Water polo, Boxing …

Florence- Now it’s official, sporting Florence is enjoying a period of glory, especially in water polo thanks to the “rebirth” of Rari Nantes Florentia, and with the women’s Fiorentina Waterpolo Giotti it is moving back to center stage in national and international competitions.

The water polo week was officially presented to the press this morning in the Sala Incontri in Palazzo Vecchio. Dario Nardella, Commissioner of Sports for the city of Florence, Eugenio Giani, President of the Tuscan Regional Council, Andrea Pieri President of Rari Nantes Florentia and of the Consorzio Florentia-Waterpolo, Fabio Frandi, and Maurizio Frittelli for Fiorentina Waterpolo Giotti, Maurizio Narduzzi representing the Federazione Nuoto e Pallannuoto, Eraldo Pizzo former water polo champion, Franco Sottani, Vice President of Rari Nantes Florentia and Sergio Cecchi Vice President of the Lega Nazionale Pallanuoto were all on hand at the press conference.

By beating the fierce competition from Imperia that came forward to replace Novara in the organization of the “Final Four” of the Italian competition, Florence won the day and on 13-14 March will host the games played by Rari Nantes Florentia, Savona, Pro Recco and Brixia Lake Iseo Brescia.

We already know which teams will be facing each other in the semifinals:
Rari Nantes Florentia will play Savona in the “re-edition” of last Saturday’s match that gave Florence a 12-6 victory and marked Savona’s first defeat this season.
The other match will be played by Pro Recco and Brixia Lake Iseo Brescia.

BOXING

Major boxing is back in Florence and specifically at the Mandela Forum. On Friday 19 March the city’s most prestigious sports arena – that is now celebrating its 25th anniversary – will host professional boxing for the fourth year in a row. Welterweight Leonard Bundu, will be the star of the evening as he competes for Intercontinental Welterweight Championship , stepping into the ring against Carlos Adam Jerez known as “El Malevo”. The 35-year old Bundu, who is the reigning European Union champion boasts 20 career victories and one no-contest; he has also won the Mediterranean and Italian championships. The challenger, Carlos Jerez, is 30 years old with a record of 45 professional matches with 30 victories – 16 KOS, 11 defeats and 3 draws.

But don’t go away, that same evening Rodrigo Bracco who has fought 12 fights (10 wins, 2 losses) will make his bid for the Italian Bantamweight Championship against Ciro Pariso, of Naples (6 fights: 5 wins and 1 defeat)..

Two other boxers will be in the ring that evening: lightweight Angelo Ardito will face off against Mario Salis (4-0) and Vigan Mustafa, light heavyweight will fight Janrich Velecky of the Czech Republic. In the final match of the evening super featherweight Massimilano Ballisai will fight Araik Sachbazjan.

Tickets for the 19 March event are already on sale on the Boxoffice circuit and at the Mandela Forum gym, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. daily. Ticket prices range from 40 euros, ringside, with enclosed sides and security service with much better visibility than in the past, to reserved seat for 30 euros, and 15 euros on the bleachers. .

And, remember, once again the posters for the event will highlight the campaign against bullying.