Duilio Loi passes away 20th Jan. 2008
Italy's greatest exponent of the Noble Art, Duilio Loi succumbed to the ravages of Alzheimer disease, and at last the grim reaper managed to score a KO win at the expense of the great warrior.

Born in 1929 in the town Trieste, Duilio turned professional in 1948 and ceased his career in 1963. During that time he annexed the Italian lightweight championship, the European lightweight Championship and the European Welterweight title. He never lost any of these. After years of vainly chasing a chance at the world lightweight title held by Wallace "Bud" Smith, he eventually, in the twilight of his career, had an opportunity to fight world kingpin Carlos Ortiz in Chicago losing a narrowest width decision. He won the title a few months later before some 60000 screaming fans in Milan, a title he retained a few months later. Then came a trilogy against the much younger Eddie Perkins during which time he drew, lost and regained the diadem . Shortly after that he called it quits, retiring as one of the few fighters who withdrew from the boxing scene as undefeated world champions. In 126 professional bouts, he won 115, drew 8 and lost only three which he subsequently avenged!
. Amongst the boxers he met, it's worthwhile mentioning Bruno Visintin ( an old friend of ours), Giancarlo Garbelli, the Chiocca brothers, Orlando Zulueta, Fred Galiana, Emilio Marconi, Mario Vecchiatto, Wallace Smith, Carlos Ortiz, Eddie Perkins and a host of other great ones and not so great men. He fought in Australia in the 1950s winning all his matches. RIP Duilio, thanks for the memory.

PS Some overseas boxing sites mention him as a southpaw. He was strictly an orthodox fighter who occasionally switched stanses to successfully confuse his opponents.

Sent to YVB by Lucio Coceani
 

Advert