By Ken Hissner: At Pala Atlantico, Roma, Lazio, Italy Friday over ESPN+ Bob Arum (Top Rank) presented in the Main Event Olympian Italy’s Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello impressed in defeating game Scotland’s Jay “The Ghost” McFarlane over 8 rounds.
(Photo credit: OPI Since 82)
In the Co-Main Event, WBC International Silver Super Welter champ Italy’s Mirko “Terminator” Natalizi stopped Wales Tony “The Welsh Terrier” Dixon after 5 rounds.
In the Main Event, Olympian Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello, 10-0-1 (9), of Roma, Lazio, IT, and Las Vegas, NV, defeated Jay “The Ghost” McFarlane, 13-7 (5), of Glasgow, Scotland, UK, over 8 rounds.
In the second round, Vianello continued giving McFarlane a boxing lesson. Twice Referee Francisco Ramacciotti warned McFarlane for hitting behind the head. In the third round, McFarlane hurt his right hand. In the fifth round, Vianello landed a right on the left eye of McFarlane that had him shaking his head.
In the sixth round, McFarlane continued following Vianello around the ring, throwing wild lefts, rarely landing, while Vianello countered him well. In the seventh round, with a minute remaining, a right from Vianello on the chin stopped McFarlane in his tracks.
A minute into the eighth and final round, Vianello landed a right uppercut followed by a left hook to the chin of the durable McFarlane. For the rest of the round, Vianello continued using his hand and foot speed to win every round against the game McFarlane to the delight of the home crowd.
Scores were 80-72 twice and 79-73, with this writer 80-72.
In the Co-Main Event, WBC Int’l Silver Super Welter champ Mirko “Terminator” Natalizi, 13-0 (8), of Roma, Lazio, IT, stopped Tony “The Welsh Terrier” Dixon, 13-4 (4), of Mountain Ash, Wales, UK, after 5 rounds of a 10.
In the second round, Natalizi knocked Dixon down. After the fifth round, Dixon couldn’t come out for the sixth.
Stephanie Silva, 7-0 (0), of Roma, Lazio, IT, defeated Ewelina Pekalska, 6-1 (0), of Poznan, POL, for the vacant EBU Euro Super Fly title, 10×2 rounds.
Scores were 97-93 twice and 98-92.
Francesco Russo, 12-2 (10), of Roma, Lazio, IT, stopped Francesco Sarchioto, 15-2 (5), #of Anzio, Lazio, IT, for the vacant Italian Super Welter title, at 2:08 of the 8th of a 10.
In the first round, Sarchioto controlled with a jab keeping wild-swinging Russo on the defense for the most part. At the end of the round, both delivered punches as the referee was too busy looking at the timekeeper.
In the second round, Russo drew blood from the nose of Sarchioto with an overhand right. Good round for Russo.
In the third round, it was all Russo backing Sarchioto against the ropes for the most part and rocking him with a right on the chin just prior to the bell. In the eighth round, Russo dropped Sarchioto. The referee waved the fight off.
In an opening rematch, the first won by majority decision by Super Light Armando “La Furia del Quadraro” Casamonica, 8-0 (1), of Roma, Lazio, IT, defeated southpaw Mauro Loli, 7-5 (3), of Roma, Lazio, IT, over 6 rounds.
In the second round, southpaw Loli received a small cut under the right eye. Casamonica, fighting southpaw and back to his normal orthodox, did well in the first two rounds against the taller Loli. In the third and fourth rounds, Loli picked up the pace getting the better of the action.
In the fifth round Casamonica the aggressor, had an edge. In the sixth and final round, both fought like the decision depended on it, and it might well be in a close fight. Casamonica may have won again in this rematch.
Scores were 58-55, 58-56, and 58-57 and 58-56 by this writer.