Italian boxing is mourning the loss of former Italian and European champion Elio Cotena, who has passed away at the age of 80. The sad news was announced by his son, Luciano.
Born and raised in the Mergellina district of Naples, Cotena displayed his talent from the very beginning of his amateur career. He won the Italian national championships twice, earning a place on the Italian national team. In 1967, he captured the gold medal at the Mediterranean Games in Algiers before representing Italy at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. Elio was eliminated in the second round by Soviet boxer Valery Plotnikov, who edged him on points in a very close fight.
Determined to put that disappointment behind him, Cotena turned professional, a decision that proved to be the right one. A two-time Italian featherweight champion, the Neapolitan boxer reached the pinnacle of European boxing in February 1975, when he knocked out Spain’s Jose Antonio Jimenez in the eleventh round in his hometown of Naples, avenging the controversial defeat he had suffered in Madrid one year earlier.
Elio successfully defended the European title four times before losing it in Spain by technical knockout against local favorite Nino Jimenez. He was then unsuccessful in his attempt to become European super featherweight champion, as Lombardy’s Natale Vezzoli defeated him on points in Brescia.
Cotena retired with a professional record of 38 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw, leaving the sport on a winning note. His final victory came in Ischia against France’s Charles Jurietti, despite fighting with a fractured jaw sustained during the opening rounds.
After hanging up his gloves, Elio remained deeply involved in boxing as a promoter and manager. He worked with champions such as Sumbu Kalambay, Patrizio Oliva, Gianfranco Rosi, and Giovanni Parisi, organizing more than 1,700 boxing events.
The funeral will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, July 1, at 5:00 p.m. at the Church of St. Anthony in Posillipo.
Boxe Punch extends its deepest condolences to the family of our great champion and to everyone who loved him.