boxing career with an impressive record. He had 82 wins, 7 losses, and 1 draw (tie) in 90 fights. He won 35 of his fights by knockout. In 1992, he was recognized for his amazing career and entered the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Life After Boxing
After retiring from boxing, Nino Benvenuti became a successful businessman. He also worked as a TV commentator and a city councilor for sports in Trieste. He even opened a fancy restaurant.
Nino remained good friends with his former boxing rivals, Carlos Monzón and Emile Griffith. In 1980, Nino asked Griffith to be the godfather of one of his sons. He also helped Griffith financially when he needed it.
Nino invited Monzón to his television show many times. When Monzón faced difficulties, Nino was one of his most loyal supporters. He even visited Monzón when he was in prison. Nino was also a pallbearer at Monzón’s funeral in 1995.
Personal Life and Passing
Nino Benvenuti was born in Isola d'Istria, which was part of Italy at the time. After World War II, his family moved to Italy because of the war and problems with the Yugoslav government.
In 1961, Nino married Giuliana Fonzari. They had four sons and adopted a daughter from Tunisia. Later, they divorced. Nino then married Nadia Bertorello, and they had one daughter together.
Nino Benvenuti passed away on May 20, 2025, at the age of 87.
Awards and Honors
On May 7, 2015, Nino Benvenuti was honored in Rome. His name was placed on the Walk of Fame of Italian sport at the Foro Italico. This special walk has 100 tiles, each with the name of a famous Italian athlete. Nino's tile shows his name, the sport he excelled in, and the symbol of the Italian National Olympic Committee.
Images for kids
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Benvenuti in 2010
See also
In Spanish: Nino Benvenuti para niños
