In a thrilling showdown at the Magicland venue in Valmontone, Michael "Lone Wolf" Magnesi reclaimed the WBC Silver super featherweight title by defeating French boxer Khalil El Hadri by unanimous decision on March 28, 2025. The judges scored the bout 115-113, 115-113, and 116-113 in favor of the Italian, marking a significant comeback after his disappointing loss to Masanori Rikiishi a year prior.
This victory not only adds a prestigious title to Magnesi's resume but also positions him strongly for a potential world title shot against current WBC champion O'Shaquie Foster. The fight was billed as a semi-final of sorts, and Magnesi's performance showcased his growth as a fighter, as he displayed a more controlled and strategic approach compared to his previous bouts.
From the outset, Magnesi was the more aggressive fighter, effectively controlling the pace and rhythm of the match. El Hadri struggled to find his footing early on, only managing to land significant shots in the final seconds of the first round. Throughout the early rounds, Magnesi employed his signature style, using his reach advantage to land effective punches while avoiding El Hadri's counters.
As the fight progressed, El Hadri began to find his rhythm, particularly in the fourth round, which was his strongest of the night. Despite this brief resurgence, Magnesi maintained his composure and continued to press the action, landing rapid combinations that visibly troubled the Frenchman.
By the end of the fifth round, the judges' scorecards reflected Magnesi's dominance, with two scoring it 39-37 in his favor and one for El Hadri. This momentum propelled Magnesi to intensify his attack, particularly in the sixth round, where he unleashed a flurry of punches that left El Hadri reeling.
The seventh round was fiercely contested, with both fighters trading blows. However, Magnesi's experience shone through as he adapted his tactics, avoiding the mistakes that had cost him in his previous fight against Rikiishi. His ability to tie up El Hadri when necessary demonstrated his tactical maturity, allowing him to control the exchanges more effectively.
As the fight entered the championship rounds, El Hadri showed signs of fatigue. By the end of the ninth round, the judges had Magnesi ahead with scores of 79-73, 78-74, and 77-75. Although El Hadri attempted to mount a comeback in the later rounds, Magnesi's lead proved insurmountable. In the tenth round, he engaged in close exchanges but managed to keep the upper hand.
In the eleventh round, El Hadri did land a notable combination, but it was too little, too late. The final round saw Magnesi comfortably manage his lead, ensuring that he would walk away with the title. After the bout, Magnesi expressed his gratitude to his corner team for their guidance, stating, "I have a corner that keeps pushing me to throw straight punches, which is my strong suit. I also managed to tie up when needed, even though I’m not naturally inclined to do so." He dedicated his victory to a friend currently in the hospital, highlighting his emotional investment in this fight.
With this win, Magnesi improved his professional record to 25 victories against just 2 defeats. This title marks a significant milestone in his career and reignites hope for Italian boxing, which has not seen a world champion in one of the four major organizations for nine years. The last Italian to hold such a title was Giovanni De Carolis, who lost the WBA super middleweight title to Tyron Zeuge in November 2016.
Looking ahead, Magnesi's sights are set on a world title shot, and he is eager to capitalize on this momentum. He stated, "Now I want a 'gold' chance, and then we’ll see." The excitement surrounding his victory is palpable, as fans and analysts alike speculate on his next steps in the ring.
In addition to Magnesi's triumph, the event featured several other notable bouts. Marco Tricarico scored a TKO victory over Kenan Smaka in the super lightweight division, while Cristian Malvitano defeated Nikola Ivkovic via technical decision in the third round. Simone Spada secured a TKO win against Eber Tobar in the lightweight category, and Giordano Giansanti also emerged victorious, defeating Luka Veljovic by unanimous decision. In a surprising turn, Manuel Rizzieri defeated Alessio Colardo by disqualification in the second round of their flyweight match.
Magnesi's victory is seen as a hopeful sign for the future of Italian boxing, with other fighters like Guido "The Gladiator" Vianello and Claudio Squeo also preparing for major fights in the coming months. Vianello is set to face Richard Torrez Jr. on April 4, while Squeo will challenge Jay Opetaja for the IBF title on May 13. As the Italian boxing scene begins to flourish again, fans are eagerly watching to see if Magnesi can secure a world title and restore Italy's legacy in the sport.
