Giampaolo Faelli
Giampaolo Faelli (Parma, 8 April 1972) is an Italian Thai boxer. With more than 165 matches all over the world in 19 years of competition, he is one of the most expert and well-known Italian athletes.
Giampaolo won two World Professional Championships (WMTA in 1999) and (WFC in 2008) and the European Professional Championship (EMTA in 2000). In 1995 he won the Bronze Medal in the Bangkok World Championship and in 1994 he won the European Championship (IAMTF). He also gained several Italian titles, among which were three titles for WAKO Pro.
During his long career, Faelli's fighting weight varied between 63 and 72 kg (139 and 159 lb), covering all the weight categories from lightweights to middleweights. His elegant and crystal clear technique is his most distinctive feature in the ring. Faelli is a master in clinching, kicking and defensive counterattacks. The focus of his style is using strategy rather than brute force. His technical background found its roots in the Tae Kwon Do, his first discipline, where he got a black belt. He later dedicated himself to the practice of Kickboxing and Muay Thai. Faelli is a pure striker that challenged in several disciplines, especially during his youth: Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, Savate, and above all Thai Box. It was in the practice of Muay Thai that Giampaolo dedicated his greatest efforts, reaching high levels of achievement. His opponents included Parinya (no. 4 Lumpinee St.), Willa (no. 6 Rajamedern St.), Fabio Corelli, Giovanni Perlungher, Joan Vidot, Red Valli, Sidi Kone, Dino Orso, Giampaolo Isabella, Mohamed Mojahid, Marco Santi, Franco Lazzaro and Fabio Campo.
Giampaolo has also been a Thai box trainer for several years. Among his most talented trainees are two Italian professional champions, Simone Desirelli, who beat Stefano Stradella, and Marco Chiesa, a young super-heavyweight talent with an impressive KO record.