Emiliano Marsili retires. He does so as a victor, as one would expect from someone who finished the vast majority of his fights with his hand raised. He retires in Civitavecchia, in front of his people, who cheer and applaud him endlessly to thank him for the many emotions he has given them during over two decades of professional boxing. He retires against a young man, Colombian Eber Tobar, who, despite being less than half his age, was dominated from start to finish and even came close to being knocked out in the final, exhilarating round. But let’s take a step back.
In 2009, I was 20 years old. These were the times when I started following national and international boxing; my knowledge of the sport was basic and limited. Back then, Roman fighters Pasquale Di Silvio and Simone Califano, a technician and a brawler, were battling for the Italian lightweight title, and to me, they seemed incredibly strong.
Then came the Lombard destroyer Luca Marasco, who convincingly defeated both of them, one after the other. I thought to myself, “Wow! This guy is a bulldozer. If he beat Califano and Di Silvio, he’s bound to go far.”
So, on May 21, 2010, when Marasco defended his Italian title against Emiliano Marsili, I tuned into the live broadcast expecting to see another dominant performance from the reigning champion. I confess I didn’t know Marsili: footage of his previous attempt at the title against Giovanni Niro in 2006 was impossible to find, and in the four years since, the Civitavecchia native had remained under the radar, fighting in lower-profile matches.
What I saw that night shocked me: Marsili gave Marasco a boxing lesson, landing blows from every angle and stopping him after nine one-sided rounds. From that moment, Marsili’s fights became a must-see event for me, because beyond the titles won and the milestones achieved, what Marsili consistently provided to boxing fans throughout his long career was sheer entertainment.
From dominant victories over unfortunate Italian opponents to the unforgettable night in Liverpool when he overwhelmed Derry Matthews, from the two wild rounds that crushed Luca Giacon’s dreams to last year’s brave but unfortunate trip to face the towering Gavin Gwynne, every chapter of Emiliano Marsili’s story was worth the price of admission.
Last night’s fight was no exception. Starting off a bit tense, perhaps due to the inevitable emotions tied to the nearing end of his career, Tizzo (Marsili’s nickname) found his rhythm by the end of the first round and from that point on, controlled his young opponent with authority and determination.
Intimidated by the hometown hero’s presence and ring mastery, Tobar was hesitant, reluctant to engage in tough exchanges, and focused primarily on defense. Even when he tried to launch his right hand, the Colombian couldn’t find his range, as Marsili’s footwork effortlessly nullified his attempts.
The Italian boxer paced himself carefully, conserving energy while winning every round with superior accuracy and technical skill. In the eighth round, Marsili landed his trademark shot: a powerful left hook that sent Tobar to the canvas, igniting the crowd’s excitement.
There was perhaps an opportunity to pounce on Tobar and try to finish the fight, but Marsili chose to apply measured pressure until the bell rang, avoiding any reckless attempts to force a stoppage.
The tenth and final round was unforgettable: knowing he was about to fight the last three minutes of his career, Marsili emptied the tank, subjecting the hapless Colombian to a relentless barrage that brought him to the brink of collapse. A thoroughly exhausted Tobar clung desperately to his opponent, smiling with relief as the final bell rang.
In the post-fight interview, visibly emotional, the Civitavecchia boxer admitted that he didn’t want to punish such a young fighter, content to finish his career with a victory, without chasing a knockout that wouldn’t have added anything to his already impressive resume. This was yet another confirmation of the “gentleman of the ring” reputation that Tizzo has embodied throughout his 21 years in the sport.
So, Emiliano Marsili retires, and now a new chapter begins, but we’re sure it won’t take him too far from the ring. The wealth of experience he has gained over his boxing journey deserves to be passed on to future generations. Perhaps it will be Marsili’s guidance and example that one day leads a rising star to give us the same kind of thrills that Emiliano has provided through his unforgettable battles.