Alan Minter vs Angelo Jacopucci for the vacant European middleweight title
Date: July 19, 1978
Venue: Municipal Stadium, Bellaria, Italy
Minter stance: southpaw
Jacopucci stance: orthodox
Alan Minter was attempting to regain the European title he had lost 10 months earlier to Gratien Tonna in Milan. This was the 38th fight of Minter's career, and he was the reigning British champion. In his previous bout, he had fought on the undercard of the first fight between Muhammad Ali and Leon Spinks, so big things were expected of Minter.
Angelo Jacopucci won the European middleweight title in 1976, when he beat Britain's Bunny Sterling over 15 rounds. He lost his title at his first defence, and like Minter was seeking to regain what he had lost. A tall, slender man of nearly 6'2", Jacopucci had only seven knockouts to his credit in 33 wins. Jacopucci had suffered a bad knockout defeat to Britain's Franki Lucas in November 1976, so there were some doubts about his durability going in to his match with Minter.
I don't usually comment on the result of a fight in these previews, but felt it necessary to make an exception this time. Jacopucci was knocked out in the 12th round. He seemed to have fully recovered in the ring, and even went to a post-fight dinner with the new champion. Suddenly, Jacopucci collapsed in front of Minter and died in hospital three days later. As a result, all European title fights were reduced from 15 to 12 rounds and a number of improvements to boxers' safety were implemented. The ringside doctor later went on trial and was found guilty of manslaughter.
For an in depth look at their respective records, visit:
Alan Minter - https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/11467
Angelo Jacopucci - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/26778
