Ralf Rocchigiani

Ralf Rocchigiani ( born February 13, 1963 in Rhine Oberhausen) is a German boxer who grew up in Duisburg -Hamborn and West Berlin. Sporty he often stood in the shadow of his younger brother Graciano, although Ralf Rocchigiani been certified by quite a few experts, the greater talent.

Career

Amateur

Ralf Rocchigiani punched his brother for the Neukölln sports friends, with whom he had the boxes also learned and gained 108 of his 125 amateur fights. In 1980 he became German Junior Champion, 1982 runner-up in the light heavyweight division. At the Junior European Championships 1982 in Schwerin, he took a third place. He also took part in the 1983 European Championship in Varna, failed there, but in the quarterfinals.

Professional

In September 1983, Rocchigiani signed a contract with manager Eberhard Thust and a contract with promoter Wilfried Sauerland. He began his professional career on November 5, 1983, a first-round knockout against Hans Gimborn. After a total of 13 fights without defeat Rocchigiani called for in December 1984 the German champion light heavyweight, Manfred Jassmann out. Here, Rocchigiani had to admit defeat in his career after ten rounds by the judges decision the first time. Half a year later, both boxers stood facing in a rematch. Again Jassmann could retain his title, but only by a draw. After this fight Rocchigiani boxed in August 1985 against Joseph Kossmann to the German championship title of the newly introduced weight class of the cruiserweight and won by termination in the second round.

Despite winning the title Ralf Rocchigiani was the beginning of his professional career as a little ambitious boxer, who did not use his potential enough. This first became clear, as Rocchigiani after a series of victorious battles against relatively unknown opponent in October 1986 was given the opportunity to fight an international title. Opponent was the European champion in the light heavyweight Alex Blanchard from the Netherlands. But Rocchigiani lame, because it 's not made ​​full use of opportunities, according to many observers. Ultimately, he was beaten in a total of colorless fight on points. At the same event, however, Graciano brother succeeded by winning the German championship against Jassmann what Ralf Rocchigiani had remained around one and a half years previously denied.

Following Ralf Rocchigiani defended the German Cruiserweight Championship three times, including against his old rival Manfred Jassmann, the first time he was able to conquer. In the spring of 1989, then offered for Rocchigiani another opportunity to the European title at light heavyweight fight may. Defending champion was another Dutchman Jan Lefeber. Both boxers knew each other well, as they had just eight months previously faced in a non-title fight. Could then Rocchigiani comparison for points to decide for themselves, so this time was the verdict of the judges to draw, which Rocchigiani again missed the European Championship title.

In the following two years Rocchigiani increased four times in the ring, including to another successful title defense in the cruiserweight division. However, he had to suffer two defeats. In May 1991, Ralf Rocchigiani challenged the German heavyweight champion Markus Bott. But, as in his two fights before EM Rocchigiani was beaten on points here again. The career of the native Duisburgers seemed to be coming to an end.

In October 1992, however, was allowed Ralf Rocchigiani first box against Tyrone Booze a world title at cruiserweight. The American was the title holder of the WBO. This world federation was only three years earlier and had not the reputation of the three established world organizations WBA, WBC and IBF. Therefore, the 33 -year-old from Clearwater was a streaky fight record of 16 wins from 28 fights compared to the title holders of the competition as a manageable task groups. However, although Rocchigiani this time, unlike many of his previous appearances provided a strong idea, could he again denied an international title. But despite the re- point defeat Rocchigiani was at least as the moral victor, because he could make the fight over long distances balanced.

1994 lost Rocchigiani, which was now changed to Universum Box-Promotion, finally, the German championship title against the then new German hopefuls Torsten May

Ralf Rocchi Giani time as the main fighters seemed to be over with the title loss. As on 10 June 1995 he got the offer to fight against the British Carl Thompson in his hometown of Manchester to the now vacant WBO cruiserweight title, his defeat was already scheduled. However, in his first professional fight outside Germany made ​​Rocchigiani the big favorites bitter opposition. Nevertheless, he had in the fifth round after a heavy hit the opponent for the first time in his career to the ground. With a special performance, the German but fought back in the fight and could, in turn, Thompson still beat the same lap to the floor. After both boxers had to survive even critical phases in the following rounds, Thompson gave a round at the end of the fight. Although the local hero was uncatchable at all three judges in leadership, it made ​​a shoulder injury impossible to continue fighting. Ralf Rocchigiani was with his first international title after Max Schmeling only the second German boxer who could win a world title overseas.

Rocchigiani defended that title six times, but even though many of his opponents failed to provide evidence of their class guilty, he could not always convince it. Against the 40 -year-old Nigerian Bash Ali, for example, the defending champion was only by a flattering point victory in the possession of the world champion belt. In the duel against Thompson reprint Rocchigiani missed, over two years after his title win, a renewed sensation and had to admit defeat this time to a large fight by majority decision. On 18 September 1999 Ralf Rocchigiani ended after a crash in the sixth round victory over the Czechs Andreas Wornowski his boxing career.

After the boxing career

After end of his career Ralf Rocchigiani coached his brother Graciano and commented beyond boxing matches on pay-TV channel Premiere. In addition Rocchigiani managed a pub at Savigny Platz in Berlin -Charlottenburg, but what he had to close in the summer of 2007. Ralf supported his brother Graciano Rocchigiani initially build its professional Boxstalls " Rocky's Gym" in Duisburg, in which both the boxer Ali Yıldırım and Richel Hersisia supervised. Since 2008, the two brothers go on business but their separate ways. While Graciano focused on his company in Duisburg, lives and works as a coach Ralf continues, including by Thomas Ulrich in Berlin.

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