Italian boxing fans have been eagerly waiting to find out who will be the next opponent for our top heavyweight, Guido Vianello. Now, the mystery has finally been solved: the “Gladiator” will face American Richard Torrez Jr. on April 5 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
This fight will be of utmost importance for Vianello. The Italian boxer is in a highly favorable moment in his career, having recently delivered two outstanding performances that have propelled him up the international rankings, allowing him to nurture legitimate ambitions of reaching the top.
Last April, Guido faced the heavy-handed Nigerian Efe Ajagba as a clear underdog, managed to seriously rock him in the second round, and put on an incredibly competitive fight that slipped away from him only by Split Decision.
Despite the disappointment of that verdict—which could have easily gone his way—Vianello performed even better in his next bout, surprisingly dominating the massive Russian puncher Arslanbek Makhmudov, stopping him in the eighth round of a one-sided contest.
Richard Torrez Jr. is a heavyweight with a different skillset compared to the opponents the Gladiator has recently faced. The American is a short and stocky southpaw who constantly seeks close range, applies relentless pressure, and loves to trade punches at a blistering pace.
The Californian fighter does not possess elite technical skills, but his courage, suffocating pressure, and explosive left hand have led him to great success in the amateur ranks, earning him a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
However, those who followed Torrez as an amateur also remember the devastating KO he suffered at the hands of Bakhodir Jalolov in 2019, when his reckless style left him completely exposed to a brutal impact, rendering him unconscious on the canvas.
For Vianello, timing and counterpunching will be key, ensuring he is ready when Torrez attempts to overwhelm him with his wild attacks. Landing some heavy shots on the American will be crucial to slowing him down and shaking his confidence, steering the fight toward a more favorable path for our Italian contender.