The wait is almost over. On Saturday, July 4, Rome’s PalaTiziano will host one of the most anticipated boxing events of the year for Italian fans. The card, promoted by the Italian Boxing Federation (FPI) in collaboration with The Art Of Fighting and De Carolis Promotions, will celebrate the 110th anniversary of the FPI. In this article, we analyze the tactical keys to the four title fights on the card and offer our predictions.
Francesco Faraoni vs Giovanni Rossetti – Italian Middleweight Title
In our opinion, this is by far the hardest fight of the night to predict. Two technically skilled boxers who are still developing their full potential will square off, making it difficult to foresee how the contest will unfold.
Faraoni possesses an excellent left jab, quick footwork, and prefers to fight at long range. When given room to operate, he displays clean technique and outstanding ring generalship. He is less comfortable, however, when opponents pressure him aggressively, partly because he is not an overwhelming puncher and can struggle in close-range exchanges.
Rossetti is also an elegant boxer, but he has greater explosiveness. “Nino” already showcased this quality during his amateur career, although he has not always managed to capitalize on it as a professional, partly due to mental and emotional issues that have prevented him from performing at his best in previous title fights.
We believe Faraoni will have the upper hand whenever the pace slows, using his disciplined and effective boxing skills. Rossetti, on the other hand, should enjoy greater success if he can raise the tempo and force his opponent into exchanges at close quarters. His recent victory over Nicola Cristofori—despite the controversy surrounding the referee’s stoppage—may have given the Italian-Cuban the confidence boost needed to show more personality than ever before. Either way, we expect a razor-close fight.
Prediction: Giovanni Rossetti by decision.
Pamela Noutcho Sawa vs Jenny Tulcan – IBO Lightweight Title
IBO champion Pamela Noutcho will make the first defense of her title against a rather mysterious challenger. Colombia’s Jenny Tulcan has compiled an impressive-looking record of 14 wins from 14 fights, including eight knockouts, but all of those victories came in her home country against opponents with very modest résumés.
After some searching, we managed to find only one video of Tulcan in action, from her professional debut in November 2022, and we were not particularly impressed. At that time, she threw wild punches, frequently lost her balance while attacking, and displayed very raw technique.
We cannot rule out the possibility that the Colombian has improved significantly over the past four years, but Noutcho’s experience against opponents of a completely different caliber leads us to confidently favor the Italian champion. Pamela’s punching power, combined with her opponent’s aggressive and reckless style, could even produce a spectacular finish.
Prediction: Pamela Noutcho by knockout.
Angelo Morejon vs Antonio Carlesimo – Italian Heavyweight Title
An intriguing clash between two undefeated fighters will determine the Italian heavyweight champion. The two contenders enter the bout with nearly identical professional records: both have ten victories, with Carlesimo scoring nine knockouts and Morejon seven.
While the numbers are similar, their styles are anything but. Morejon is an elegant boxer who controls fights behind his jab and moves fluidly around the ring between combinations. Carlesimo, meanwhile, is a classic stocky puncher with heavy hands who marches relentlessly forward, loads up on most of his punches, and constantly looks for the knockout.
In our opinion, Morejon comes into this fight with considerably more experience than his opponent. His extensive amateur career in Cuba saw him face some of boxing’s finest talents, while his recent professional bouts have come against credible, high-quality opposition.
Carlesimo will undoubtedly fight with his usual determination and try to impose his superior physical strength. However, his tendency to leave himself exposed during attacks, combined with Morejon’s excellent accuracy and polished technique, suggests that sooner or later he could be caught by a devastating counterpunch capable of ending the fight.
Prediction: Angelo Morejon by knockout.
Mauro Forte vs Vincenzo Picardi – European Silver Bantamweight Title
This promises to be a superb contest between two of the most technically accomplished and entertaining boxers on the Italian scene.
Picardi’s résumé speaks for itself. The former Italian amateur star gained invaluable experience competing around the world in the sport’s most prestigious tournaments, developing unquestionable technical skills that he has frequently displayed in the professional ranks.
Mauro Forte is equally gifted. He possesses excellent fundamentals, impressive tactical intelligence, and a varied, unpredictable offensive arsenal. Moreover, his move down from featherweight to bantamweight suggests that he previously gave away significant physical advantages against larger opponents and could prove even more effective in his new weight class.
Age could prove decisive on Saturday night. Picardi will turn 43 in October and, for obvious biological reasons, can no longer be at his athletic peak. If he were facing a static, one-dimensional opponent, we would still be tempted to back the Olympic bronze medalist because of his vast experience and ring craft. Forte, however, is anything but that type of fighter.
The contest could remain competitive during the early rounds before the younger Roman gradually takes control through his superior freshness and stamina, building a lead on the scorecards. For that to happen, however, Forte must maintain a consistently high pace and intensity throughout the fight.
Prediction: Mauro Forte by decision.