In Italy, the name Giorgio Visioli will be unfamiliar to most. But this young English boxer, of very clear Italian roots, is making a name for himself in England through a series of excellent performances.
The 22-year-old from Guildford, just a few miles from London, has shown outstanding boxing skills in only nine bouts (9-0-0, 6 KOs), confirming the promise he had already displayed as an amateur.
His strong performance last October 11 in Philadelphia against James Wilkins — his first fight on American soil — only increased Giorgio’s visibility, allowing him to secure the most important slot on this Matchroom Boxing show.
At London’s Indigo O2 Arena, Visioli faced fellow countryman Joe Howarth (14-1, 4 KOs) over 10 rounds. The two boxers battled for the English lightweight title, with Visioli emerging victorious by unanimous decision, on the following scorecards: 100-91, 98-92 and 97-93.
The wide margins on the cards should not be misleading: Howarth fought bravely and caused Visioli more than a few problems. What penalized him were a lack of real punching power and a clearly lower work rate than his Italian-rooted rival.
Giorgio entered the ring with a distinctive low left-handed guard, far from orthodox, constant movement and a relentless output of punches. Howarth appeared more traditional stylistically, well-schooled and solid.
Visioli’s hand speed stood out immediately — quite literally lightning-fast. Giorgio worked extensively behind his right jab, which he uses to control distance, find openings for the left cross and unleash rapid, extended combinations. Despite his constant movement to avoid being a stationary target, his arm positioning sometimes left him exposed to avoidable shots, such as when, after a sharp two-handed body attack, Howarth answered back with a straight right to the face. Or early in the fifth round, when Howarth landed a clean left hook flush.
Even so, Giorgio looked calm and composed. The impression was that of solid punch resistance, although his chin will need to be tested against harder punchers.
Giorgio’s offensive output allowed him to control most of the fight, but from the fifth round onward Joe’s punches began to land more frequently. While not powerful, the 23-year-old from Wigan showed good boxing intelligence, finding ways to trouble his opponent, especially with the left hook and straight right.
Visioli, however, possesses outstanding attributes: beyond his already noted hand speed, he moves incessantly, has excellent ring vision and reflexes, and throws solid punches from unusual angles.
The bout was thoroughly entertaining. After a big left hook from Howarth, Giorgio responded with a flurry of punches to head and body. But a sharp straight right from Joe put Visioli on alert, and from that moment on Giorgio began bleeding heavily from the nose. Buoyed by confidence, Howarth pressed harder, also showcasing a very good left jab.
In the final rounds the fight turned into a true dogfight, with Howarth chasing Visioli around the ring, while Giorgio frantically moved and pumped out the jab to keep his opponent at bay. There were many exchanges at mid and close range, with both fighters trading decisively and at times chaotically. Trailing on the scorecards, Howarth repeatedly searched for a fight-changing blow, once again with the left hook. But Giorgio held firm and responded with a beautiful two-handed combination to head and body that Howarth clearly felt, leaving him helpless and close to being stopped in the ninth round.
In the closing moments of the fight, the momentum swung back to Visioli, but a few moments of overconfidence and his “cheeky” stance allowed Howarth to land two dangerous straight shots late, once again putting Giorgio on notice.
At the final bell, both fighters were warmly applauded for their sportsmanship and for the excellent spectacle they provided.
There was no doubt about the correctness of the verdict, which rewarded the sharper and more active boxer on the night. But Howarth proved himself to be a good, solid fighter with quality punches. Giorgio Visioli thus continues his steady path of growth, being “crowned” English lightweight champion.