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On May 13, at Allianz Cloud in Milan, Italy – Opi Since 82, Matchroom and DAZN will promote a card being topped by the main event between WBO Intercontinental super middleweight champion Daniele Scardina (20-0, 16 KOs) and former WBA “regular” super middleweight champion Giovanni De Carolis (30-10-1, 14 KOs).
Giovanni, what do you say to Daniele Scardina?
“That I am in top shape and confident to win too. It’s normal that every fighter is confident to win. I also had a great training camp. Besides training at my gym in Monterosi and at coach Italo Mattioli’s gym in Rome, I also trained in England. I went to Portsmouth at Michael Bellinghall’s gym where I sparred with two undefeated pros: welterweight Michael McKinson (22-0) and middleweight Aaron Sutton (13-0). Then I trained at Matchroom Gym in Essex. Both experiences were useful to me.
You have 41 fights, while Scardina has 20. Will this be a major factor on May 13?
“Every fight is different, but there’s no question that experience counts. I want to point out that about half of my fights had a title on the line.”
This fight is having a lot of media exposure. Being involved in the Italian fight of the year gives you extra motivation?
“Of course it does. I am proud to be one of the stars of the fight of the year. Like Daniele said, I would be happy if this fight brought people back to the arena who stopped watching boxing long ago and also new people who never bought a ticket for a boxing show.”
You still talk about boxing with passion. Usually after many years in the boxing business, fighters start to lose interest for boxing.
“I never lost interest for the fight game. That’s why I opened a gym in Monterosi. After I retire, I want to keep being involved in boxing. After 41 pro fights, I still want to get in the ring and go far. That’s why this fight is so important to me. If I become WBO Intercontinental champion new doors could open for me in the super middleweight division.”
