“A punch in the stomach” – OA Sport

Clemente Russo will not participate in the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. Now it’s official. The Italian boxer will not be among the protagonists at the Games, scheduled from Friday 23 July to Sunday 8 August. After not having fought at the pre-Olympic in March 2020 due to a physical indisposition (lost by walkover in the first round), interrupted due to the explosion of the pandemic and which will restart in three days in Paris, the renamed Tatanka had requested a wild card from the IOC’s Boxing Task Froce.

The request was also made by Federpugilato and Coni, primarily by the President Giovanni Malagò. The request, however, was not accepted and therefore the 38-year-old had to say farewell to the dream of participating in the five-circle review for the fifth time in his career.

The champion from Marcianise, silver among the heavyweights at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympics, expressed all his bitterness to the microphones of the FPI: “I can’t find the words to describe the feelings I feel. A punch straight to the stomach, one of those that leave you breathless. A step away from Tokyo 2020, I see the possibility of being able to participate in the qualifying tournament fade away“.

The two-time World Champion still keeps a little glimmer of hope alive: “There is no wild card available for Italy but, until before the Olympics start, I will continue to train hard in the hope that something will change and I will be given the chance to play my cards. I would get there with two World Cup golds and two Olympic silver in four editions of the Games. This is history, no one can ever take it away from me. I can consider myself a boxer and a lucky man. A man who made himself alone, with his own hands and who never got discounts from anyone”.

Clemente Russo then concluded: “I am happy with the path made so far; I carry so many wonderful sporting memories in my heart. In the future, in addition to dedicating myself heart and soul to the family, I will certainly try to carve out an active role in the world of boxing. I will think about giving something back to sport, which has always given me so much, and which is the guiding star of my life and that of my loved ones. Our three wonderful girls, Rosy, Janet and Jane, already play sports at good levels and with great passion, like mom and dad. The twin Janet already has very clear ideas and has chosen boxing! If good blood doesn’t lie, I’ll be back at ringside soon”.

Photo: Lapresse