Grudge fight in Italy!

March 27, 2008

On Saturday, March 29, Salvatore Cherchi's OPI 2000 company will stage a big show at Palasport Villa Romiti in Forlì (Central Italy). In the main event, WBC flyweight champion Stefania Bianchini will defend against European flyweight titlist Simona Galassi.

The usual quiet Bianchini, has been incredibly aggressive during the week claiming to knock out Galassi because "She lacks experience at the highest level, has an amateur style and is in a lower class than my previous opponents." Stefania Bianchini has been WBC champion since August 7, 2005 and has defended the belt four times. Her record stands at 13 wins, 2 losses and 2 draws.

Being one the greatest amateurs ever, Simona Galassi responded that Bianchini's quotes are unbelivable: "In the amateur ranks, my record is 86-1 (I was robbed), I won three world championships (the first one, in the United States which got me a big article on Sports Illustrated Women), three European titles and defeated the very best from all over the globe. As a professional, I became European champion. I'm in perfect physical condition and there's no way she'll knock me out. All this verbal aggressivity, to me, is just a way to cover her true feelings: she is scared because she knows that I will win." Galassi's professional record comprises 6 wins, 1 draw and 1 no-contest.

The outcome of the fight is very uncertain because both ladies have great technique, but scarce power: Galassi scored only 3 wins within the distance, while Bianchini just 2. Once again, it will be a matter of "Styles make fights".

On the undercard, European Union light heavyweight champion Antonio Brancalion (29-6-2 with 7 KOs) will face in a non- title match David Greter (11-19-2).

Former European super featherweight champion Leva Kirakosyan (26-5 with 17 KOs) will fight Frederic Bonifai (34-31-4),

Talented lightweight Carel Sandon (3-0 with 1 KO), will have to beat journeymen Nikolay Michailov (3-25-1) if he wants to rise in the rankings. Sandon is nephew of the great Sumbu Kalambay,

Finally, Ottavio Di Leo (1-0-1) will square off against Renato Gogosevic (0-2).

The Bianchini-Galassi showdown will be broadcast, in Italy, by national television Italia 1.