Mauro Forte discusses European Union featherweight title defence against Francesco Grandelli
European Union featherweight champion Mauro Forte will defend against Francesco Grandelli
On November 5 at Palazzo dello Sport in Rome (Italy) European middleweight champion Matteo Signani (military of the Italian Coast Guard with a record of 30-5-3 with 11 KOs) will defend against Ruben Diaz (Spain, 26-2-2 with 17 KOs) in the main event of the Roma Boxing Night, promoted by Opi Since 82-Matchroom-DAZN, presented by David Diamante and streamed live in 200 countries by DAZN.
In the co-main event, European Union featherweight champion Mauro Forte (16-0-1 with 6 KOs) will put his belt on the line against Francesco Grandelli (15-1-1 with 3 KOs) over the 12 rounds distance.
Both Forte and Grandelli have been Italian featherweight champions. Mauro Forte has also won the WBC Mediterranean and IBF International featherweight titles. In the European Boxing Union rankings, Forte is number 4 while Grandelli is number 7. The current European featherweight champion is Karim Guerfi (France) and Forte and Grandelli each have ambitions to challenge him next.
Mauro, where are you training?
“At Golden Power gym in Rome with coach Emiliano Filippi. We work togheter since I competed as an amateur. For this fight, we traveled to other Italian cities to spar with pros like Vincenzo La Femina, Raffaele Imparato and IBO world super featherweight champion Michael Magnesi.”
What did you achieve during your amateur career?
“I had 54 amateur fights: I won the Italian Golden Gloves and a silver medal to the Italian championship tournament.”
What do you know o Francesco Grandelli?
“Yes and I respect him. He is a good fighter and will be a difficult opponent. I am well prepared and therefore I am confident to win.”
If you beat Grandelli, will you look to defend the European Union title?
“I don’t think so. The winner should have an opportunity against the European featherweight champion Karim Guerfi. I saw his fights and I know that I can beat him.”
Do you have a boxing idol?
“I like a lot Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford and Vasily Lomachenko for their skills and rapidity. As a fan, my favorite fighter was Miguel Angel Cotto. I also liked Mike Tyson, who was considered just a big puncher but who also had defensive skills (at least at the beginning of his career).”
Roma Boxing Night
The other fights of the Roma Boxing Night include, the light heavyweight division, Serhiy Demchenko (Ukraine, 23-15-1 with 15 KO) will fight Hrvoje Sep (Croatia, 10-0 with 8 KOs) on the 6 rounds distance. Also, super welterweight Mirko “Terminator” Natalizi (Italy, 11-0 with 7 KO) will fight for the IBF International belt. His opponent will be announced shortly. Super lightweight Armando Casamonica (Italy, 3-0) will fight Mauro Loli (Italy, 5-2) on the 6 rounds distance. Italian super bantamweight champion Maria Cecchi (5-0 with 1 KO) will fight Bec Connolly (UK, 3-10) on the 8 rounds distance.
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