Richard Torrez Jr vs Guido Vianello Predictions: ‘Kiki’ goes in with the upset machine Vianello

American heavyweight hope Richard Torrez Jr. takes on Italy’s heavyweight danger-man Guido Vianello this Saturday, April 5. The fight takes place at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Sky Sports will screen the show live.

Here are my Torrez Jr. vs Vianello predictions ahead of this intriguing collision.

Richard Torrez Jr vs Guido Vianello Odds

Torrez is 4/9 to score his biggest career win so far. Vianello is 7/4 to log another big upset. A draw is priced at 16/1.

Richard Torrez Jr vs Guido Vianello Fight Preview

Torrez has made some noise in the heavyweight division since crossing over from a hugely successful amateur career. ‘Kiki’ won a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 games along with a raft of US National and Pan-American medals. 

Torrez’s bro career has largely gone as expected. He has knocked out a parade of rookies, journeymen and decent pros on a steady incline as he has progressed. ‘The Gentleman Boxer’ stopped then-unbeaten Brandon Moore in five rounds and inflicted the second loss on Isaac Munoz Gutierrez. The latter had taken Jermaine Franklin the distance, so Torrez knocking him out in three rounds was a good result.

But now Torrez takes his biggest leap yet as he faces a man known for pulling off the upset. 

After a controversial loss to Efe Ajagba, a split points defeat where many felt Vianello had done enough, the Italian earned another big fight. His quarry would be Arslanbek Makhmudov. The Canada-based Russian had been tipped for great things until Agit Kabayel undid him on a Riyadh Season card in four rounds. A knockout win over seasoned Miljan Rovcanin had righted the ship and Vianello was supposed to provide Makhmudov with another highlight-reel finish.

As with Ajagba, Vianello was not intimidated by his supposedly-superior foe. Vianello stopped Makhmudov in eight rounds to complete his ascension from also-ran to danger-man. Such a win, coming on the back of a fine display against Franklin, could have been a double-edged sword.

Vianello may have found himself frozen out as part of the “Who Needs Him?” club. Boxers who are not box office stars in themselves but who provide a robust and painful challenge to even the top names. It can be hard to match a fighter like that, but full credit to Torrez for taking this task.

In truth, Torrez needs a fight like this. Being the handsome, smiling face of American heavyweight boxing is all well and good. ‘Kiki’ has bags of charisma and charm. He is marketable. But eventually, you have to move through the gears. Vianello is the first opponent he has faced where there has been tangible doubt over the outcome.

This fight sees two timeless boxing archetypes collide. The heavily-hyped Olympic medallist meets the Rocky redemption story. Such was the influence of Sylvester Stallone’s 1976 masterpiece, you will find many fans gravitate to the latter. 

Many are also quick to bask in the pathos of a touted Olympian undone. Look at the joy when boxers like Amir Khan and Anthony Joshua have suffered. But this fight is not exciting because it provides possibility to gloat. It is fascinating due to its status as a true litmus test for both.

Torrez fights to prove that his skills are transferable. That this wonderful amateur has the minerals to go all the way in the pro sport. Vianello fights to prove that he is not just a gatekeeper and a roadblock for the best heavyweights. That he belongs among their number. Seconds out, this one should be good. 

Richard Torrez Jr vs Guido Vianello Full Card

Richard Torrez Jr. vs Guido Vianello

Lindolfo Delgado vs Elvis Rodriguez

Abdullah Mason vs Carlos Ornelas

Albert Gonzalez vs Dana Coolwell

Steven Navarro vs Juan Esteban Garcia

Jahi Tucker vs Troy Williamson

Art Barrera Jr vs. Daijohn Gonzalez

DJ Zamora vs Hugo Castaneda

Sammy Contreras Jr vs Robert Jimenez

Richard Torrez Jr vs Guido Vianello Prediction

I like Torrez. I think he does the basics well and he backs them up with a hell of a wallop. The American moves forward behind the southpaw jab, keeps that chin tucked and creates openings for his bombs.

Vianello is a warrior. He almost improves when taking fire. I have no doubt that chin that survived Ajagba’s biggest shots can endure against Torrez. The Italian will have to take two to give one, with Torrez being the quicker of the pair. But he will hang in there.

Despite the fact these two can bang, I actually think this goes the distance. Torrez will push Vianello and he loves that. There will be some beefy exchanges, a few shots that make you wince. But both men will remain standing at the end.

As for whose glove will be raised in victory, I like Torrez. His work is smoother and cleaner. He is more precise. I believe that will separate these men. Torrez to win on points is priced at 11/4.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.