Born to Fight: Podcast with Diego Lenzi
🥊 Olympian at Paris 2024 | Italian heavyweight.
5 wins out of 5 as a professional, all by stoppage.
Italian U22 and Elite champion in the +92 kg category, international gold at the Grand Prix World Boxing Challenge 2025 and number 3 in the World Boxing ranking in the 90+ kg category.
From Porretta Terme to the Olympic ring: the story of "El Toro", a compact heavyweight, explosive and determined to grow.
Diego Lenzi is one of the most interesting names in contemporary Italian boxing. After securing Olympic qualification for Paris 2024, defeating the American favorite Joshua Edwards in the round of 16 and finishing the Games in fifth place in the +92 kg category, he also opened the professional chapter with a clear streak: five matches, five wins, all by stoppage.
In this episode of Born to Fight, we enter the world of a heavyweight different from the others: more compact than the international standards of the category, but explosive, aggressive, fast in changes of pace and convinced of being able to transform every physical limit into a technical advantage. Watch the podcast to discover the path, the mentality and the ambition of Diego Lenzi towards Los Angeles 2028.
Who is Diego Lenzi: from the Olympic ring to professionalism
Before boxing, he played football and basketball, then discovered boxing in his teens. The choice was born from a simple and tough idea: he was looking for a sport in which the responsibility of victory or defeat was entirely on his own shoulders. His first club is the Pugilistica Alto Reno, with Emanuele Orlando as his first coach. Later he enters the federation path and the orbit of the Army, with the technical work of the Italian national team.
After a period away from boxing, he returns in February 2022 with a new determination. From that moment his growth is extremely rapid: in the same year he wins the Italian U22 title and the Italian Elite title in the +92 kg category, becoming one of the most watched profiles of the new generation.
The decisive turning point comes in 2024, when he conquers the Olympic quota by defeating, among others, Ayoub Ghadfa and Danis Latypov. In Paris he beats Joshua Edwards, the American favorite of the category, and stops in the quarterfinals against the German Raman Nelvie Tiafack. The final result is an Olympic fifth place that confirms Lenzi as one of the most promising Italian heavyweights of the cycle towards Los Angeles 2028.
Main titles and achievements
- Olympian at Paris 2024 in the +92 kg category
- 5th place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
- Italian U22 +92 kg champion in 2022
- Italian Elite +92 kg champion in 2022
- Gold at the Grand Prix World Boxing Challenge in Ústí nad Labem in 2025
- Silver / finalist at the World Boxing Cup Finals 2024
- Number 3 in the World Boxing ranking in the +90 kg category published in March 2026
- Professional record as of May 15, 2026: 5-0, with 5 wins by stoppage
Professional career: five matches, five stops
Lenzi enters professionalism on December 15, 2024 at the Centro Pavesi in Milan, winning by stoppage against Georgije Stanisavljev. From there he builds a clear start: five matches, five wins, all closed by stoppage. However, his path remains different from that of many prospects: professionalism does not mark the abandonment of Olympic boxing, but becomes a tool for growth. The stated goal remains Los Angeles 2028, with the pro matches useful to increase experience, toughness and awareness in the ring.
An “anomalous” heavyweight style
Lenzi is a compact heavyweight: with his 1.85 m he often gives centimeters to the international superheavyweights. But precisely this characteristic makes his style recognizable. He is an orthodox boxer, physical, explosive in changes of pace and capable of closing the distance with intensity.
They describe him as an athlete with a heavy punch, good speed and physical endurance. Among the aesthetic and technical references he also cited Canelo Álvarez: a model that helps to read his search for pressure, compactness and powerful punches from medium distance.
"El Toro" and his path towards Los Angeles
Lenzi is already an undefeated professional, but he also remains a central athlete in the Italian Olympic project. His stated goal is to arrive at Los Angeles 2028 stronger, more experienced and more ready to compete with the best superheavyweights in the world.
Beyond the ring: redemption, ambition and public image
The story of Diego Lenzi is also built outside the sixteen ropes. His interviews tell a path marked by hard work, complicated moments and a strong idea of personal redemption. He has spoken of boxing not only as a sport, but also as a concrete opportunity to change one's life.
His way of communicating is direct, confident, sometimes divisive. For some it is charisma, for others excessive exposure. But precisely this personality has made him one of the most recognizable faces of the new Italian boxing: an athlete who not only seeks the result, but wants to take up space, tell his story and leave a mark.
FAQ – Diego Lenzi
Who is Diego Lenzi?
Diego Lenzi is an Italian heavyweight boxer, Olympian at Paris 2024, Army athlete and undefeated professional. He is considered one of the most interesting prospects of Italian boxing towards Los Angeles 2028.
What is Diego Lenzi's professional record?
As of May 15, 2026, Diego Lenzi has a professional record of 5 wins and 0 losses, with all wins obtained by stoppage.
Did Diego Lenzi participate in the Olympics?
Yes. He participated in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the +92 kg category, where he defeated Joshua Edwards in the round of 16 and stopped in the quarterfinals against Raman Nelvie Tiafack, finishing in fifth place.
What titles has Diego Lenzi won?
As an amateur he won the Italian U22 +92 kg title and the Italian Elite +92 kg title in 2022. In 2025 he conquered the gold at the Grand Prix World Boxing Challenge in Ústí nad Labem.
In what category does Diego Lenzi fight?
In Olympic boxing he fights in the +92 kg category, while as a professional he fights in the heavyweight category.
What is Diego Lenzi's fighting style?
He is a compact, aggressive and explosive heavyweight. Although often giving centimeters to opponents, he bets on pressure, speed in changes of pace, power and the ability to close the distance.
What is Diego Lenzi's next big goal?
The big stated goal is the Olympic cycle towards Los Angeles 2028, while continuing to build experience in professional boxing.
Born to Fight – The Podcast
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BKFC world champion, MMA legend and face of combat sports in Italy.
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The "Doctor" of world kickboxing, multi-time GLORY and ONE Championship champion.
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Two-time ISKA world kickboxing champion and Italian cruiserweight boxing champion.
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Olympian at Paris 2024, Italian heavyweight and prospect towards Los Angeles 2028.
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