| Olympic medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's boxing | ||
| Gold | 1984 Los Angeles | Light heavyweight |
Anton Ante Josipović (born 22 October 1961 in Banja Luka, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia) is a former boxer from Bosnia and Herzegovina (then part of Yugoslavia). He won the light heavyweight gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Contents |
Josipović, a member of "Slavija" from Banja Luka, won his first Yugoslav champion title in 1982, and went on to become a Balkan champion in 1983. In LA for the first time a Yugoslav athlete was awarded a gold medal by default. Josipović was left without an opponent after Gligorije Novičić, a Yugoslav referee, in the other semifinal bout between New Zealand's Kevin Barry and Evander Holyfield from the US had disqualified the American boxer for having knocked out his opponent as he yelled break while Holyfield was in the middle of throwing combinations.
In spite of several protests and appeals by the hosts, Holyfield, who later became the only person to ever capture the professional world heavyweight championship four times, was not allowed to compete in the final bout, while Barry could not compete because of the knock-out, which resulted in Josipović’s being awarded gold medal by default.
During the medal ceremony Josipović pulled Holyfield to the top of the podium to join him.[1]
1984 - Olympic Games, Los Angeles, USA: Gold Medal (light heavyweight)
Josipović began his professional career in 1990 and won his first eight bouts. In 1994, he took on Asmir Vojnović for the Croatian Cruiserweight Title and lost a decision. In the rematch in 1995, Josipović again lost by decision and retired from boxing.
He later became a sports journalist and covered Holyfield's career.[2]
His cousin Aleksandar Josipović won the Yugoslavian National Championship in Ballroom dancing five times and is a dancer of the Moulin Rouge in Paris. He also performed as Master of Ceremonies at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.
|
||||||||