Boxer Giorgio Visioli says he is now “catching people” after making an exciting start to his professional career.
The 21-year-old lightweight has forced stoppages against the three opponents he has faced so far, after an amateur career that was successful but lacked any knockout wins.
“I now get the chance to stop people,” Visioli told BBC Sport.
“In the amateurs you never set your feet, you’re constantly bouncing around but now I have time to pretty much do what I want and I’m catching people.”
The Guildford-born boxer, who lives in Aldershot, won Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) titles across two weight classes and turned professional in 2023 after signing with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing at the age of 20.
His professional debut was in Dublin on the undercard of Chantelle Cameron v Katie Taylor 2 in November 2023 where he produced a stunning first-round knockout, following it up with another in his second pro fight just months later.
A smile appeared on Visioli’s face when asked if he was ever keen to stay amateur for longer to give him another chance of representing Great Britain at the Olympic games.
“The Olympics were always a dream of mine,” he said.
“I had trials with GB and they decided not to take me, they put me on a development squad which was strange because they took boys that didn’t even win the nationals.
“I went up a weight class and beat the GB boy in the final that was on the podium squad. I easily beat him, 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 kickstart his professional career.
With the help of former IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards, Visioli found a manager and penned a deal with Hearn.
“Sunny Edwards recommended his manager and he said he had his eye on me for a while,” Visioli added.
“When GB found out I was going pro they called me up, they said they wanted to take me but I said I wouldn’t do it, why would you want me now and not then?”
On Saturday, Visioli fights his fourth professional bout on the undercard of Johnny Fisher v Alen Babic at the Copperbox Arena in London.
He takes on Tanzania’s Tampela Maharusi – who has 10 wins and six defeats in his career.
“It’s another good step up for me,” Visioli said.
“It’s good to have a decent opponent who has been in there with some skilled fighters.
“I don’t like to say too much but you’ll see a class performance, I’m going in there to get that W.”
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