Valerio Mantovani and Francesco Magrì are two very different fighters in many ways: from their fighting styles to their personal stories and amateur careers. But they share one key trait that makes them a positive example for anyone boxing in Italy and aiming to achieve something meaningful: the courage to take risks. This Saturday, the two will step into the ring at the Centro Pavesi in Milan, on the undercard of the TAF event, putting their unbeaten records on the line.
Valerio Mantovani: a no-frills puncher, lethal in exchanges
Mantovani’s amateur career was quite short: only 24 bouts, of which he won 19, before making the leap into the pro ranks. However, one stat stands out when reviewing the Lombard boxer’s time in the vest: 12 of his wins came inside the distance — an impressive number that reflects the sheer danger of his punches.
Despite limited experience and the use of protective amateur gloves, Valerio managed to overwhelm half of his opponents with sheer force, making the most of his exceptional natural power, which turns him into a true war machine in close exchanges.
Less impressive are his ring-cutting ability and his defense: Mantovani often appears stiff in the torso and struggles to anticipate his opponents’ lateral movement. It’s no coincidence that his “bogeyman” in the amateurs was Remo Salvati, a highly mobile fighter who twice eliminated him at the national championships by using the full width of the ring and picking him off from long range.
Francesco Magrì: hot-headed and naturally gifted
Sky-high peaks and sudden falls: Francesco Magrì’s boxing journey has been a rollercoaster ride, with major achievements made possible by his rare natural talent often offset by setbacks caused by his rebellious personality and his struggle to take direction — something that has tested the patience of his coach Cataldo Quero more than once.
Unlike his upcoming opponent, Francesco spent a long time honing his skills in the amateur ranks, racking up 107 fights (80 wins) and winning the Italian national title three times — once as a youth and twice in the senior division.
Though his fiery temperament sometimes leads him to get drawn into wild brawls, Magrì performs at his best when he dictates the range, countering with sharp, well-timed shots. His brilliant 2017 performance, when he upset the dangerous Mirko Natalizi, is still available on YouTube. Even though several years have passed, it still gives a good idea of the best qualities of this talented boxer from Puglia.
Two fighters looking for redemption
As it happens, both boxers in this intriguing all-Italian clash are coming off performances that were somewhat underwhelming compared to their potential.
In April, Valerio Mantovani defeated 32-year-old Neder Triki over six rounds, but after two convincing sessions he seemed to lose his focus, eating a large number of clean punches that he could have avoided with better concentration.
Luckily for him, Triki got too greedy and, in round five, while trying to press for a finish, walked into a vicious left hook that left him on shaky legs. The referee stepped in and stopped the bout in the following round.
Magrì, for his part, was last seen in action less than two weeks ago, winning a six-round points decision over Argentine journeyman Angel Mariano Castillo.
The 27-year-old from Puglia approached the fight too casually, perhaps underestimating his opponent, and in the first round absorbed a few dangerous shots in careless fashion.
The Quero-Chiloiro fighter regained control and comfortably managed the rest of the bout, deservedly winning on points. However, in the final minutes of the contest he appeared fatigued — a possible sign of less-than-optimal conditioning, likely worsened by the summer heat.
The technician vs the slugger: who will impose their style?
The matchup in Milan is a classic clash of styles: the technician versus the slugger. It’s likely that the winner will be the one who manages to impose his preferred rhythm on the fight.
Valerio Mantovani will need to hunt his opponent down, stay close, and make him feel the power of his shots, without getting discouraged if he misses early. He’ll also have to resist the temptation to ignore defense — something he’s been guilty of in the past. Coming forward with his head exposed would make it all too easy for Magrì to time him with clean counters that are sure to impress the judges.
For Francesco Magrì, keeping his temperament in check will be key. He must avoid being drawn into a slugfest, which would only play into Mantovani’s hands. He’ll need to box smartly — using lateral movement, sudden counters, and a steady stream of long-range punches to maximize his chances of victory.