Last night in Sardinia, at the Pala Expo in Calangianus, the event organized by Promo Boxe Italia and GP Aurora Calangianus proved to be exciting and full of twists. Two titles were on the line: the EBU Silver super bantamweight title between Eloyan and De Rosa, won by our fighter (click here for our report), and the Italian super middleweight title between Andrea Aroni (11-1), the reigning champion and local favorite, and Riccardo Valentino (8-4).
In a surprise result, Valentino won and took the belt from his opponent with a ninth-round KO, in a match that was far from simple or predictable.
At the sound of the bell, the fight started at a slow pace, with both fighters observing and studying each other. Tense and cautious, they exchanged only a few punches, with Aroni trying to land a few rights inside Valentino’s guard.
Valentino came out more aggressive in the second round, trying some body shots, while Aroni kept looking to connect a straight left with precision.
In the third round, Valentino pressed forward, but Aroni responded with nice two-handed combinations. The reigning champion was visibly faster than his opponent in the fourth round as well, with Aroni’s quick counters landing effectively, especially the straight right.
Midway through the fight, Valentino tried to land more punches, but he struggled to find the right distance against his opponent, who continued to respond and remained quicker. Aroni’s straight left consistently found its mark inside the challenger’s guard—a very tactical game plan from the Sardinian fighter.
Valentino knew he had to give more to win the title, but Aroni, both in the sixth and seventh rounds, continued to dictate the pace, staying faster, waiting, and countering with effective combinations, seemingly in control of the fight.
Both corners were vocal, adding intensity to this crucial phase. Aroni continued to land two-handed combinations—hook-straight-hook—while Valentino tried with some single shots but never imposed serious pressure.
By the ninth round, the hometown fighter was clearly ahead on the scorecards. The situation looked very difficult for the challenger from Marcianise, but suddenly he landed a right hook that sent the champion to the canvas. Aroni tried to get up, but his legs gave out, and the referee stopped the fight.
An incredible match, with Aroni having controlled his opponent perfectly for eight rounds, before Valentino landed a precise right in the ninth with the champion against the ropes, earning the title of new Italian super middleweight champion.
After all, nothing can be taken for granted in the ring: anything can happen, and tonight the fighter from Marcianise landed the right punch at the right time. Full credit to him for staying persistent, not getting discouraged by the tough situation, and overcoming the points deficit.