Fabrizio DE CHIARA

Fabrizio De Chiara was an Italian boxer who competed at the 1992 Olympics where he was eliminated in his first bout by the eventual bronze medallist, György Mizsei of Hungary.

In December 1991, De Chiara won the Italian light-middleweight title defeating much more fancied fighters like Eduardo Riccio and Massimo Bugada, and thus earning his place at the Barcelona Games. In 1993 De Chiara moved up to middleweight but lost in the final for the national title against Federico Alvarez. A year later De Chiara turned professional and after 13 wins (12 by KO) and only one defeat, he fought Vincenzo Imparato for the Italian title at Carrara on Saturday 16 November 1996. Imparato won with a 12-round TKO but it was obvious De Chiara was in trouble after the fight and his condition deteriorated as he was tottering before losing consciousness. He was operated on at Pisa’s hospital, but the following day was declared brain dead. His organs (heart, lung, kidneys, cornea and liver) were donated following a request he made to his mother some time earlier. For his funeral he was dressed in the official Italian Barcelona Olympic Games uniform. Imparato, his last opponent and close friend, was among those who carried the coffin. His last farewell was also attended by former world champion Marvin Hagler, Fabrizio’s idol.