As every year, this is the time to assess how boxing can take a leap in quality to reclaim its rightful place among the nation’s top sports, as it once held in the past. Unfortunately, in recent decades, we have mostly sought solutions to stay afloat, resulting in making the Italian boxing crisis a permanent condition.
Looking back, the boom of the ’80s and ’90s stands out, marked by major stables (Totip, Fernet Branca, Chiabolotti, etc.). Boxing was often front-page news in the media, and the internal policies of the Federation were closely tied to promoters who ensured a solid career path for ambitious, hardworking athletes, allowing them to compete with top international boxers.
Unfortunately, a fracture emerged when amateur boxing began to receive greater protection within the Federation, leaving the management of professionals solely in the hands of their promoters. This was a huge mistake, as professional boxers often signed short-term contracts, usually annual, without the continuity needed to build a career leading to significant titles.
Moreover, boxers had to fund their careers out of their own pockets because their only income came from match purses. No offense to anyone, but today, for young athletes to practice boxing, willpower alone is not enough—they also need financial stability to sustain themselves. It’s rare for a young person to commit to such a demanding sport, both physically and mentally, without economic security.
From the 2000s onward, various attempts were made to attract sponsors and TV networks as in the past, but with no success. Among the gravest errors, the first was issuing too many teaching certifications to individuals who understand barely 20% of what is truly needed about boxing. The second was failing to adequately protect athletes in every possible way. Lastly, funds provided by CONI were not utilized to promote the sport in schools or other organizations in a fun yet educational manner, countering the violent image often portrayed by the media.
Boxing instructors must communicate clearly to young athletes, emphasizing that the sport should be practiced responsibly and that techniques learned in the gym should never be used outside the ring to harm others for mere amusement.
Another misstep occurred with the creation of the Pro League, which pushed some athletes towards professionalism before they had reached an adequate level. This allowed the Federation to retain top-tier athletes from organizations like Fiamme Oro and the Armed Forces on the national amateur team, securing more chances for medals in the Olympics, World, and European Championships, and collecting related rewards from CONI. However, it effectively bound these athletes to amateur boxing for their entire careers.
Another issue is the lack of unity and collaboration among Italian gyms to help athletes grow technically, ensuring a steady generational renewal. Boxing is an individual sport that thrives on healthy competition, but jealousy and self-promotion often prevail due to unqualified individuals who prefer to seek attention rather than focus on the progress of each athlete training in the gym.
All this has distanced families—who once even discussed boxing at the dinner table—from the sport itself.