By Boxing Bob Newman
David and Simone Mazzinghi, sons of Italian boxing legend and former two-time undisputed Jr. Middleweight champion Sandro Mazzinghi are looking to king for an American Film Producer to bring their screen play to the silver screen.
The brothers teamed up with Italian journalist Dario Torromeo to pen “Born To Combat,” the story of their father’s life, in and out of the ring.
Fightnews.com® spoke with David Mazzinghi about the project. “The story of our father Sandro is a beautiful one because it is full of twists and turns- a story of suffering, joys and pains of a man born to fight. It is the story of Sandro Mazzinghi, a man, a champion, a father.”
The Mazzinghi brothers have lofty aspirations as they would love to have none other than Clint Eastwood involved as producer/director on the project. Eastwood is no stranger to working on Italian related projects, having shot to stardom making three “Spaghetti Westerns” with director Sergio Leone.
Sandro Mazzinghi passed in 2020 at the age of 80. He compiled a sterling record of 64-3, 2 NC, 42 KOs and held the WBA/WBC Jr. Middleweight titles from 1963-1965 and again briefly in 1968. Despite his record showing three losses, only two men defeated him- 70 fight veteran Giampaolo Melis, when Mazzinghi had only 16 fights as a pro for ten months and the hall-of-famer Giovanni “Nino” Benvenuti, who took Mazzinghi’s title, then defended it in the rematch.
Never heard of him, record seems impressive though. We could use another decent boxing movie
I think some of his matches are on YOUTUBE. I remember reading about him in the 60’s. While I understand there love for their father, He was champion when the Jr. Middle Weight division was not such a big division as it might be today. As example, Emile Grifith went from Welter weight to middle weight champion. The division had only started in the 1960’s. Also this idea of getting Clint Eastwood involved; At his age, how many more movies does Clint have in his arsenal?
Mazzinghi a great sports world, a film about his life could be interesting
I remember seeing Sandro fight on TV a time or two back in the day. He was a dang good fighter, but I’d think with the few that would really recognize his name nowdays, that the film would have a hard time getting eyeballs on it. But who knows, maybe it will be a hit, crazier things have happened in sho biz. Good luck to the sons, I wish them well.
I saw mazzinghi fight a fury of nature, a film about his story would be very interesting
Best wishes to the family