Walter Facchinetti

Born in Arcisate in the Valceresio valley, Walter Facchinetti began to fight in 1963 with the colors of the Boxing Club Varesino Spumador. In the two-year period 1968-69 he achieved his greatest successes: second place in the Italian championships in Cecina, and then in the late part of the year a flattering fifth place at the Olympic Games in Mexico City in the light-heavyweight division.

After two victories against the Czechoslovakian Josef Kapín and the Austrian Kurt Baumgartner, Facchinetti faced Poland’s Stanisław Dragan, a temperamental boxer, in the quarterfinals with a head injury opening the eyebrow arch. After a good start, in the second round it was Dragan who prevailed, but in the third Facchinetti surprised his opponent with a quick series of punches and the match descended into a hand-to-hand fight. In the end Dragan won by decision with a narrow margin (3: 2). Facchinetti never turned professional and ended his amateur career with 168 wins (30 by KO) and 4 losses.