Ernesto Bergamasco

“Balding old man who beat up young boxer”

Ernesto Bergamasco is an Italian former amateur boxer. He competed in the men’s light welterweight event at the 1972 Summer Olympics.

A video clip went viral showing a very old Bergamasco challenging a young boxer in the ring. He was in his mid-60s at the time.

Bergamasco was born in Naples on February 17, 1950. As a boy, he worked in slaughterhouse where his strength was noticed, promptings family and friends to push him to start boxing.

Bergamasco was eventually chosen to compete for Italy in the light-welterweight division at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Afterwards, he had a brief professional career. He retired in 1978 with a professional record of 31 wins (9 by KO) and 10 losses (6 by KO).

Bergamasco later became the founder and director of one of the most successful boxing clubs in the Napoli area, the Pugilistica Oplonti, where as a coach he brought to the ring many fighters. Among them were his son Raffaele (an amateur Italian champion) and the professionals Alfonso Pinto and Pietro Aurino, both Olympians.

At his peak, Bergamasco stood 168 cm (over 5 feet 6 inches) and weighed 64 kg (140.8 pounds).