Mario D’Agata, the former World Bantamweight Champion, sadly passed away on Saturday at 1 p.m. He was 83.

Less than a month ago he was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness (whose nature has not been revealed). He was domestic, European and world champion, the second Italian in history after Primo Carnera. He also holds the distinction of being the first deaf and dumb boxer to become a world champion. A memorial service was held today at 3 p.m. in Florence. He leaves his wife Luana, his daughter Anna Maria and Carlotta, his beloved niece. Mario D’Agata’s story has been told in a book published in 2006 (fifity years after he won the bantam world title against Robert Cohen), whose title is “Un aretino sul tetto del mondo”.

Sad days for Italian boxing as Giovanni Parisi also passed away in a tragic accident less than two weeks ago.

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