US prospect Richard Torrez Jr remains unbeaten and on course for bigger things in boxing’s heavyweight division after coming through a tough test vs Guido Vianello in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
They say that good things come in small packages, and by today’s heavyweight standards Torrez Jr is not the biggest – just 6ft 2 ins tall and 229lbs for this 10-rounder streamed live by ESPN in the US (watch the full highlights at the bottom of this page).
The 25-year-old Top Rank prospect from Tulare, California emerged with a unanimous victory by scores of 97-92 and 98-91 (twice) to improve to 13-0 as a pro, with 11 of those wins coming by way of knockout.
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Vianello (now 13-3-1) is tough and durable, with the Vegas-based Italian having stopped the giant Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov in his last bout and only dropping a split decision to another Top Rank prospect in the shape of Efe Ajagba. This was an undeniable step up in class for ‘Kiki’.
Torrez Jr analysis
The bout was an entertaining one, with Torrez Jr fighting well on the inside and landing regularly with short, smart shots which hurt the lumbering Vianello. Guido though did fight back, and notably had Richard in a little trouble in Round 5 with a lovely right hook.
It was Torrez Jr landing the better shots all night though – his speed and power were too much for Guido. In particular a beautiful left hook in Round 8 almost closed the show, having Vianello on wobbly legs for the rest of a tortuous session.
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Torrez Jr again had Vianello in trouble in the final round but the Italian hung on to hear the final bell. The result though was never in doubt.
