Vito Antuofermo

Vito Antuofermo
Antuofermo in 2006
Statistics
Real name	Vito Antuofermo
Rated at	Middleweight
Nationality	Italian American
Born	(1953-02-09) February 9, 1953 (age 63) Palo del Colle, Italy
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	59
Wins	50
Wins by KO	21
Losses	7
Draws	2
No contests	0

Vito Antuofermo (Italian pronunciation: [anˌtwɔˈfermo]; born February 9, 1953) is an Italian American actor and retired professional boxer. He is a former undisputed World Middleweight Champion.

Antuofermo was born in Italy, in the town of Palo del Colle, about 15 km inland from the city of Bari. His family moved to the United States when he was 17 years old. Antuofermo learned how to fight in the tough areas of New York City. By his teens, he had made up his mind that he wanted to be a professional boxer.

Antuofermo won the 1970 147 lb New York Golden Gloves Championship, defeating Thomas Chestnut in the finals. In 1971, Antuofermo was defeated by future Light Heavyweight Champion Eddie Gregory in the finals of the 147 lb Open division. Antuofermo trained at the Police Athletic Leagues Sweeney Center in Brooklyn, New York.

One of the things for which Antuofermo was known was his propensity to bleed easily, especially around the eyebrows. In between rounds in his fights, as much attention (if not more) was given to Vito patching up cuts on his face as it was giving him advice and instructions.

In 1979, Antuofermo became World Middleweight Champion by beating defending champion Hugo Corro by a decision in 15 rounds at Monte Carlo. According to an article in The Ring, Howard Cosell, who was working on that fight's live broadcast to the USA, was telling viewers that Corro was, in his opinion, way ahead on the judges' cards. When someone on the American television crew found out it was Antuofermo who was actually leading on the cards, Cosell then began to say he had Antuofermo ahead.