Nathan Cleverly and everyone at Team Clev would like to express our most sincere condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Mario Maccarinelli.

Mario’s passing is a loss to Italian, Welsh and British boxing – nobody else has made an impact to boxing in Swansea like Mario has.

Mario was from the village of Prevale near Italy’s famous Lake Garda. He joined the Italian army aged 17 where he became an army boxing champion.

After moving to Swansea in 1954 Mario found boxing again at the ‘boxing booths’, injury stopped him pursuing his talent but it didn’t stop his success as a trainer. He became the boss at Bonymean ABC in 1985 and has since trained many amateur champions, most notably his son Enzo – who became champion of the world as a professional.

Rest In Peace, Mario.