Guido Vianello Targets Fights With Top Heavyweights: ‘Give Me A Name And Three Months’

Italian heavyweight Guido Vianello believes he is ready to challenge any of the top fighters in the division after gaining confidence from his impressive victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov.

Vianello (13-2-1 11 KO) produced the finest performance of his career to date to stop Makhmudov (19-2-0 18 KO) inside eight rounds in Quebec City, Canada earlier this month.

Facing the fearsome Makhumov, who had only lost to high-ranking contender Agit Kabayel having broken his hand early in their December 2023 fight, ‘The Gladiator’ demolished the Russian by busting up and shutting his left eye. He continuously targeted the injury with sharp and accurate punches until the doctor stepped in and called the fight.

The victory was also a measure of revenge for Vianello, who lost to Makhumdov in the amateur ranks nine years ago.

So impressive was Vianello’s display that it will surely push the Italian closer to the upper end of the heavyweight division. Before facing Makhumov, Vianello was not ranked in the top 15 of any of the four major sanctioning bodies, but he can expect to see his name when the lists are next updated.

He had already offered a glimpse of his ability by pushing top-10 ranked contender Efe Ajagba to a split-decision in his first 10-round fight that went the distance. Now that he’s training harder and taking his career more seriously, Vianello insists there is still plenty more to come and wants to prove it by testing himself against the best in the division.

“I really know now who I am,” Vianello told Boxing Social. “I can fight with everybody. I need just one name and three months, and I can fight with all the heavyweights. I really want to become a world champion. I can’t wait to have a new fight and train for that.”

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Vianello boldly targeted former unified world champion Anthony Joshua as a possible opponent, although realistically he will need to prove he belongs at the tier below before he can make credible claims to challenge the likes of A.J, who fights IBF title holder Daniel Dubois on September 21 in London, England.

If Vianello wants to earn a world title shot, there is a bracket of fighters including Kabayel, Filip Hrgovic, Jermaine Franklin, and Martin Bakole – who dominated Jared Anderson on August 3 – the Italian would need to defeat to boost his title claims.

“We have many good heavyweights now, so there are a lot of good names,” Vianello said. “Let’s see who gives me the best chance, because it’s just about giving me the possibility to fight with a top name. Now I’m taking a good ranking, so I want someone better than me. Let’s see who wants to fight with me. I am ready.”

At 6ft 4in and possessing power, speed, and solid movement, 30-year-old Vianello has the tools to be a factor in the heavyweight division, but much sterner tests await to prove it.