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.”   For all the latest news and updates, follow @matchroomboxing on social media.

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INDIGO CARD IN FULL – live on DAZN Giorgio Visioli vs Joe Howarth 10 x 3-minute rounds English Lightweight Championship John Hedges vs Ellis Zorro 10 x 3-minute rounds English Cruiserweight Championship Leli Buttigieg vs Victor Ionascu 8 x 3-minute rounds Middleweight Contest Taylor Bevan vs Mickey Ellison 8 x 3-minute rounds Super Middleweight Contest Connor Mitchell vs Francisco Rodriguez 4 x 3-minute rounds Super Bantamweight Contest Tiah-Mai Ayton vs Ana Karla Vaz De Moraes 8 x 3-minute rounds Bantamweight Contest Adam Maca vs Brandon Gallardo Vargas 4 x 3-minute rounds Super Bantamweight Contest William Crolla vs Harley Hodgetts 6 x 3-minute rounds Super Welterweight Contest Maisey-Rose Courtney vs Sara Orszagi 6 x 2-minute rounds Flyweight Contest Alexey Shendrik vs Christophe Mbori 6 x 3-minute rounds Super Lightweight Contest

A Christmas cracker is coming to London as one of the UK’s hottest prospects Giorgio Visoli headlines a card stacked with the next generation of British boxing superstars on Wednesday, December 17, at Indigo, at The O2 – live worldwide on the Global Home of Boxing, DAZN.

The festive Fight Night sees the unbeaten 9-0 (6 KOs) Lightweight return to the UK, fresh from his impressive US debut in Philadelphia earlier this month when he defeated James Wilkins.

Now he faces a tough test in an eliminator for the English title against the 14-1 (4 KOs) ‘Wigan Warrior’ Joe Howarth – managed by popular Heavyweight star, Dave Allen.

Visioli said:“I want to say a massive thanks to Eddie Hearn and Frank Smith at Matchroom Boxing for giving me the opportunity to headline at such a young age — it shows the belief they have in me. I’m buzzing to be doing it so close to home and I can’t wait to put on a show.

“Respect to Joe Howarth for taking the fight, but he’s just a man in my way. I’m going to beat him, look good doing it, and then move on to winning titles. I don’t believe Joe is on my level — and on fight night, the levels will be shown. He’s a good fighter, but he’s not ready for someone like me.

“I can’t wait to keep showing my class to the boxing world and make my mark on the 135-pound division.”

Howarth is confident he can upset Visioli and underline why he is a top prospect to watch in 2026.

“Finally, this is my chance to show how good I am,”said Howarth. 

“It’s good for me to box someone as talented as Visioli. In everyone’s eyes he’s a future World Champion, but I believe I’m every bit as good as him. I want to prove I’m a world class prospect.”

In the co-main event, the English Cruiserweight Title is on the line as ’The Gentleman’ John Hedges collides with Ellis Zorro.

Zorro, a former WBO European and British title challenger, stepped up to face the ‘King of the Cruiserweights’, Jai Opetaia, in December 2023 and was spectacularly stopped in the first round.

The Bromley fighter fell to Chev Clarke a year ago in Leeds too and will be looking to bounce back to winning ways after falling on points to Aloys Junior in Bournemouth back in July.

Former Southern Area holder Hedges is determined to add the huge domestic scalp of Zorro to his CV, and notably stage a winning performance in honour of his late trainer, Ricky Hatton.

Hedges said:“Winning the English Title puts my name in with the best. Zorro has been in with some top contenders and beating him style puts eyes on me. This one is for Ricky!”

Zorro believes he has a chance to restart his career and has vowed he will not let this opportunity pass by.

He sad:“This is the part two of my career, a chance to win the English title, resurrect myself and move forward to where I feel I belong”.

Promising Super Bantamweight sensation Conor Mitchell – the son of cult British boxing favourite, Kevin Mitchell – makes his professional debut for Matchroom Boxing in his home city of London, with a bumper crowd expected to cheer on the two-time amateur National Champion.

Mitchell said:“I’m buzzing to be making my Matchroom debut. It’s a massive platform and the perfect stage to show everyone what I’m about. I’ve been working hard in the gym and I’m ready to put on a statement performance for the fans.”

Tiah-Mai Ayton – the teenage wonderkid dubbed by the legendary Katie Taylor as the future greatest of all time – returns to action in what is the Bristol fighter’s fourth professional contest of the year. 

And after a successive first outing to the capital earlier this month, Ayton is ready to light up The Indigo at The O2 and kickstart her push to claim championships next year.

Ayton said:“I had a week off last week but now it’s straight back in the gym again for December 17th. I can’t wait to get back to London again and make it 4 and 0 as a pro and then in 2026 I want to start chasing titles.”

Fellow exciting prospects Leli Buttigieg, Taylor Bevan and Adam Maca are also on the exciting card – with the trio plotting to make respective statements to close out the year.

Buttigieg said: “I can’t wait to be back out again just before Christmas, ready to finish the year in style. Expect a big turn out and win from myself.”

Bevan added:“I’m very grateful to Matchroom for keeping me so busy since turning professional. This will be my 7th fight in just over a year so it’s been very busy but I’ve loved every minute of it so far. It’s great to be back out so soon again and I’m looking forward to another great night on December 17 and ending the year with another good win.”

And Maca said: “Having back to back fights in London is really exciting. I’m grateful to Matchroom for keeping me active, I think that is key. I’m looking forward to once again showcasing my skills and continuing to bring everyone watching along on my journey.”

Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn says British fight fans are in for a real treat before Christmas with a glimpse into the future of the sport.

Hearn said: “If you want to see some of the future stars of British Boxing, then look no further. This festive fight night has got it all. It’s a great test for Giorgio Visioli in London, in what I am sure will be the first of many events in which he headlines. This is a Christmas cracker!”

Tickets – priced at £40, £60, and £120 – go on general sale next Tuesday. For more information visit: matchroomboxing.com

PHILADELPHIA--Jaron Ennis won the WBA Interim Super Welterweight title with a first round anhelation of Uisma Lima at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia

Early in round one, Ennis landed a right hook that rocked Lima and after a wicked flurry sent Lima to the canvas. The fight was basically over as Lima was dropped again from vicious flurry. With Lima in serious trouble, Ennis opened up with another barrage of punches in the corner and referee Shawn Clark stopped the bout at 1:58.

Ennis Of Philadelphia is 35-0 with 31 knockouts. Lima of Portugal is now 14-2.

Vianello Stops Barriere in Five

Guido Vianello stopped Alexis Barriere in round five of their 10-round heavyweight bout.

In round four, Vianello landed two hard rights on the ropes that was followed up by a flurry that put Barriere on the canvas. In the opening seconds of Vianello landed a big right to the side of the head that put Barriere down for the count and the fight was over at 26 seconds.

Vianello of Rome, Italy is now 14-3-1 with 12 knockouts. Barriere of Quebec, CAN is 12-1.

Smalls Drops, Decisions Roman

Tahmir Smalls remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision oer Jose Roman in a welterweight bout.

In round three, Smalls dropped Roman with a powerful right hand.

Smalls of Philadelphia won by scores of 98-91, 96-93 and 95-94 and is now 16-0, Roman of Bayamon, PR is 14-2.

Thompson Outlasts Diaz

In a six-round toe-to-toe-slugfest between undefeated super bantamweights, Dennis Thompson won a six-round split-decision over Sean Diaz.

In round five, Diaz was deducted a point for holding. That point was huge as the judges saw the bout 60-53 Thompson, 57-56 Diaz, 57 -56 Thompson.

Thompson of Philadelphia is now 8-0. Diaz of Guadalajara, MEX is 9-1.

Zaquin Moses won a six-round unaninous decision over Antonio Dunton-El in a super featherweight bout.

Moses of Newark, NJ won b scores of 60-54 on all cards and s now 5-0. Dunton-El of Baltimore is 6-5-2.

Georgio Visioli won an eight-round unanimous decision over James Wilkins in a lightweight fight.

Visioli of Aldersob, EMG won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 9-0. Wilkins of Staten Island, NY is 13-4.

Harley Maderos remained undefeated with a stoppage of Hylon Williams Jr.. after round one of their six-round lightweight bout.

Maderos dropped Williams twice and dominated. The corner of Williams stopped the bout after the opening frame.

Maderos of Brooklyn is 9-0 with eight knockouts. Williams of Houston is 16-7-1.

Naheem Parker won a six-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Justin Palmieri in a lightweight bout.

Parker of Camden, NJ won on all cards by a 60-54 tally and is now 6-3. Palmieri of Malple Shade, NJ is 5-1.

George Liddard remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Derrick Osaze in a middleweight bout in London, England

Liddard, 159.3 lbs of Billericay, ENG won by scores of 97-93 and 96-94 twice and is now 11-0. Osaze, 159.4 lbs of Nottingham, ENG is 13-3.

Junaid Bostan and Bilal Fawaz batted to a 10-round split draw in a super welterweight fight.

Scores read 96-94 for Bostan, 97-93 for Fawaz and 95-95.

Bostan, 153.4 lbs of Rotherham, ENG is 10-0-1. Fwaz, 152.6 lbs of London is 9-1-1.

Jimmy Sains kept his perfect knockout streak intact with a seventh round stoppage of Pierre Rosadini in a scheduled eight-round middleweight bout.

In round five, Sains landed a hard right hand that hurt Risadini and then dropped him with a follow up right along the ropes. In round seven, Sains landed a booming right that snapped the head and dropped Rosadini. Rosadini got to his feet, but the fight was stopped at 2:33.

Sains, 164.3 lbs of Brentwood, ENG is 9-0 with nine knockouts. Rosadini, Marsellie, FRA is 6-7-3.

Georgio Visioli stopped Francisco Javier Lucero after round five in a scheduled eight-round super featherweight bout.

Visioli of Aldershot, ENG is now 6-0 with five knockouts. Lucero of Hermosillo, MEX is 16-7-4.

Taylor Bevan stopped Szymon Kajda in round two of their six-round super middleweight fight.

In round two, Bevan dropped Kajda with a right uppercut. Another huge right uppercut put Kajda on the deck for a second time. Bevan was right on Kadja and landed three more hard blows that was finished off by a right to the head and the fight was stopped at 1:31.

Bevan, 169.3 lbs of Cardiff, WAL is 2-0 with two knockouts. Kajda, 166.1 lbs of Olkusz, POL is 1-1-1.

Jesse Brandon remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes De Oliveira in a super lightweight contest.

Brandon oof Collindale, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is now 5-0. De Oliveira of Muana, BRA is 6-19.

Leli Buttigieg won a six-round decision over James Todd in a middleweight fight.

Buttigieg of Newhan, ENG won by a 58-56 score and is now 7-0. Todd of Swansea, ENG is 4-5-2.

Maiseyrose Courtney won a six-round decision over Jasmina Nad in a super flyweight bout.

In round five, nad began to bleed from the nose.

Courtney, 111.9 lbs of Eitham, ENG won by a 60-54 talley and is now 8-1.

Katie Taylor avenged her first professional defeat to win a majority decision over Chantelle Cameron to win the Undisputed Junior Welterweight Title in front of a raucous crowd at 3 Arena in Dublin, Ireland

It was an action packed fight with Taylor landing the crisper combinations that had the crowd on their feet throughout the “Fight of They Year” Candidate. Cameron was courageous in defeat as she fought through a bad cut on her forehead that started in the second round.

Taylor, 139.6 lbs of Bray, Ireland won by scores of 98-92, 96-94 and 95-95 and is now 23-1. Cameron, 139.5 lbs of Northampton, ENG is 18-1.

Cully Edges By Mould Via Split Decision

Gary Cully came back from his first professional defeat by winning a 10-round split decision over Reece Mould in a lightweight bout.

Cully, 134.5 lbs of Naas, IRE won by scores of 97-93, 96-93 and Cully won a scorecard by a 97-93 total.

Cully landed 77 of 305 punches. Mould landed 92 of 261.

Cully is now 17-1. Mould, 134.1 lbs of Dorncaster, ENG is 18-2.

Donovan Stops Ball in Four

Paddy Donovan remained undefeated by stopping Danny Ball in round four of their 10-round welterweight fight.

In round four, Donovan dropped Ball with a hard left hand. Donovan then unloaded on Ball and dropped him again with a hard flurry of punches. The corner of Ball threw in the towel at 2:41.

Donovan, 146.5 lbs of Limerick, ENG is 12-0 with nine knockouts. Ball, 146.7 lbs of Kingswingford, ENG is 13-2-1.

Carty Stops Garber in 8th and Final Round

Popular heavyweight Thomas Carty stopped Dan Garber in the final minute of the eighth and final round.

Carty beat Garber down and in round eight, landed a hard left to the body that took the starch out of Garber and then dropped him after a few follow up punches at 2:19.

Carty, 154.3 lbs of Dublin, IRE is now 8-0 with seven knockouts. Garber, 220.5 lbs of Bradford, ENG is 5-2.

Skye Nicolson retained the WBC Interim Featherweight title with a ninth round stoppage of Lucy Wildheart.

Nicolson Defends Interim Title with 9th round Stoppage of Wildheart

Nicolson won every one by boxing and breaking down Wildheart. Wildheart was bleeding all over her face. the fight was stopped when the corner of Wildheart threw in the towel as Nicolson was landing an unanswered flurry of punches at 1:11.

Georgio Visioli made a spectacular pro debut with a first-round stoppage over Lee Anthony Sibley in a super featherweight bout.

Visioli landed a perfect left hook that put Sibley on the canvas. Sibley got to his feet, but the fight was stopped at 1:21.

Visioli, 134.9 lbs of Guidford, ENG is 1-0 with one knockout. Sible, 133.5 lbs of La Oliva, SPA is 3-2.