December 17: Giorgio Visioli vs Joe Howarth
A supremely confident Giorgio Visioli has warned Joe Howarth that he is merely a stepping stone on his path to winning major titles.
The pair exchanged a frosty face-off on Monday night at Visioli’s old amateur stomping ground, Repton Boxing Club, as they gear up to their main event on Wednesday at London’s Indigo at The O2 – live worldwide on the Global Home of Boxing, DAZN.
The vacant English Lightweight Championship is up for grabs and unbeaten Visioli, who enjoyed a successful US debut earlier this year, is determined to end the year on a high when he takes on Dave Allen’s young charge Howarth in the capital.
“December 17, it’s a massive night for me at the Indigo,” said Visioli.
“I don’t overlook Joe at all – he’s a very good opponent. He’s got a good record, with only one loss on it. I train hard for every fight and I never underestimate anybody.
“But I genuinely believe that I will be a future World Champion, so it’s no disrespect to Joe but this is just a stepping stone for me and where I want to get to, pushing on for major titles in 2026.
“The last six months have worked out perfectly for me. My social media is growing and it’s more than I could have asked for since turning pro. I might not be the biggest of talkers, but I don’t need to be as my boxing does the talking for me in the ring.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn is excited to see Visioli lead an action-packed evening in London, featuring some of the next generation of British superstars – including Tiah-Mai Ayton, Taylor Bevan and the professional debut of the son of cult UK hero Kevin Mitchell, Connor Mitchell.
“It’s an absolutely stacked night with some of the most exciting young talent in the country on display,” said Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn.
“We’ll see the professional debut of Connor Mitchell, plus Tiah-Mai Ayton, Leli Buttigieg, Adam Maca, Taylor Bevan, William Crolla, Maisey-Rose Courtney and more – and we’ve got John Hedges vs Ellis Zorro to look forward to as well.
“With AJ fighting in Miami on Friday, along with a historic, huge night of boxing in Ghana on Saturday before ’Night of the Samurai’ in Riyadh over the festive period, we really are in for a bumper finish to what has been an incredible year.”