Two Italian superstars Roberto Cammarelle and Domenico Valentino might have a hard time in Baku. Both of them will give their best to defend the throne they secured two years ago in Milan.
Cammarelle's collection of medals is almost full, excluding the European Championship title. But the most important gold medal, the Olympic one, is already in his bag. In Milan, he was defending the World Championships gold he got in Chicago back in 2007. If he reaches his target in Baku, he will be one of the very few to win three gold medals in a row.
Valentino was magnificent at the 2009 AIBA World Championships. But last year he had some unexpected losses at the international level. He performed well during the WSB season as a member of the Dolce & Gabbana Milano Thunder Franchise and secured a silver medal at the European Championships in Ankara. That to say: he is back on the most glorious way.
Former AIBA World Champion and Olympic Games silver medallist, veteran Clemente Russo already reached the Olympic quota with the WSB Individual Championships. That is why the Italian squad contains nine boxers excluding the heavyweight.
Italy's best light flyweight boxer is veteran Alex Ferramosca who moved down a division this year. Although he won his first national title in 2005, it will be his first in such a huge tournament.
Italy's flyweight No.1, 28-year-old Vincenzo Picardi has won a bronze medal in each major tournament he has participated in such as AIBA World Championships, Beijing Olympic Games and European Championships. His main goal is now to reach the final in Baku but in fact he would also be satisfied with a ticket to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Beijing Olympian and Mediterranean Games winner, 28-year-old Vittorio Parrinello joined the national team in 2005. The 1m71 boxer has never won a medal in a major AIBA event, but his WSB experience might help to reach this success.
Vincenzo Mangiacapre secured a bronze medal at the European Championships in June. He surprisingly defeated Europe's top light welterweight boxer, Gyula Kate for the medal and actually got his revenge on the Hungarian because of last year's defeat.
The youngest team member is National Champion, 21-year-old Danilo Creati who will fight in the welterweight class in Baku following his debut at the European Championships in Ankara. Creati still need to improve and this AIBA World Championships might be a good opportunity for him to do so.
Middleweight multiple National Champion and former European Schoolboy Champion, Luca Podda participated in the last edition of the AIBA World Championships in front of his the home crowd, in Milan. He has now raised his experience with WSB and will expect performing well in Baku.
Newly crowned National Champion, Simone Fiori demonstrated his excellent skills this year and could be Italy's secret weapon in Baku. The young Italian won a gold medal at the Vllaznia Memorial Tournament in Albania where he triumphed over reigning Kazakh National Champion, Almat Serimov.
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