Graciano Rocchigiani
| Graciano Rocchigiani | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Graciano Rocchigiani |
| Nickname(s) | Rocky |
| Rated at | Light Heavyweight |
| Nationality | German |
| Born | December 29, 1963 Duisburg-Rheinhausen, Germany |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 48 |
| Wins | 41 |
| Wins by KO | 19 |
| Losses | 6(1KO) |
| Draws | 1 |
Graciano "Rocky" Rocchigiani (born December 29, 1963), is a former German professional boxer who held world titles in the super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. He was born in Duisburg-Rheinhausen, Germany.
Contents |
[edit] Professional career
Rocchigiani turned pro in 1983 after a successful amateur career in which he was the 1982 German light middleweight National Amateur champion. In 1988 he captured the vacant IBF super middleweight title by stopping Vincent Boulware, and defended the title three times before vacating to step up to the light heavyweight division. After limited success, he moved back down and in 1994 challenged WBO super middleweight title holder Chris Eubank in Berlin, Germany, and lost by decision.
Rocchigiani moved back up to light heavyweight, and took on Henry Maske in 1995 for the IBF title. He lost the fight, and the rematch later in the year, by unanimous decision. In 1996 he lost via disqualification to WBO light heavyweight title holder Dariusz Michalczewski after hitting Michalczewski on the break. Michalczewski's prolonged, theatrical reaction to the punch was seen by many as way of getting out of a fight he was losing. Initially the result was a technical draw, later changed to a disqualification.
In 1998, Rocchigiani captured the vacant WBC light heavyweight title by defeating Michael Nunn by split decision, but was later stripped of the title, with the WBC claiming it was only the interim title he won in the first place.
Rocchigiani again challenged Michalczewski for the WBO and Lineal title in 2000, but lost via a 10th round TKO. After a short lived comeback in 2003 after a two year layoff, he retired from boxing.
Although he was a notable champion, Rocchigiani's most significant achievement was his victory in a lawsuit in 1998 against the WBC, in which he was awarded a $31 million judgment for damages over the loss of his light heavyweight title.[1] The court ruling also retroactively declared him champion from when he beat Nunn until his rematch defeat to Michalczewski[2]. When the WBC announced its intentions to dissolve, he settled for an undisclosed sum.[3]
In 2006, he was sentenced to five months in jail[4] for assaulting a taxi driver.[5]
Graciano is the younger brother of former WBO cruiserweight champion Ralf Rocchigiani, who also served as Graciano's trainer during the latter stages of his career.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Rafael, Dan., Bankruptcy could spell doom for WBC, USA Today, 2004-06-13, Retrieved on 2007-04-26.
- ^ http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Graciano_Rocchigiani_vs._Michael_Nunn
- ^ AP., New life for WBC, USA Today, 2004-08-25, Retrieved on 2007-04-26.
- ^ Boxing: Ex-champ jailed over fight, Taipeitimes.com, 2006-08-13, Retrieved on 2007-04-26.
- ^ Rocchigiani handed assault charge, CNN.com, 2004-12-07, Retrieved on 2007-04-26.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Chong-Pal Park Vacated |
IBF Super Middleweight Champion 11 March 1988–1989 Vacates |
Succeeded by Lindell Holmes |
| Titles in pretence | ||
|---|---|---|
| Vacant
Title last held by
Len Harvey |
WBC Light Heavyweight Champion 21 March 1998 – April 15 2000 |
Lost bid for WBO title |
