Noè Cruciani

As an amateur domestically, Noè Cruciani had a record of 36-0, of which about 20 were stopped by knockout. He then joined the national team, competing in Cairo, Djakarta, and Berlin, and obtaining invaluable experience.

His period with the national team was also troubled by weight problems and attempts to perfect his defensive technique under the guidance of Franco Falcinelli and Gianni Burli. In 1983, at the World Cup held in Roma, he defeated American Virgil Hill in the semifinal, who would win Olympic silver medal a year later. Cruciani qualified for Los Angeles by winning the Acropolis Tournament in Athina but at the 1984 Olympics he was beaten in round two, also breaking his hand.

Cruciani turned pro in February 1985 and after nine bouts with eight wins and one draw, he went on to compete victoriously for the Italian light-heavyweight title on 24 May 1986 in Spoleto, winning by TKO in round seven over Gennaro Mauriello. Cruciani left this title vacant in 1988 when, on 30 March, he attempted to conquer the WBC. He fought for the WBC International light-heavyweight title, also in Spoleto, but was beaten for the first time in his career via KO in round one by the Argentine Nestor Hipolito Giovannini. Cruciani left pro boxing after just 17 bouts with a record of 15 wins (8 by KO), 1 loss (1 KO) and 1 draw. He died at only 33-years-old from an incurable disease.