At the Palasport in Rezzato, near Brescia, the long-awaited bout between Michele De Filippo and Antonio Licata took place yesterday, with the Italian welterweight title on the line.
Michele De Filippo (12-0-0, 7 KOs), a 34-year-old from San Severo, Foggia, entered the ring as the reigning champion, having captured the belt in December 2024 against Andrea Fontana. On Friday night, he faced Antonio Licata (12-0-0, 4 KOs), a 26-year-old from Ferrara and interim Italian champion.
The fight, broadcast live on RaiSport, showcased two unbeaten fighters with opposing boxing philosophies: on one side, De Filippo’s powerful and aggressive approach, always seeking close exchanges; on the other, Licata’s more cautious, technical style, based on timing and long punches.
At the opening bell, the height difference between the two was immediately evident. Licata, noticeably taller, worked behind a solid jab, trying to control the distance. De Filippo came forward right away but looked tense, perhaps too eager to force an early knockout. In doing so, however, he left himself open to counters, and Licata dropped him with a short right hook to the tip of the chin. De Filippo got up quickly but seemed shaken, as if surprised to find himself in trouble.
In the second round, however, he resumed the chase with renewed aggression. The boxer from Ferrara looked sharp and ready to counter effectively. After a solid left straight from De Filippo, Licata responded with a fine right hook — a weapon that served him well in the early stages.
De Filippo’s pressure was relentless, but his excessive urgency affected both his accuracy and composure, making his attacks somewhat predictable.
Yet, as the rounds went by, De Filippo’s sustained pressure began to break through Licata’s defense. By the end of the fourth, the challenger was showing signs of fatigue. Energized by his strong round, Michele looked far more composed and began to use his jab effectively, with excellent timing and power.
Licata got drawn into high-intensity exchanges, clearly struggling under the champion’s inside assault. He found it increasingly difficult to move and establish his rhythm. The fifth round was punishing for the man from Ferrara, who was battered upstairs and downstairs by De Filippo’s flurries.
The effort took its toll on Michele, who slowed down in the sixth, and Licata looked more comfortable at a steadier pace. During one of De Filippo’s rushes, Antonio slipped beautifully to the side and countered with a neat two-punch combination. For a brief moment, Licata seemed revitalized, moving around the ring and avoiding prolonged exchanges. But as soon as De Filippo raised the tempo again, the challenger was in serious trouble.
Despite the corner’s advice, Licata struggled to put his punches together. His exhaustion was visible: heavy legs, sluggish arms. De Filippo, by contrast, refused to back off, maintaining relentless pressure. Toward the end of the eighth, Licata appeared defenseless under the champion’s attack.
Trying to summon his remaining strength in the ninth, Licata was completely overwhelmed by De Filippo — who, at one point, even seemed to turn toward his corner, possibly suggesting they stop the fight. Moments later, he unleashed another furious assault. After two vicious hooks to the body and no response from Licata, the referee gave a standing count. The challenger bravely tried to continue but absorbed further punishment. Following a brutal right hook–left straight combination to the face, the referee stepped in, stopping the bout and awarding Michele De Filippo a ninth-round TKO victory.
The San Severo native thus retained his Italian welterweight title with an outstanding performance marked by intensity and determination.
Both fighters were exemplary, standing side by side during the post-fight interviews like respectful sparring partners. Licata spoke candidly about the difficulty of withstanding De Filippo’s pressure, while the champion analyzed the flaws he still needs to correct despite his strong showing. Both deserve high praise for their sportsmanship and courage inside and outside the ring.