Clash of Nations: Heavyweight US vs UK Bouts Dominate the Weekend

This weekend, boxing fans are in for a treat — and not just because of the number of fights on the schedule. Two heavyweight US vs UK bouts headline the action on opposite sides of the globe, and while the men involved are at very different stages in their careers, both fights could shift the landscape of the division.

In Las Vegas, rising American hopeful Richard Torrez Jr. takes on a serious step-up opponent in Guido Vianello. It’s not a title eliminator, but it’s the kind of fight that tells us whether a young prospect is the real deal — or just hype.

Meanwhile, in Manchester, Joe Joyce and Filip Hrgovic are in a very different kind of situation. Both are in their 30s. Both have taken damage. Both need a win, badly. For them, this isn’t about building momentum. It’s about survival.

And that’s just the beginning. Let’s walk through the top matchups and storylines from this jam-packed fight weekend.

Las Vegas: Torrez Takes a Leap

Richard Torrez Jr. has been on a steady climb since turning pro after winning a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. The 25-year-old Californian is unbeaten at 12-0, with all but one win coming by knockout. He’s fun to watch — aggressive, explosive, and confident. He’s also got a great backstory and a likable personality, which never hurts.

But this weekend’s fight is different. Guido Vianello isn’t just another name on a resume. The Italian heavyweight, who also has Olympic experience, brings a solid 13-2-1 record with 11 knockouts and a big upset win last year over Arslanbek Makhmudov. That win changed the way people look at Vianello — and it should change the way we look at this matchup.

Vianello isn’t perfect. He’s been beaten, most recently by Efe Ajagba, and he was stopped by Jonathan Rice. But he’s tough, he can punch, and he has something to prove. This is the kind of test that could bring out the best — or the flaws — in Torrez.

If Torrez passes, he’ll move one step closer to becoming the next face of American heavyweights. If he doesn’t, well… boxing is unforgiving. One stumble can set a career back years.

Also in Vegas: Lightweight and Junior Welterweight Heat

The undercard is stacked with interesting matchups.

Lindolfo Delgado (22-0, 16 KOs), a 30-year-old junior welterweight, is fighting for more than a win. He’s trying to prove he belongs at the next level. He faces Elvis Rodriguez (17-1-1, 13 KOs), a talented southpaw who’s bounced back well from a tough loss in 2021. This one could be a war — both guys need it, both have power, and neither is shy about throwing punches.

Abdullah Mason, one of Top Rank’s top prospects, is also back in action. Mason (17-0, 15 KOs) had a rough moment last year when he got dropped twice in the first round by Yohan Vasquez. But he showed real grit by getting up and scoring a knockout in the second. He’ll face veteran Carlos Ornelas, who hasn’t fought in over a year but has experience and knows how to survive.

Also appearing on the card: Art Barrera (7-0), Albert Gonzalez (12-0), Steven Navarro (5-0), Jahi Tucker (13-1-1), and DJ Zamora (15-0). Each of these young fighters is looking to stay unbeaten and make some noise.

Manchester: Joyce and Hrgovic Face the Truth

Joe Joyce has always been a bit of a marvel. A giant of a man with granite in his chin and sledgehammers for hands, he built a reputation on durability and persistence. But lately, that armor has shown cracks.

After looking like a real title threat in 2022, Joyce’s 2023 was disastrous. He got stopped twice by Zhilei Zhang — once by damage, once by total domination. He came back this year and beat Kash Ali, but it wasn’t convincing. Then came the loss to Derek Chisora. At 39, Joyce looks like a fighter on the brink.

Filip Hrgovic, meanwhile, is trying to reclaim momentum. The 32-year-old Croatian had a controversial win over Zhang in 2022 and was set to fight for the IBF belt. But a fight with Daniel Dubois didn’t go his way — he lost by stoppage due to cuts. Still, he’s fresher than Joyce and likely has more left in the tank.

This fight will show us who still belongs. For Joyce, a loss might mean retirement. For Hrgovic, a win gets him back into the title picture. The stakes are enormous.

UK Undercard: Big Men and Bigger Ambitions

David Adeleye (13-1, 12 KOs) is trying to bounce back from a loss and get his heavyweight career back on track. He faces Jeamie Tshikeva (8-1, 5 KOs), a strong but raw fighter who’s hungry for a signature win.

Also on the card is an all-British showdown between unbeaten junior welterweights Jack Rafferty (25-0) and Cory O’Regan (14-0). Someone’s 0 has got to go — and it’s always fun when two unbeatens collide.

Source: TV Picks of the Week: Heavyweight headliners in the US and UK

Kazakhstan: Alimkhanuly Comes Home

Janibek Alimkhanuly has quietly become one of the best middleweights in the world. The 31-year-old holds the WBO and IBF titles, and he’s been handling opponents with ease. But this weekend is special. For the first time since his second pro fight, he’s fighting at home in Kazakhstan.

His opponent, Anauel Ngamissengue, is undefeated at 14-0 and brings a slick style and an upset over previously unbeaten Fiodor Czerkaszyn. Still, Janibek will be a heavy favorite.

Also on the card are standouts like Bakhodir Jalolov, Sultan Zaurbek, and Batyrzhan Jukembayev — all part of a stacked Central Asian boxing scene that keeps producing talent.

Other Notables: From Philadelphia to Australia

In Australia, former world champion Tim Tszyu returns after a brutal 2024. He lost his title in March and then was knocked out in October. Now 24-2, Tszyu is trying to get back on track against Joey Spencer (19-1), a young American with something to prove.

Over on ProBoxTV, welterweight Ricardo Salas (20-2-2) fights Kent Cruz (17-1-3) in Philadelphia. It’s a fun, competitive matchup, and the undercard features Mykquan Williams vs. Antonio Moran and Jonathan Lopez vs. Rene Alvarado — more young guns vs. seasoned veterans.

Final Thoughts: So Much to Watch, So Much to Learn

This weekend isn’t just about who wins and loses. It’s about answers. Is Richard Torrez Jr. ready for the spotlight? Can Joe Joyce keep going, or is this the end of the line? Will Tim Tszyu find his old form, or is the slide permanent?

From Las Vegas to Manchester to Kazakhstan and beyond, boxing is alive and buzzing. If you’re a fan, get your snacks, cancel your plans, and clear your schedule. Saturday is going to be a long, thrilling ride.

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