Franco Udella

Franco Udella was an Italian boxer who lost in the first round as a light-flyweight at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Udella won silver at the 1969 European Championships and then was Italian flyweight champion in 1970-71. He returned to the Olympics in 1971 at München but lost in the third round.

Udella turned professional at the end of 1972 and fought for the world flyweight title in 1974, losing to Venezuelan Betulio González. He then fought again for the title in April 1975 and won by disqualification over Valentin Martinez. Udella was stripped of the world title in August 1975 when he refused to defend against Paraguay’s Rafael Lovera. Lovera then fought a bout for the empty world title and lost badly, after which it was revealed he had never before fought professionally, greatly embarrassing the WBC (World Boxing Council) for not having checked his credentials.

Later in 1975, on 25 October, Udella won the European flyweight title, defeating Spain’s Pedro Molledo. He lost the European title in May 1979 at the Wembley Empire Pool, after which he announced his retirement. Udella retired with a professional record of 37 wins (18 by KO), 5 losses, and 1 no contest. He was given a gold medal by the Italian Olympic Committee in honor of his career.