Nino Benvenuti, one of boxing’s most complete stylists and Italy’s most beloved world champion, died on Tuesday, 20 May, aged 87.
Born in Isola d’Istria (now Izola, Slovenia), Benvenuti swept the 1960 Rome Olympics, winning welterweight gold and the Val Barker Trophy as the Games’ outstanding boxer. He turned professional later that year with a reported 120-0 amateur slate and rattled off 65 straight victories before tasting defeat.
Benvenuti first captured world honours at 154 lbs in 1965, dethroning compatriot Sandro Mazzinghi. Two years later he moved up to middleweight and etched his name in Madison Square Garden lore by out-pointing Emile Griffith for the undisputed crown, ultimately winning their memorable trilogy 2-1.
Tough enough to box light-heavy icon Dick Tiger with a broken hand and skilful enough to stop former welter king Luís Rodríguez, Benvenuti finally surrendered his title to a rising Carlos Monzón in 1970, retiring after their 1971 rematch with a ledger of 82-7-1 (35 KOs). He entered the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992.
Handsome and charismatic, Nino parlayed his fame into Italian cinema roles, television punditry and civic service in Trieste. He remained close to Griffith and Monzón—proof that the respect he earned inside the ropes endured far beyond them.
Boxing mourns a champion whose artistry, courage and sportsmanship set a standard future generations still chase. Rest in peace, Campione.