Italian fan cheers for RP pugs

MILAN – The voice came from behind the press box and it was Carlotta Ghetti cheering her lungs out for Filipino bantamweight Joan Tipon on his way to beating Sri Lanka’s Kamal Gamaethiralalage at the 15th World Boxing Championships in the Mediolanum Forum here last Wednesday.

“Go, Pinoy,” yelled Carlotta who was with her 74-year-old stepfather Lucio Aliotti, a retired senior officer with the US Navy Seals.

After the fight, I just had to walk up to the pretty Italian and asked why she was partial to the Philippines.

“My boyfriend is Filipino,” said Carlotta. “I’ve learned to cook a lot of Filipino dishes. Bangus is my all-time favorite and I also do caldereta. My nanny was Filipina and she lived with our family in Milan for over 25 years until she passed away. We treated her like family.”

Carlotta said of the different ethnic groups living in Italy, the Filipinos are by far the most well-liked. “We love Filipinos,” she said. “They’re good workers, good friends and good people. I should know.”

Carlotta declined to reveal her boyfriend’s name for privacy reasons. “We met in a cruise ship nearly three years ago,” she said. “I’m very proud of my relationship with a Pinoy. I truly love your people. Most of my close friends are Filipinos. “

Boxing is in Carlotta’s blood. Her grandfather Duilio Loi was a former world junior welterweight champion who died last year at 79 due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Loi fought from 1948 to 1962 and posted a record of 115-3-8, with 26 KOs. He retired after regaining the world crown from Eddie Perkins on points in December 1962. Loi’s three losses were by decision to Perkins, Carlos Ortiz and Jorgen Johansen.

Loi is buried at the Cimitero Monumentale where only national figures recognized globally are interred upon approval by the Italian government.

Carlotta said when she found out there were Filipino fighters participating in the World Championships, she bought tickets to go with her stepfather who is also a boxing fan.

“I came to support the Filipino fighters as I feel close enough to your people to consider your country a piece of my heart,” said Carlotta who attended the American School in Milan before enrolling at Clark University and the University of Richmond in 1994-98. “I believe Filipino boxing has the class, grace, speed and technique which have been missing for many years in international competitions. At the World Championships, you will notice the Filipino fighters always show respect to their opponents. That’s a very admirable trait.”

Of course, Carlotta is a huge Manny Pacquiao fan.

“Pacquiao is the world’s best fighter today,” she said. “I watch all his fights on TV. He makes me very proud to be close to Filipinos.”

Carlotta said her mother Bonaria, Loi’s oldest daughter, was a journalist who married her stepfather in 1984. Her stepfather was born in Turkey to an Italian father and an American mother. He has lived in Milan since 1965 and once represented Time Magazine and USA Today in Southern Europe.

An only child and Loi’s oldest grandchild, Carlotta herself is an athlete. She was a varsity player in volleyball, basketball and tennis. At school, she was an honor student.

Loi is considered one of the greatest Italian fighters in history, joining the likes of Niño Benvenuti, Sandro Mazzinghi, Primo Carnera and Salvatore Burruni as national ring legends. He is best remembered for his trilogies with Perkins and Ortiz. Loi drew with, lost to and beat Perkins while he outpointed Ortiz twice after losing a decision. He fought mainly in Italy but also saw action twice in the US, thrice in Australia, London, Copenhagen, Tunisia and Switzerland. A commemorative photo exhibit will be held here to honor Loi on Sept. 17-Oct. 11.

Carlotta was also in the stands when lightweight Joegin Ladon lost a decision to England’s Thomas Stalker here Wednesday night. She felt the loss like any Filipino would.

“You can’t win them all,” she said. “It’s enough to show you did your best to make your country proud. I’m Italian but my heart is Filipino.”  – Joaquin Henson