HISTORY: 1980/2017

Towards the end of the seventies, some combat disciplines from the USA and Asia arrived in Europe: these are kickboxing, muay thai and, more recently, MMA. Claudio senses in advance the enormous potential and decides to devote a large part of the company resources to the development of equipment for ring sports, in particular through the improvement of a new system for closing the glove with velcro. This makes this protection extremely practical, encouraging its use during training and consequently its diffusion among enthusiasts.

Left. Eight-time professional world champion Dutch Ramon Dekkers was by far one of the most prestigious champions in muay thai. In the header an image of the epic confrontation between Ramon Dekkers and the Frenchman Francois Pennacchio, a match that entered the history of combat sports for its spectacularity (Palavobis - Milan 1996). Left. Dutchman Andre Mannaart wins the ISKA kickboxing world title by beating Frenchman Jerome Turcan (Palatrussardi - Milan 1995).

A French boxing match savate, one of the first combat disciplines to be practiced in Italy before the arrival of kick boxing and muay thai. LEONE becomes the Italian brand of reference for all ring sports practitioners and once again goes to the ring alongside some of the most prestigious fighters nationally and internationally.

Left. The Milanese Sergio Bertolazzi (left) in the spectacular duel against the very strong Swiss champion Azem Maksutaj (Palalido - Milan 1996). Bottom Right. The hard-fought final of the first edition of Oktagon between the Dutchman Andre Mannaart (left) and the British Lee Hasdel (Palatrussardi - Milan 1996).

An energetic, cheerful and positive person, Claudio represents the typical example of an entrepreneur who "made himself" thanks to an unwavering willpower and a sincere love for work, intended as an instrument of personal expression and vehicle of human values that they must never be sacrificed to pure profit logic. His contribution has proven to be decisive in achieving the undisputed leadership position that the company has gained over the decades. A key figure in her life is that of Clarisa Priori, a neighborhood girl known at a very young age and who became his inseparable companion in life as in work. The two married in 1978 and two children were born from their union: Cristina (1979) and Daniele (1983). Both, albeit at different times, will join the family business holding managerial roles. Satisfied with their work and the enthusiasm shown, in 2009 Claudio decided to donate the company to his children, continuing to hold the position of sole director and legal representative. LEONE thus arrives at the third generation.

LEONE becomes in fact the Italian brand of reference for all ring sports practitioners and once again goes to the ring alongside some of the most prestigious national and international fighters such as Giorgio Petrosyan, Leonard Bundu, Simona Galassi, Giacobbe Fragomeni , Silvia La Notte, Sak Kaoponlek and Alessio Sakara just to name a few.