Giorgio Visioli is expecting to fight for the British lightweight title later in 2026 if he successfully defends the English title on Saturday against Levi Giles.
He makes the first defense of the vacant championship he won in December against Joe Howarth when on the undercard of George Liddard-Tyler Denny at London’s Copper Box Arena he confronts the 29-year-old Giles – the 11th professional put in his path.
Visioli’s promise has perhaps been demonstrated by Matchroom’s willingness to showcase him on the undercard of a recent promotion in the US.
He and they continue to welcome speculation regarding a potential fight with the promising Curmel Moton on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao II, but they also have plans for three fights in 2026 – the third for the British title held by Louie O’Doherty.
“I discussed with Mark [Tibbs], my coach, but we need a few English-level, tough guys that can take you the distance; give you the experience; take you into those deep waters,” he told BoxingScene. “Just so I’m ready for when I step up to the British; European level.
“I’ve seen the plan [Matchroom have for me]. I’ve seen the route – and the route is fighting for a British title in two fights, at the end of the year. Get some [more] experience, then fight for the British.
“[Giles is] a good opponent. Probably the best I’ve fought, on paper, to date. He’s been in with some decent, well-known names – got a close fight with [Michael] Gomez Jnr. He’s a tough English fighter – that’s what I need. A few of these, before I step up even more. I’m looking forward to fighting Levi. It’d be a good test. But there’s levels to this, and it’ll be shown on fight night.
“He’s been in with better opposition. But the fight before, Joe Howarth, I think is a better opposition than Levi. Even [past opponent] James Wilkins – he’s on the same level as Levi. But on paper Levi’s got the best record out of the lot. Levi’s still a very decent opponent for me.
“He’s tough. He’s game. He’s gonna be in front of me, and I think he’s got a very good chin and a good jab. He’s very guard up high. I’ve got to break him down. I’ve got to frustrate him a lot.
“I don’t think he’s as quick as me. I don’t think he’s got the amateur experience I have, in terms of who I’ve been in with. My quickness; my youth; my speed; everything. But there’s no underestimating him.
“In terms of experience, fighting Joe Howarth – doing the 10 rounds, which I’ve never done before, going into those later rounds, and headlining my first show… that’s a big experience in terms of dealing with the pressure; all the noise at a young age; you get tipped to be this, that and the other. I dealt with it and going into this fight gives you a bit more ease. Less pressure, ‘cause you’ve done it. [It] definitely, definitely gives you the confidence of going into the next fight.”
The 22-year-old Visioli’s profile is growing overseas largely on account of his rivalry with Moton, but also because Matchroom matched him with James Wilkins on the undercard of Jaron “Boots” Ennis’ victory over Uisma Lima in Philadelphia in October.
He, similarly, sparred Regis Prograis while they were both in Las Vegas, and Prograis has since been open about the potential he believes Visioli has.
“A lot of people knew who I was,” Visioli said of his time in the US. “My social media – Great Britain’s my highest following, but then it’s the United States, and that’s obviously helped through the Moton situation and fighting James Wilkins. I’m definitely getting more known in the States; I’ve been on a few big interview channels in America. It’s not just Moton talking about me – I’ve heard fighters like Zaquin Moses; [Deric] ‘Scooter’ Davis. I’m getting linked, and it’s nice to see. Not a lot of British prospects are getting linked to American names.
“I think they’re all Moton fans. But I think a lot of people think I do beat that kid up.
“We want it. Eddie wants it. Frank Smith wants it. But we haven’t actually had any conversations. I don’t know whether they’ll take it, just ‘cause of his age. He hasn’t really been active. I do see it happening, but it’s a hard one to say [soon], because of his age. I’m fully focused on Levi but we do want to have chats after the fight.
“We only did four rounds [with Prograis] on one day, just because I needed to make up some rounds. When I come back to that gym he said he wanted some more rounds with me, and I appreciate him saying that. It was really good work. He’s a top guy. You normally go to these gyms and they’ve got big egos and don’t wanna speak but he was very welcoming – it was good rounds. You could see his ability in there. Obviously he’s a little bit older now – I’m sharper than him. But he’s got all those little tricks. I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to get in the ring with Regis, and now he’s got a massive fight [against Conor Benn].”
