Birmingham’s Gamal Yafai scored a notable win on the road with a unanimous decision over Luca Rigoldi to clinch the European 122lbs crown at the Allianz Cloud in Milan, Italy, on Thursday night.
Yafai (18-1, 10 KOs) had been out of action for 13 months after rupturing both biceps, but his slicker work shone through in a good action bout against steely southpaw Rigoldi. Scores were 116-112 (twice) and a too wide 119-109.
The Birmingham man’s more precise and cultured boxing was the difference. Reigning champion Rigoldi (22-2-2, 8 KOs) shipped some hefty shots, but applied persistent pressure throughout though his work was slower and more predictable.
Finishing strongly, Yafai’s sharp body blows and superior timing thoroughly merited the verdict and the win revitalises his career after a March 2018 decision loss to Gavin McDonnell steadied his rise.
On the same bill, 39-year-old lightweight Devis Boschiero (47-6-2, 22 KOs) eked out a split decision over Samuel Gonzalez (22-8, 13 KOs). Scores were 96-94 (twice) against a 96-94 nod for Venezuelan Gonzalez, a late sub for the world-rated Francesco Patera who withdrew after contracting Covid-19.
Meanwhile, France’s all-action IBF super-featherweight champion Maiva Hamadouche (22-1, 18 KOs) sharpened up for a potential unification fight with WBC title-holder Terri Harper by overwhelming the game Nina Pavlovic (6-4-1, 1 KO) in the eighth. The Serbian challenger was down in the second and fifth rounds.