Paolo Aka "Rocky" Parente

Paolo was born and raised in a little town near Milan, (Pavia) Italy. It was at the young age of 16 that he began pursuing his passion in sports and fitness. It may be hard to believe, but he weighed approximately 350 lbs when he was a teenager. He decided to start practicing boxing casually to see if he could lose some weight. And that’s when something magic happened: in one year, he managed to drop 150 lbs. He was able to achieve this magnificent result only because of two reasons: his big heart and motto of  “Hard work beats talent” which became a guiding principle to him from then on.

Over a period of time he started not only to enjoy boxing, but also became good enough to participate in amateur, semi-professional fights and tournaments in Italy while dreaming to become a professional athlete in the United States. In fact, he started to box under the FPI (The Italian Boxing Federation) and CONI (The Italian National Olympic Committee).

EDUCATION:

Paolo received a diploma in psychology and mental training, attending later the Sport Sciences University. He began working as a Fitness Specialist and Mental Health Coach in Italy before becoming a Personal Trainer in the US. His studies greatly helped him in his professional work and later on as a professional athlete. In addition, he got different certification as ISSA, CPT, CPR, Strength-conditioning Specialist and FMS Analyst after coming to the US.

THE US CAREER:

Paolo started his fitness specialist and personal training career in Florida with Miami Personal Training Company, owned by CEO Max Bruni.

He began managing a portfolio of exclusive clientele and celebrities: becoming so the Personal Trainer of Luxury hotels such as the W hotel, The Setai Hotel, Mr C Hotel and many others.

ATHLETIC CAREER & UNTOLD STORY:

His Professional Athletic career then, started at the Hollywood Florida based Private Gym “The Heavyweight Factory”. Here, fighters of value such as Shannon Briggs, Jarrell Miller, Trevor Bryan, Evander Holyfield, Guillermo Jones, Anthony Joshua, Peter Quillin and Ukrainian Champion Wladimir Klitschko have done their most important training preparations and training camp.

But it wasn't easy fo walk in the main door... In October of 2016 Paolo went to The Heavyweight Factory looking for some hope: World champions of the past Michael Moorer and Riddick Bowe with legendary Mike Tyson's trainer Stacy Mckinley asked Paolo what he was looking for. Paolo said he wanted to be a professional fighter, and he was looking for the best manager and trainer. All he wanted was to have an opportunity, but at that moment they did not gave Paolo an opportunity.

Despite this, Paolo's desire and determination were bigger than anything else. In fact, he slept outside the gym seeking and waiting for his moment. That's when Michael Moorer and Riddick Bowe finally gave him a chance to step in the gym and train. They put him on the ring right away, asking Paolo to spar with WBA Champion Trevor Bryan. Boxing Legend Evander Holyfield also was watching his sparring bout and along with Riddick Bowe seeing Paolo's determination and aggressive grit immediately gave him the nickname “Rocky”. Paolo in fact managed to establish a good relationship with Evander Holyfield, showing him how driven he was to become a professional. In fact Evander Holyfield said to Paolo: “I've never seen anybody hitting the bag so hard.”

Paolo got entrusted under Detroit Kronx gym Former Coach Jessie Robinson, with who Paolo turned Pro; winning his first fights at the MGM and Motorcity Casino Detroit. After becoming professional Paolo also trained under the Don King Productions, "King Kong" Boxing Management ending up under the guide of Freddie Roach in Los Angeles.

Paolo became the sparring partner and has trained with WBA And WBC World Champions Luis Ortiz, Yuniel Dorticos, Trevor Bryan, Evander Holyfield, Greg Corbin, Eliseo Castillo, Jarrell Miller, Jeff Mayweather, Bernard Hopkins, Tyrone Spong, Yuri Foreman, Shannon Briggs, Guillermo Jones, Peter Quillin, Ivan Dychko and Wladimir Klitscko. 

PERSONALITY: 

Paolo is extremely driven by enthusiasm and energy. He's hardworking and relentless in pursuing any goals, helping as many people as possible to reach their own fitness goals.

It is Paolo's aim to help people fall in love with the world of sports, fitness and boxing.

MANAGEMENT:

Paolo is currently still a professional fighter under the USA Boxing Federation.

His career is managed by Jackie Kallen and the Promotion Factory, a company owned by his Manager Venanzio Ciampa.