Giorgio Visioli overcame his first significant test as a professional, defeating Joe Howarth by unanimous decision on Wednesday at The O2 Indigo in London to win the vacant English lightweight championship. The scores were 100-91, 98-92 and 97-93, all for Visioli, 10-0 (6 KOs), of Aldershot, Hampshire in the United Kingdom. Howarth, the Central Area lightweight champ from Wigan in Lancashire, drops to 14-2 (4 KOs) as a pro.
The sharp-shooting southpaw got off to a quick start, using his uppercut and right hook to counter the aggression from Howarth. Howarth wasn’t easily deterred, using his left hook in the middle rounds to cut off Visioli’s movement and then landing his straight right.
Even if he wasn’t winning rounds, Howarth succeeded in dragging Visioli into deep waters, bloodying his nose in the sixth with counter jabs. Visioli hurt Howarth in the ninth round with a right hook to the body. Howarth doubled over, but fought back bravely, earning him the ability to hear the final bell.
The 22-year-old Visioli, who is managed by Sunny Edwards, has now won five fights in 2025.
