Alan Minter, undisputed world middleweight champion, defended his world titles against former champion, Vito Antuofermo, in a rematch
Date: June 28, 1980
Venue: Empire Pool, Wembley, London
Minter stance: southpaw
Anuofermo stance: orthodox
Just four months earlier, Alan Minter had snatched the WBC and WBA world titles from Vito Antuofermo in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. The British champion had home advantage for the rematch, and was hoping to put on a show for a packed out arena. Minter was a very rare success story for British boxing at the time, and this made him a major sports celebrity. It is a testament to both boxers that they were prepared to face each other again so soon after they had fought a 15 round bout that ended in a split decision.
Both fighters were notorious were suffering fight-ending cuts, so it was a pleasant surprise when their first bout ended with both boxers relatively unscathed after 15 rounds of non stop action. The rematch would be different, and Harry Carpenter at ringside, described it as a bloodbath. Just about everyone who bought ringside seats for this event left sprayed with blood.
For an in depth look at their respective records, visit:
Alan Minter - https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/11467
Vito Antuofermo - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/11417
