Chapora seems like a peaceful place inhabited by people wholike to stay to themselves and earn a peaceful buck. But aggression is not farfrom the surface. The thump of leather against leather is quite audible fromsome distance. Fabrizio Petroni may not be involved with the Goan boxing teambut it is his oft repeated desire to cooperate with the officials in the stateto help them achieve success nationally and possibly internationally.
Asked what his role was with the boxers in the state, heclaimed to have trained a few top boxers in the state for the last ten years.Boxers, he said, needed someone in the corner they could trust and someone whoknew them well, which he claimed was not really happening now. Due to hisefforts he said the state had won 170 medals in eight years with Sonia Parabwinning a gold medal during the National games in 2008.
Asked what his view on the state of boxing in the countrywas, he said “They are very good and some boxers could win medals in theOlympics soon. The atmosphere is great and the boxers are now in a confidentstate of mind having done well in international competitions too.” With regardsto Goa, he said there were not many boxers like footballers. Boxing in Goa hesaid was like the state of boxing in India, when he first came to the country.There was an improvement in the standard which is ongoing.
Asked what his future plans were, he said, he had an offerfrom Punjab to train their boxers and he would consider the option because healso had to earn some money. He is presently looking for an opponent for hismost successful boxer Soniya Parab who is now a professional.
As Fabrizio says” InItaly if I create a world champion, he or she will be one in a crowd but if Ihelp an Indian, he or she will be the first and will get a lot of attention.”Asked to name a talented boxer from the state who would go far, he namedChandan Chavan who was selected for the junior Indian camp in 2009 as a 17 yearold.
