Boxing, Cardillo vs Giustini: the Italian heavyweight title live streaming tonight on Repubblica

The heavyweights, and just rewind the tape a few days on the match between Joshua and Dubois, are undoubtedly the most fascinating category in boxing. If we add the importance of an Italian title, here is the tricolor challenge of Scandicci between Gianmarco Cardillo and Eduardo Giustini, which Repubblica will offer live streaming on Saturday starting from 9.45pm (commentator Jack Brunelli, technical commentary by former world champion Alessandro Duran), It’s one not to be missed.

Cardillo, the champion: “I was shy, I never fought with anyone”

The champion is Gianmarco Cardillo from Cassino: 35 years old, 12 victories in as many matches. Of these only two before the limit, a decidedly low percentage given that we are talking about maximums: “I am a technician, it is no coincidence that my legend is Muhammad Ali. I miss the knockout blow, it’s true, but in our category never say never, if a punch lands precisely and powerfully it’s painful.” Champion since July 2023, after a defense in Ferrara against Venturelli, this is the second time he has put the belt up for grabs. And he will do it away: “Up to a certain point, a bus of my fans will arrive from Cassimo and they will certainly make themselves heard.”

A passion for boxing that began as a teenager: “First with kickboxing, but I soon realized that I liked throwing punches more.” No difficult history behind him: “I was an absolutely shy kid, never got into fights. In fact, sometimes I let a few too many words go by…”. He is carefully following the rise of Guido Vianello, who recently entered the world rankings that count: “My dream would be to have a meeting with him, perhaps on American territory. A dream and, precisely, an honor.” However, his current area is Italian boxing, which often means sacrifice: “I work in the army, I commute from Cassino to Rome every day to go to the Granatieri di Sardegna, in Pietralata. I don’t fight for the armed forces but on a personal basis, my training always takes place outside working hours.” Married to Manuela (“When I met her I told her that she would have to share me with two passions, boxing and work”) and three daughters: “What if they wanted to do boxing? This sport is discipline and I recommend it to everyone. But I don’t know if they wanted to take up competitive racing, because it’s really tough.” On the future: “I am challenging for the heavyweight Ebu Silver (a sort of European semi-final, ed.), but first I think about the match with Giustini, with humility and without proclamations”

Giustini, the challenger. “I come from Florentine football, I loved fights. But boxing turned me into a better person.”

The story of Giustini, also 35 years old, from Florence, is more ‘pugilistic’. The challenger immediately clarifies: “Boxing represented the classic turning point in my life. I started early, at 11 years old, but I started to get serious when I met maestro Leonardo Turchi (former Italian champion and challenger to the European title, ed.). I’m someone who comes from the street, a crazy head who really liked to fight. My father Alessandro, known as Bussi, is a legend of Florentine football. In San Frediano, where I come from, historic football is religion. I also played it with collateral situations, such as going out at night and getting into fights. But now I’m a hermit, I’m already in bed at half past nine.”

Also because Giustini always gets up early in the morning. He is a butcher in a historic shop in Florence: “I leave the house at 4.30 in the morning, I’m at work at 5. I’ll finish at 3pm, and then I’ll start training.” He has more victories before the limit than the champion (6 out of 16 victories), but also 3 defeats. He has already been champion of Italy, a title won against D’Adamo, ironically another boxer from Cassino. He defines himself as technical as his opponent (“Ali and currently Usyk are my inspirations”). He will fight in front of his fans: “The match is organized by Rosanna Conti Cavini, but if we managed to fight at home I also owe a lot to the many sponsors who contributed. By the way, I make an appeal to the fans. Come in large numbers, don’t leave me alone.” A partner and three children: “Twelve, 7 and one year old. The first two are attracted to football for now, I hope they can divert to boxing which is much more educational.” And for Cardillo, no message from a ‘street kid’: “I never bite off more than I can chew, I’m very superstitious and prefer to talk after the fact.” Before the Italian title, Repubblica users will be able to watch two sub-highlight matches, both over 6 rounds: Thomas vs White for the featherweights and Bachi vs Stojanovic for the average ones.