Michael Magnesi, Southampton and the Road to World Honours

Interview with M. Beniamino Brioschi, CEO of Justmeben LTD and Sponsor of Michael Magnesi

On June 20th, Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium will host one of the most anticipated boxing events of the year.

Italian contender Michael Magnesi will face unbeaten British star Garner for the WBC Interim Super Featherweight World Championship, in front of a large home crowd and under the spotlight of the international boxing community.

Among Magnesi’s most visible supporters is M. Beniamino Brioschi, CEO of London-based Justmeben LTD, one of the sponsors backing the Italian fighter on his journey toward a world title.

We sat down with him to discuss the fight, the odds, Michael Magnesi’s chances, and a few controversial topics that continue to attract attention.

Interviewer:

On June 20th Michael Magnesi will step into the ring against Garner in Southampton, in front of thousands of British fans.

Yet one of his main sponsors is your company, Justmeben LTD, a British company. Isn’t that a little contradictory?

Brioschi:

Not at all.

Justmeben LTD is a British company, but I am Italian.

Modern sport is international. Companies invest in projects, values and people they believe in.

We support Michael because he represents discipline, sacrifice, professionalism and determination.

I don’t see any contradiction.

I simply see an international company supporting an outstanding Italian athlete.

Interviewer:

So Southampton will feel like an away fight at home?

Brioschi:

In some ways, yes.

We’ll be in England, but our support will be entirely behind Michael.

That is one of the beautiful things about sport. It connects people beyond borders.

Interviewer:

Let’s get straight to it. What’s your prediction?

Brioschi:

Michael Magnesi inside eight rounds.

Interviewer:

That’s a bold statement. Garner is fighting at home, in front of his own crowd, and the bookmakers have him as the favourite. Most experts agree with them. Are you saying they’re all wrong?

Brioschi:

I’m saying that on June 20th it won’t be the journalists, the bookmakers or the fans stepping into the ring.

It will be Garner and Magnesi.

And I’ve learned something both in business and in sport: when everybody looks in one direction, value is often found in the other.

Bookmakers do an excellent job.

But they don’t always get it right.

The history of boxing is full of surprises.

Interviewer:

You sound extremely confident.

Brioschi:

I’m confident because I know the level of commitment Michael brings into every training camp.

Of course, boxing is boxing and the ring always delivers the final verdict.

But if you ask me today, my answer remains exactly the same.

Michael Magnesi inside eight rounds.

Interviewer:

Let’s return to your personal situation. You’re Italian, your company is British, and you’re supporting an Italian fighter against a British fighter. Many people still find that unusual.

Brioschi:

I think it’s simply a reflection of the modern world.

Businesses should support excellence wherever they find it.

I’m proudly Italian.

Justmeben LTD is proudly British.

Those two realities coexist perfectly well.

Interviewer:

We’ve also heard that you have Israeli family roots. Does that influence your view of sport and competition?

Brioschi:

Honestly, I don’t understand the relevance of the question.

We’re discussing a world championship boxing match.

A fighter’s nationality or a sponsor’s family history doesn’t win fights.

Hard work, talent and character do.

Interviewer:

But some people would argue that your public positions on certain international issues, together with your Israeli family background, make your involvement in high-profile sporting events a political statement.

Brioschi:

I continue not to understand the point of your question.

Michael Magnesi is a boxer.

This is a world championship fight.

My role is that of a sponsor who believes in an athlete and in his team.

Everything else is entirely unrelated to what will happen inside the ring on June 20th.

Interviewer:

What impressed you most about Michael Magnesi?

Brioschi:

His mindset.

Many fighters possess talent.

Many fighters possess power.

Many fighters possess speed.

Very few possess the hunger that Michael has.

When you speak with him, you immediately understand that boxing is not simply what he does.

It’s who he is.

Interviewer:

How important is the team around him?

Brioschi:

It’s absolutely fundamental.

No world-class fighter reaches this level alone.

I want to acknowledge the extraordinary work done by his entire coaching staff.

Their commitment behind the scenes is a major part of Michael’s success.

Interviewer:

One name that is often associated with Magnesi is his manager, Davide Bianchi.

Brioschi:

Davide Bianchi has done an outstanding job.

He understands professional boxing, he understands fighters and he understands long-term development.

He’s been a key figure in helping Michael reach this stage of his career.

Interviewer:

And what about promoter Alessandra Branco?

Brioschi:

Alessandra is making a significant contribution to professional boxing.

Promoting and building events of this magnitude requires vision, credibility and hard work.

She deserves tremendous credit for what she is doing for the sport.

Interviewer:

What would a victory mean for Michael Magnesi?

Brioschi:

It would be the reward for years of sacrifice.

It would validate everything he and his team have invested to reach this point.

And it would be a fantastic achievement not only for Michael but for Italian boxing as a whole.

Interviewer:

Final question. If Michael wins the WBC Interim World Championship on June 20th, where will we find you?

Brioschi

Probably ringside.

And probably trying very hard not to smile too much.

Interviewer:

One last time. Your official prediction?

Brioschi:

Michael Magnesi inside eight rounds.

Then we’ll find out whether I was right or whether the bookmakers were.