The day Mussolini defeated an antifascist in a swordfight

it is known that Mussolini loved swordfights (illegal in those times), and it was tradition for him to accept challenges from socio-political figures such as the journalist Mario Missiroli, socialist deputy Francesco Ciccotti Scozzese, the anarchic Libero Merlino,major Cristoforo Baseggio and even his master Vittorino Maselli (where Adolf Hitler was present with other fascist and NS high rankers), everyone without a single loss, inspiring many of his comrades such as Ciano and Curzio Malaparte.

Claudio Treves, notorious antifascist journalist known for usage of aggressive and offensive terms in his articles against Benito or his ideals, challenged the Duce on 29 March 1915 in a swordfight; Benito obviously accepted.
Eyewitnesses talked about a bloody furious fight, 25 minutes divided in 8 consecutive assaults, no holds barred: Treves accused multiple cuts on the forehead, arm, armpit and contusions all over his chest, while Benito got his ear scarred.

This and many other sports performed by the Duce were propagandized with efforts to push citizens into physical activities.

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