Best I Faced: Patrizio Oliva

Patrizio Oliva was an outstanding amateur, winning gold at the Olympics in 1980. Later, as a professional, he claimed the WBA junior welterweight title.

One of seven children, Oliva was born in Naples, Italy, on January 28, 1959. Boxing was a part of his life from a young age.

“Very difficult. I come from poverty,” Oliva told The Ring about his early years. “I started [boxing] at 8 years old because before me, my brother Mario was a boxer and Italian champion and was part of the national team.