Mario Preskar (born 12 January 1984) is a former Croatian professional heavyweight boxer. He trained at Leonardo Boxing Gym in Zagreb with his trainer Leonard Pijetraj.
Amateur career Preskar was born in Zagreb, Croatia. He began boxing at the age of 9 at the urging of his father Željko, a cab driver. Preskar became a seven-time Croatian national champion, his final amateur record was 45–5.
Professional career Preskar started his professional career in 2003, at only 19, signing a contract with the world-famous boxing manager Don King. King and Preskar parted ways in September 2008, with King reportedly unwilling to accept new contract terms put forward by Preskar and Pijetraj, who demanded more frequent fights. Preskar founded new opportunities with K2 Promotions, run by the Klitschko brothers.
In his 19th professional fight against Maksym Pedyura on 27 June 2009 in Lviv, Preskar was ahead throughout most of the match, but was knocked down twice in the last round. After the final bell, he collapsed and was immediately taken to hospital. The fight was declared a draw.
Preskar ascribed the incident to extreme exhaustion, due to high temperature and insufficient ventilation in the hall. In August 2009, he announced an indefinite break from boxing, citing lack of motivation. In May 2010 he collapsed while training, and was diagnosed with epilepsy.
As of 2019, Preskar is working as a boxing coach and a boxing commentator for RTL Televizija.
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes19Draw16–0–3Maksym Pedyura827 June 200918Win16–0–2Daniil PeretyatkoUD830 May 2009 17Win15–0–2Zurab NoniashviliRTD3 (8), 28 March 2009 16Win14–0–2Hans Joerg BlaskoRTD3 (6), 13 December 2008 15Draw13–0–2Miyan Solomons829 September 2007 14Win13–0–1Carl GathrightRTD3 (8), 9 June 2007 13Win12–0–1Paolo FerraraUD820 January 2007 12Win11–0–1Gene ValdezTKO1 (8), 4 November 2006 11Win10–0–1Matthew GreerUD68 July 2006 10Win9–0–1Ervin SlonkaTKO6 (6)17 December 2005 9Win8–0–1Danut MoisaKO2 (4)12 December 2005 8Win7–0–1Vlado Szabo2 (6), 15 October 2005 7Win6–0–1Mark MillerUD428 October 2004 6Win5–0–1Danny WaylandKO1 (4)2 October 2004 5Win4–0–1John TurlingtonUD44 September 2004 4Draw3–0–1Marcelino Novaes415 May 2004 3Win3–0Rubin Bracero41 May 2004 2Win2–0He Man Gipson1 (4), 10 April 2004 1Win1–0Roman Armstrong1 (4), 12 July 2003
References
External links
Leonardo Boxing Gym