Benvenuti, "Nino" (Giovanni)
Boxing
b. April 26, 1938, Trieste, Italy
After winning the 1960 gold medal in the welterweight class, Benvenuti turned professional in early 1961. He won the Italian middleweight championship in 1963 and became world junior welterweight champion and European middleweight champion in 1965.
Benvenuti was undefeated until he lost the junior welterweight title on a 15-round decision to Ki-Soo Kim of Korea on June 25, 1966.
On April 17, 1967, Benvenuti became world middleweight champion by decisioning Emile Griffith in 15 rounds in New York City. He lost the title in a rematch, also a 15-round decision, on September 28, but regained it in yet another 15-round decision on March 4, 1968.
After four successful defenses, Benvenuti lost the title when he was knocked out by Carlos Monzon of Argentina in the 12th round of a fight in Rome on November 7, 1970. He retired after Monzon knocked out him out again, this time in the 3rd round, on May 8, 1971.
In 90 professional bouts, Benvenuti had 82 victories, 35 by knockout. He lost 7, 3 by knockout, and fought 1 draw.
