A lion's heart and a tender smile that inspired confidence. This was Salvatore Mura, 49 years old from Porto Torres, a former worker and former champion of the Turrian ring.

He died last night after a long and cruel illness. He leaves behind his wife and three children. And a great void in the city, where he was highly esteemed for his human and sporting skills.

Technical boxer, combative and courageous, Salvatore Mura would have deserved more than he achieved in his career: Italian vice-champion novices 1988, bronze overall in Rome in 1995, several collegiate training sessions with the national team then led by Falcinelli. He was also the author of memorable meetings. Like the one in 1996, drew against the great Gioacchino Mocerino from Campania, just back from the Atlanta Olympics. They were three shots with the gun, probably won by the fighter from Porto Torres.

Son of art, his father Comida had been an excellent boxer in the 1960s. While his brother Domenico was one of the greatest talents in the ring expressed by Turritan boxing, a discipline that since 1930 has made Porto Torres famous also internationally.

Salvatore's last memory of his brother Domenico. "He fought against the disease with the same determination with which he faced his opponents - he comments -. This time he had to give up. He leaves us a good person and an excellent family man".

Salvatore Mura's funeral will be held tomorrow at 3 pm in Porto Torres in the church of the Holy Spirit.

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