 From October 1980 to August 1981, Oliva won thirteen straight fights before he fought for his first title belt, the Italian light welterweight title against Giuseppe Russi on 4 November 1981 in Ischia.Oliva handled Russi with ease winning the title with a second round knockout.Oliva followed his first title win by winning a further eleven straight fight between November 1981 and October 1982.