I now have the ability to stop people – Visioli

Boxer Giorgio Visioli says he is now “catching people” after enjoying an exciting start to his professional career.

The 21-year-old lightweight has forced stoppages against all three opponents he has faced so far, following an amateur career that was successful but without a knockout victory.

“I now have the ability to stop people,” Visioli told BBC Sport.

“In the amateurs, you never set foot, you’re constantly bouncing around, but now I have time to do pretty much what I want and I catch people.”

The Guildford-born boxer, who lives in Aldershot, has won Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) titles in two weight classes and turned professional in 2023 after signing with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing at the age of 20.

His professional debut came in Dublin as the opening act for Chantelle Cameron vs. Katie Taylor 2 in November 2023, where he scored a stunning first-round knockout, followed by another in his second professional fight a few months later.

A smile appeared on Visioli’s face when asked if he had ever wished he had stayed an amateur for longer to give him another chance to represent Great Britain at the Olympics.

“The Olympics have always been a dream of mine,” he said.

“I had trials with GB and they decided not to take me, they put me in a development team, which was strange because they took boys who hadn’t even won the national championships.

“I moved up in weight and beat the British boxer who was on the podium in the final. I beat him easily, won all three rounds and got a unanimous decision, but they didn’t take me.”

Following this disappointment, he decided to take matters into his own hands and launch his professional career.

With the help of former IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards, Visioli found a manager and signed Hearn to a contract.

“Sunny Edwards recommended his manager to me and he told me he had his eye on me for a while,” Visioli added.

“When GB found out I was turning pro they called me, they said they wanted to take me but I said I wouldn’t, why would you want me now and not later?”

Visioli will fight his fourth professional fight on the undercard of Johnny Fisher against Alen Babic at the Copperbox Arena in London on Saturday.

He will face Tanzanian Tampela Maharusi, who has 10 wins and six losses in his career.

“This is another big step forward for me,” Visioli said.

“It’s good to have a decent opponent who has been there with competent fighters.

“I don’t like to say too much, but you’ll see a classy performance, I’m going there to get that W.”

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