Anton Josipović

Anton Ante Josipović (born October 22, 1962 in Banja Luka) is a former boxer from Bosnia and Herzegovina (then part of Yugoslavia). He won the light heavyweight gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics. Josipović is an ethnic Croat (see Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Amateur career

Josipović, a member of "Slavija" from Banja Luka, won his first Yugoslav champion title in 1982, and went on to become a Balkan champion in 1983. In LA for the first time a Yugoslav athlete was awarded a gold medal by default. Josipović was left without an opponent after Gligorije Novičić, a Yugoslav referee, in the other semifinal bout between New Zealand's Kevin Barry and Evander Holyfield from the US had disqualified the American boxer for having knocked out his opponent as he yelled break while Holyfield was in the middle of throwing combinations.

In spite of several protests and appeals by the hosts, Holyfield, who later became the only person to ever capture the professional world heavyweight championship four times, was not allowed to compete in the final bout, while Barry could not compete because of the knock-out, which resulted in Josipović’s being awarded gold medal by default.

Olympic results

1984 - Olympic Games, Los Angeles, USA: Gold Medal (light heavyweight)
*W-PTS 4-1 Markus Bott (Germany),
*W-PTS 5-0 Georgica Donici (Romania),
*W-PTS 3-2 Frederick M'Cormack (Sierra Leone),
*W-Forfeit Kevin Barry (New Zealand)

Pro career

Josipović began his professional career in 1990 and won his first eight bouts. In 1994, he took on Asmir Vojnović for the Croatian Cruiserweight Title and lost a decision. In the rematch in 1995, Josipović again lost by decision and retired from boxing.

Personal life

His cousin is Aleksandar Josipovic, artist - five time Yugoslav National Championship in Ballroom dancing, dancer in Moulin_Rouge, Paris

External links

*
* [http://www.okscg.org.yu/m030e.htm Profile on Serbian Olympic Committee]