In the magnificent setting of Piazza del Popolo in Ascoli Piceno, hometown favorite Eros Seghetti (13-1-1, 5 KOs) captured the vacant EBU Silver light heavyweight title last night by forcing Bosnia’s Enid Numanovic (25-2-0, 13 KOs) to retire after a highly tactical contest. A determined seventh-round surge saw the Italian finally let his hands go, overwhelming his opponent with a sustained barrage of punches. The victory, officially a seventh-round TKO, crowned the event promoted by Team Magnesi and A&B Events, and could pave the way for even bigger opportunities.
Seghetti was faced with a capable opponent whose style was almost the complete opposite of his own. Both fighters are generally more comfortable boxing off the back foot, but they displayed very different approaches: Seghetti fought with composure, a tight high guard, and constant movement, while Numanovic was more stationary, less defensively compact, yet more explosive, making good use of his right jab from the southpaw stance and always looking to unleash a dangerous left hand.
The opening rounds were dominated by a lengthy feeling-out process. Numanovic established his jab early, keeping Seghetti cautious. The Italian remained focused and ready to respond, but for much of the first half of the fight both men appeared to be waiting for the other’s initiative or mistake, turning the contest into something of a tactical chess match in which neither fighter wanted to take unnecessary risks.
Seghetti’s boxing looked cleaner and more disciplined, whereas Numanovic appeared slightly more explosive but also more prone to throwing wide punches.
The bout remained highly tactical, partly because of the tension surrounding the occasion. In the fourth round, Seghetti attempted to increase the pressure, but Numanovic defended effectively behind his jab and lead hook.
Urged on by his corner, Seghetti gradually became more aggressive after an overly cautious start. Nevertheless, the Bosnian continued to rely on his best weapons—the jab and the right uppercut—to disrupt the Italian’s attacks, although without causing significant damage. By the end of the fifth round, meaningful punches had been few and far between.
Numanovic’s jab remained a key factor throughout the fight, repeatedly discouraging Seghetti from launching his combinations.
Despite that, Seghetti stayed calm and composed, patiently waiting for the right opening to land his straight right hand. That punch began finding its target early in the sixth round. A powerful left hook late in the session visibly shook Numanovic, who immediately tied up to avoid Seghetti’s follow-up attack. From that moment on, the hometown fighter grew in confidence, and even his jab became sharper and heavier.
With his corner urging him forward, Seghetti maintained an almost serene composure despite their animated instructions. Whatever was said between rounds clearly worked. In the seventh, the Italian came out determined to let his hands go. While Seghetti continued to move well and remain light on his feet, Numanovic steadily faded, becoming increasingly static as the fight wore on.
A fierce offensive sequence, beginning with a crisp right uppercut followed by a left hook and a chopping right hook, immediately put the Bosnian in serious trouble. Numanovic attempted to answer with his left hand but achieved little. Another left uppercut rocked him again before Seghetti connected with two consecutive straight-right/left-hook combinations, forcing his opponent to take a knee for the first knockdown of the fight.
Although Numanovic got back to his feet, he looked exhausted and repeatedly tried to clinch. Seghetti capitalized by landing another hard right hand.
Saved by the bell, Numanovic chose not to come out for the eighth round, sparing himself what was likely to become an even more punishing finish. It is worth noting that the Bosnian remained mentally alert and showed no visible cuts, but fatigue had clearly taken over several rounds earlier, leaving him increasingly vulnerable to a relentless and physically well-prepared Seghetti.
For Eros Seghetti, the victory could now open the door to an even more prestigious opportunity: a shot at the European light heavyweight title.