Born in Marcianise on the same day and month as Muhammad Ali, Vincenzo was destined to be a boxer. He is nicknamed "U Murzett" after the traditional almond cakes of his hometown, as describes his tough exterior towards opponents, and his sweeter softer inside, reserved for friends only. Gifted with a masterly technique, he has a Bronze and a European medal to show for it, and to top this, he finished third-place at the London Olympic Games. Four years later, he has changed weight class (having gone up from 64 kg to 69 kg), but his will to win remains constant. This is the same boy who, at nine years-of-age, went training behind his mother’s back at the "Excelsior Boxe" gym. He now lives in front of the Italian Boxing Federation’s Assisi centre with his partner Erika and, at 27 years old, he is still a straight arrow: all home and gym. He wants to stand out while he is in Rio because "he doesn't like to punch, but to avoid getting hit."