English boxing: the pro goal of young balanin Hugo Saoli

The young Balanin, trained at the BCA and the Ring Bastiais, chose to settle this year in Paris then in Nice to satisfy his passion for boxing. Already fifteen amateur fights for this super-lightweight left-hander who gives himself all the means to become a professional

The last time Hugo Saoli stepped into a Corsican ring was in May 2019. At Pascal Rossini. For his eighth amateur fight, this super-lightweight had overcome an opponent from Nice, on points. After which, the pandemic, the confinement had stopped the Noble Art for two years. But for the child of Pietralba, in Balagne, no question of forgetting his gloves at the bottom of a cupboard. Six months ago, he decided to live his sport with an extra intensity. ” I thought about itexplains in a calm voice this young man of almost 22 years. Since I started boxing, a little over four years ago at the BCA, I have found a sport that fulfills me. With my coach at Ring Bastiais, Jean-Mathieu Albertini, I talked about my desire to go to the continent to box, to have more fights, more sparring. He understood perfectly. “Last September, he left for the capital, putting down his bag at the Sporting Club de Levallois and its famous Marcel Cerdan gymnasium. If the club is known for its judo section where, among others, Teddy Riner and Priscilla Gneto have passed, it is also an official supplier of fencing champions. And on the boxing side, he counts in his guestbook, a super-lightweight – well, WBA world champion in 2006: Souleymane M’Baye. This is where Hugo Saoli will be welcomed by coach Turan Bagci, a former light heavyweight pro.

The Île de France, a small paradise for boxers

« It was exactly what I wantedcontinues the young Corsican: training with different partners as often as possible, advice and then fights. To tell the truth, still because of the health crisis, these only resumed at the end of November 2021. But from this period, every 15 days there was the possibility of climbing on a ring for a gala, an evening. »

At the end of November, it won near Créteil. Then on December 4 in Rosny sous Bois. And again on December 17 in Chelles, in Seine et Marne. This left-hander has gained muscle, peaks at 64 kilos and above all has progressed physically, technically and mentally. ” He really has a good boxing and a huge cardioanalyzes his heart coach, Jean-Mathieu Albertini. Competition obviously makes him improve. But he is above all a passionate person, someone determined. During the pandemic, when the gym was closed, he came to my house and we trained in the garage, the old way. However, the Parisian adventure is not so simple. If boxing delights him more than ever, if he is still working (” since I was 17, I earn my living whether it’s a server like now or also in the building “), life in Paris is difficult. Especially since his girlfriend is in Nice. He turns once again to his coach from Ring Bastiais, who reassures him and directs him to a reputable club: the Pugilist Club Niçois. After the end of the year celebrations, he arrives on the Promenade des Anglais. ” I was lucky enough to quickly find a place in a brasserie, from 6 am to noon. That leaves me the whole end of the day to train with great coaches. I’m at the gym five days a week. And on weekends I run. »

“There is a lot of work, I know it”

Holder of a double license in both clubs, he returned to a ring in early February in Languedoc-Roussillon, for a short defeat on points. Nothing to dampen his enthusiasm. The following weekend he is at Veaujour, in Seine-Saint-Denis, for a victory. And on Saturday, Hugo played in the quarter-finals of the Val-de-Marne cup. So here he is with fifteen fights on the clock. For four losses. And amateur fights in 3X3′, even without a helmet, are no longer the only objective. ” What I want above all is to progress. Because I love it, to cross the levels in my sport. Deep inside me, there is the idea of ​​turning pro one day. But it’s a lot of work, I know. And it will also depend on what my coaches tell me… I remember Jo Legato very well at Ring Bastiais when I started. He was a pro, I watched his training, I listened to him and I also knew his sacrifices. It is a good example for me. »

For Jean-Mathieu Albertini, Hugo Saoli has all the qualities to become a professional in the next 18 months at this rate of fights. Knowing that he needs at least 20, a majority of victories, as well as participation in a championship. In April, the Corsican super-lightweight will be in Nice for the gala of his new club. He hopes more than ever to be able to box before the summer on his island, in front of his family, in front of his friends. ” Because I miss it... »

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