Boxing enthusiasts are gearing up for a thrilling heavyweight showdown as Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello is set to face off against rising American star Richard Torrez Jr. The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, April 5, at the Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, promising a night of high-stakes action in the heavyweight division.
This matchup marks a significant moment for Rome-born Vianello as he steps into the ring against Torrez, a U.S. Olympic silver medalist, in what is anticipated to be a seismic clash of boxing styles and ambitions. The fight, promoted by Top Rank, will be broadcast live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S., bringing this international boxing event to a wide audience.
Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum highlighted the excitement surrounding the fight, stating, “This has all the makings of a heavyweight classic, two athletic big men with power and tremendous determination. Top Rank has promoted Richard and Guido from the start of their respective professional careers, and I look forward to seeing how the fight unfolds at the Palms Casino Resort.”
Guido Vianello (13-2-1, 11 KOs), known as “The Gladiator,” has been steadily building his reputation in the heavyweight ranks. Fighting out of Italy, Vianello started his professional journey with a series of impressive first-round knockouts, showcasing his power and aggressive style. After an early draw against Kingsley Ibeh, Vianello demonstrated resilience and determination, reigniting his career with notable performances in 2024. He secured a swift first-round stoppage against Moses Johnson and then engaged in a hard-fought split decision loss to top contender Efe Ajagba – a bout that was considered a Fight of the Year contender by many.
Vianello’s most recent victory came in August when he traveled to Quebec City and delivered a dominant eighth-round TKO against local favorite Arslanbek Makhmudov. This win significantly elevated his status and proved his readiness to take on top-tier heavyweight fighters. Now, Guido Vianello aims to conquer another home country hero in Richard Torrez Jr., seeking to establish himself as Top Rank’s premier heavyweight and set his sights on world title contention.
Richard Torrez Jr. (12-0, 11 KOs) is stepping up in competition as he faces Vianello. Hailing from Tulare, California, Torrez captured an Olympic silver medal in the super heavyweight division at the Tokyo Games. Known for his southpaw stance and high-volume punching, Torrez transitioned smoothly into professional boxing. Since turning pro in March, he has rapidly ascended the ranks, demonstrating both skill and knockout power. Despite his knockout streak being interrupted by a disqualification victory against Joey Dawejko, Torrez quickly returned to his winning ways with a decisive third-round knockout of Issac Munoz in December.
Looking ahead to the fight, Guido Vianello expressed his enthusiasm and confidence. “I am excited for this fight. After fighting Makhmudov, I showed I was ready for anyone. Richard is a talented young fighter, but he has never faced anyone like me. I will show myself to be Top Rank’s best heavyweight and move on to challenge for world titles.” Vianello’s statement underscores his ambition and belief in his ability to overcome Torrez and climb further in the competitive heavyweight landscape.
The upcoming clash between Guido Vianello and Richard Torrez Jr. is more than just a fight; it’s a pivotal moment for both fighters as they aim to solidify their positions in the heavyweight division. For Guido Vianello, a victory over the highly-regarded Torrez would be a statement win, propelling him closer to his world title aspirations. Boxing fans worldwide should mark their calendars for April 5th to witness this anticipated battle between “The Gladiator” Guido Vianello and Richard Torrez Jr. live from Las Vegas, exclusively on ESPN+.
