ABOUT LEONARDO
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Name: Leonardo Zappavigna Nicknames: “Lenny”, “Lenny Zappa” Date of Birth: 27th October 1987 Place of Birth: Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia Division: Lightweight (61.4kg/135lbs) Stance: Orthodox Wins: Wins: 24 | Losses: 0 | Draws: 0 | KO's: 16 | Total Fights: 24 Trainer: Tommy Mercuri Gym: Westside Boxing Gym |
Leonardo Zappavigna was born in Liverpool, NSW Australia in October 1987 and is of Italian descent. After starting fitness and boxing training mainly to get fit, he began to train more seriously under the tutelage of Tommy Mercuri, his first and current boxing trainer. He first entered the NSW amateur boxing ranks in 1999. A long and successful amateur boxing career followed. With a total of 81 amateur fights for 72 wins, he was a four time national amateur champion. The highlight of his amateur career was representing Australia in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, winning a Bronze Medal in the 60kg Lightweight class.
Since turning professional Zappavigna has logged many impressive wins, winning and defending the Australian Lightweight title, IBO Asia Pacific Lightweight title and IBF Pan Pacific Light Welterweight title. A strong, well built fighter with "stocky" frame, Zappavigna has dominated opponents with a skilful yet aggressive, boxer/puncher fighting style. Although an accomplished boxer he also has the power to knock his opponents out with either hand, and has featured in numerous "explosive" bouts in both the amateur and professional ranks.
This has seen him quickly become a favourite on "Friday Night Fights" on Fox Sports, and gain a reputation as a hungry, willing boxer with a strong work ethic in the gym. In April 2007 this culminated in Leonardo spending 4 weeks as one of Manny Pacquiao's sparring partners, in preparation for Pacquiao's bout with Jorge Solis. Leonardo was scheduled to fight on the undercard but his opponent pulled out on the day of the fight.
Family support has been important to Leonardo from day one, and he has always had the support and backing of his family (father Joe, mother Josephine, brother Dominic and sister Rosanne) and thanks them immensely. That backing, and his own personal drive and ambition, all combined with a wise and experienced training and management team (Tommy Mercuri, and Gary Shaw in the U.S) are all factors helping and guiding Leonardo to the elite boxing level, and getting him ready for the biggest possible fight of his life, a world title fight.
Leonardo Zappavigna in 2010
In his last fight on Thursday 22nd July, 2010 at the Assyrian Sports & Culture Club, Fairfield Heights, New South Wales, Australia against Indonesian Billy Sumba Leonardo won via KO in round 2. The fight was televised by Fox Sports Australia.
Leonardo next fight is scheduled for the U.S for a date yet to be determined, defending the International Boxing Organisation Lightweight World title. Stay tuned for more information.