We are publishing the press release from TAF (The Art of Fighting) on the full programme for the event scheduled for November 21 at Milan’s Allianz Cloud, headlined by the bout between Clemente Russo and Mohamed Elmaghraby.
On Saturday, November 21, TAF – The Art of Fighting will make a spectacular return to Milan’s Allianz Cloud, with a programme packed with high-level boxing and entertainment, to be broadcast exclusively on Mediaset networks.
Nine professional boxing bouts will take place, including a historic main event, a co-main event for the EBU Silver title (formerly the European Union title), and three other fights with Italian national titles at stake. The public has responded enthusiastically, selling out the curves, ringside area and stands. Tickets are still available for the second tier.
Edoardo Germani, Founder of TAF, presented the event as follows: “We have worked on an event featuring a wide variety of fights, all of them interesting and with uncertain outcomes. We have the return of an Italian legend, another attempt on the European stage by one of our most gifted talents, all-Italian derbies to crown undisputed champions, and much more. I expect an exhilarating evening that people will be talking about for a long time.”
Looking at the card, the main event will feature the highly anticipated return of Clemente Russo, who will make his professional debut at the age of 44 after making Italian boxing history at the Olympic Games and World Championships as an amateur. His opponent will be unbeaten Mohamed Elmaghraby (15-0), a former Italian and international champion who has won almost half of his fights by knockout.
Elmaghraby is 14 years younger than Russo, but he will be asked to fight 13 kilograms above his usual weight class, as the bout will take place at a catchweight limit of 93 kilograms over eight rounds. The fight has sparked debate and divided public opinion ever since it was announced, and at TAF 14 it will finally receive its verdict in the ring.
In the co-main event, Francesco Paparo (13-2, one draw) will make another attempt at the EBU Silver super-featherweight title, just six months after his defeat to Gomez following a closely contested battle. Paparo will face another Spaniard, Alex de la Rosa (11-1), who is determined to spoil his plans.
Just before that, the arena will be shaken by the power of the light-heavyweights, with Paul Amefiam (8-0) and Vincenzo Lizzi (4-1) facing off for the Italian national title. Amefiam is unbeaten and known for his heavy hands and exceptional physical strength, while Lizzi boasts an outstanding amateur career with the national team, which has given him extensive experience and ring craft.
Next comes the rematch between Valerio Mantovani (7-1) and Francesco Magrì (9-0, one draw) for the Italian super-welterweight title. Magrì won their first encounter after causing a nasal injury to his opponent, who was stopped by the doctors in the sixth round at the end of an exhilarating, toe-to-toe contest. The same kind of battle is expected in the rematch, with the belt currently held by Magrì.
Another fight featuring an Italian title will see Yassin Hermi (16-3, one draw) take on Riccardo Valentino (9-4) at super-middleweight. Hermi is a solid, hungry and dangerous fighter who has been chasing this belt for some time, while defending champion Valentino has scored 90% of his victories by knockout and has often fought abroad. The bout promises to be a razor-close contest, fully in keeping with the TAF philosophy.
Also returning to action will be Akrem Aouina (14-2), who will face Damiano Falcinelli (17-4, two draws) in a clash between former Italian champions. Aouina established himself on the international scene before suffering a recent heavy knockout defeat to a tough English fighter. Falcinelli has challenged for a minor European title twice abroad, losing both times on points. Both men arrive at the Allianz Cloud more motivated than ever.
At the start of the evening, veteran Maxim Prodan (25-3, one draw) will face Federico Schinina (12-5), a former EU title challenger, at super-welterweight. Yohan Acosta (5-0), a fighter to keep an eye on for the future, will take on the tricky Stiven Leonetti Dredhaj (13-6, one draw) at light-heavyweight, while former Italian champion Roberto Lizzi (10-2) will seek revenge against Morike Oulare (8-1) at cruiserweight, two years after losing their first encounter on points.
Tickets are available here: https://ticket.taftheartofighting.com/it/shop/biglietti
Full Programme
MAIN EVENT. Mohamed Elmaghraby (15-0) vs. Clemente Russo (0-0) – 93 kg Catchweight
CO-MAIN EVENT. Francesco Paparo (13-2, one draw) vs. Alex de la Rosa (11-1) – EBU Silver Title, Super-Featherweight
Paul Amefiam (8-0) vs. Vincenzo Lizzi (4-1) – Italian Title, Light-Heavyweight
Valerio Mantovani (7-1) vs. Francesco Magrì (9-0, one draw) II – Italian Title, Super-Welterweight
Yassin Hermi (16-3, one draw) vs. Riccardo Valentino (9-4) – Italian Title, Super-Middleweight
Akrem Aouina (14-2) vs. Damiano Falcinelli (17-4, two draws) – Super-Welterweight
Maxim Prodan (25-3, one draw) vs. Federico Schinina (12-5) – Super-Welterweight
Yohan Acosta (5-0) vs. Stiven Leonetti Dredhaj (13-6, one draw) – Light-Heavyweight
Roberto Lizzi (10-2) vs. Morike Oulare (8-1) – Cruiserweight