Gianluca Branco (born 20 September 1970) is an Italian former professional boxer who competed from 1995 to 2014. He held the European super-lightweight title twice between 2001 and 2009, the European Union welterweight title from 2012 to 2013, the European welterweight title from 2014 to 2016, and challenged twice for a world title in 2004 and 2006. Gianluca is the younger brother of former boxer Silvio Branco.

Professional career Branco made his professional debut on 7 April 1995, knocking out Aladar Horvath in six rounds. Fighting almost exclusively in his native Italy, he would spend the next nine years undefeated, save for a points draw against Viktor Baranov on 19 October 1998. Branco won his first major regional championship—the vacant European light-welterweight title—on 23 June 2001, with a majority decision victory over Gabriel Mapouka. Two successful defences of the title were made, against George Scott on 17 November 2001 (sixth-round technical decision) and Allan Vester on 9 March 2002 (tenth-round stoppage).

On 24 January 2004, Branco fought for his first world championship—the vacant WBC light-welterweight title—against veteran Arturo Gatti. This was also Branco's first visit to the United States, where Gatti was an established star. Branco started off well, counterpunching the combinations of Gatti, until the latter injured his hand severely by landing a punch on Branco's hip in round five. Gatti then had to rely entirely on his jab to stay out of trouble for the remainder of the fight. By the tenth round, with the fight still close, Gatti turned the tide decisively in his favour when he scored a knockdown against Branco. By the end of twelve rounds, Gatti won a clear unanimous decision (UD) to hand Branco his first loss.Associated Press (25 January 2004). "Gatti overcomes hand injury, beats Branco". ESPN. Retrieved 28 April 2016.

Branco would receive a second opportunity at a world title on 4 March 2006, this time against WBO light-welterweight champion Miguel Cotto. From the opening round, Branco had no answer for the undefeated superstar, who stopped him in eight rounds.Zayas, Pedro (5 March 2006). "Cotto stops Branco, retains WBO junior welterweight title". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved 28 April 2016. On 16 May 2008, Branco won his second European light-welterweight title. Despite suffering a knockdown in the second round, he went on to claim a split decision over the defending champion Lynes."Branco claims Lynes' belt". Sky Sports. Sky. 16 May 2008. Retrieved 28 April 2016. Branco made one defence, on 19 December 2008, stopping Juho Tolppola in nine hard-fought rounds.Schmidt, Erik (22 December 2008). "Branco Stops Tolppola". Boxing News 24. Retrieved 28 April 2016.

Having moved up in weight, Branco made his first of two attempts at winning the European welterweight title, on 26 March 2010, but lost a UD to Matthew Hatton.Mitchell, Kevin (27 March 2010). "Matthew Hatton beats Gianluca Branco to win European welterweight title". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 28 April 2016. On 10 November 2012, Branco won the vacant European Union welterweight title with a UD over Krzysztof Bienias. Once defence was made, on 22 February 2013, in a UD victory against Lukasz Maciec. On 22 November 2014, Branco succeeded in his second attempt at winning the now-vacant European welterweight title, by forcing Rafał Jackiewicz to retire in his corner after six rounds.Furman, Luke (22 November 2014). "Branco Stops Jackiewicz To Capture EBU Crown". BoxingScene. Retrieved 28 April 2016.

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes53Win49–3–1Rafał Jackiewicz6 (12), 22 Nov 201452Win48–3–1Konstantins SakaraUD621 Dec 201351Win47–3–1Łukasz MaciecUD1222 Feb 201350Win46–3–1Krzysztof BieniasUD1210 Nov 201249Win45–3–1János PetrovicsTKO6 (6), 11 Nov 201148Win44–3–1Semjons MoroseksPTS627 Nov 201047Loss43–3–1Matthew HattonUD1226 Mar 201046Win43–2–1János PetrovicsPTS611 Jul 200945Win42–2–1Juho TolppolaTKO9 (12)19 Dec 200844Win41–2–1Colin Lynes1216 May 200843Win40–2–1Nico SalzmannPTS829 Feb 200842Win39–2–1Laszlo KomjathiTKO4 (6)8 Dec 200741Win38–2–1Arek MalekPTS631 Jul 200740Win37–2–1Adam ZadwornyTKO1 (6)8 Oct 200639Loss36–2–1Miguel CottoTKO8 (12), 4 Mar 200638Win36–1–1Farid El HouariTKO4 (8)22 Jul 200537Win35–1–1Ariel Francisco BurgosTKO6 (8), 12 Mar 200536Win34–1–1Vasile HertegTKO2 (6)24 Jul 200435Win33–1–1Nasser LakribTKO4 (10)8 May 200434Loss32–1–1Arturo GattiUD1224 Jan 200433Win32–0–1Michel RaynaudPTS65 Nov 200232Win31–0–1Massimo BertozziPTS613 Sep 200231Win30–0–1Allan VesterTKO10 (12)9 Mar 200230Win29–0–1George Scott6 (12)17 Nov 200129Win28–0–1Gabriel Mapouka1223 Jun 200128Win27–0–1Frederic TrippPTS617 Feb 200127Win26–0–1Adejoussi AdewaleUD622 Dec 200026Win25–0–1Slobodan VlaovicPTS617 Jun 200025Win24–0–1Slobodan VlaovicUD618 Mar 200024Win23–0–1Francesco CioffiPTS63 Dec 199923Win22–0–1Gheorghe ParaschivTKO216 Oct 199922Win21–0–1Horia DobreTKO1 (6)7 Aug 199921Win20–0–1Francesco CioffiUD624 Apr 199920Win19–0–1Nassim YahiaouiPTS618 Dec 199819Draw18–0–1Viktor Baranov819 Oct 199818Win18–0Andile NongazaTKO4 (6)28 Jul 199817Win17–0Massimo BertozziPTS109 May 199816Win16–0Elyes Mahdjoub826 Feb 199815Win15–0Elyes MahdjoubPTS629 Nov 199714Win14–0Antonio StrabelloKO6 (10)28 Aug 199713Win13–0Francesco CioffiPTS1030 May 199712Win12–0Lajos NagyTKO4 (12)13 Feb 199711Win11–0Abderzek Oulad LaarbiTKO1 (6)28 Dec 199610Win10–0Angel FernandezTKO1 (6)12 Dec 19969Win9–0Janos ZsirosTKO1 (6)8 Aug 19968Win8–0Rene OrlovskyTKO4 (6)2 May 19967Win7–0Rene OrlovskyTKO4 (6)20 Jan 19966Win6–0Hamit RiahiPTS64 Jan 19965Win5–0Fabio Marinoni627 Sep 19954Win4–0Mario Spadaro5 (6)5 Aug 19953Win3–0Maurizio BonitoKO4 (6)26 Jun 19952Win2–0Mauro BarigelliKO3 (6)3 Jun 19951Win1–0Aladar Horvath6 (6)7 Apr 1995

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