ITALIAN heavyweight Guido Vianello refined his credentials as a legitimate contender by bashing up Canadian puncher Alexis Barriere in five rounds. The wishful winner fancies a crack at Anthony Joshua next.
Stocky southpaw Barriere, 12-1 (10 KOs), arrived unbeaten, yet as somewhat of an unknown quantity. Clearly carrying power, at a certain level, Barriere was unable to make a serious dent in Vianello, 14-3-1 (12 KOs), despite landing plenty of sharp combinations, particularly the overhand left.
Vianello, who can bang a bit himself (see record above), was patient in the early going, using his nice left jab and greater experience to keep distance from the dangerman.
That was until the fourth round, when he came out with obvious intentions to get things done. Barriere was dropped, stunned and shaken up. Chief trainer ‘Sugar Hill’ Steward and referee Ricky Gonzalez both closely inspected the ambling heavy as he trudged back to the corner.
Barriere made it into the fifth round but was caught with a glancing finisher that sent him down and into the ropes. Cue wild celebrations from the corner of the ‘Gladiator’, who is back in the winning column following his defeat to Richard Torrez Jr.
After suffering some career turmoil under the Top Rank banner, Vianello has matured into a capable fringe professional. A draw with Kingsley Ibeh doesn’t look as bad now, considering Ibeh’s own upturn in fortune. Losing a split decision to Efe Ajagba in 2024 looks OK on paper for big Guido.
Vianello rebounded four months after the Ajagba reverse by stopping Arslanbek Makhmudov, who was seen defeating Dave Allen in Sheffield last night. The big Russian proceeded to call out Anthony Joshua. Vianello, who finished off Makhmudov in eight, was probably thinking, “Why not me?” and staked a claim for AJ on the DAZN mic.
