BoxRec

Press Release

OPI Since 82, Italy’s leading boxing promoter, and American promotional powerhouse Top Rank, will collaborate on Friday, Oct. 28, at the Pala Atlantico in Rome.

The main event will see 2016 Italian and undefeated heavyweight knockout artist Guido Vianello (9-0-1, 9 KO), who is promoted by Top Rank, fight rugged Scottish veteran Jay McFarlane (13-6, 5 KO).

The fight night will be centered around the best talents that OPI Since 82 has in its roster.

Undefeated and talented Mirko Natalizi (12-0, 7KO) will defend his WBC Silver International super welterweight title against Welshman Tony Dixon (13-3, 4KO) who, nearly one year ago in Rome, won his last fight with a stunning first round-KO against Francesco Russo. The second title fight will be between the European super flyweight champion Stephanie Silva (6-0) and her mandatory challenger, Ewalina Pekalska (6-0). The third title bout will be a heated and local, Rome-based derby: Francesco Russo (11-2, 9 KO) will face Francesco Sarchioto (15-1, 5 KO) for the vacant Italian super welterweight National title.

Also on the undercard, Armando Casamonica (7-0, 1 KO) and Mauro Loli (7-4, 3 KO) will face off for the second time after their previous clash in November 2021. As opening acts of the evening, two prospects will make their professional debut: Mario Manfredi, middleweight, will begin his career with a 4-round fight and also Francesco Faraoni (brother of the Italian cruiserweight champion Mattia Faraoni), a middleweight himself, will test his abilities in a 4-round fight. Their opponents have yet to be confirmed.

Before the title fights, there will be a single intermission of AOB Boxing with two famous, Italian web content creators facing each other with gloves on: YouTubers Simone “Sim1Workout” Carotenuto and Domenico “Streetgorilla” Venditto will fight in their first official contest.

Vianello represented Italy in the 2016 Rio Olympics but now trains out of Las Vegas. The 6'6" heavyweight has fought exclusively in the United States as a pro, coming off a fourth-round knockout of Rafael Rios on July 23 in Hickley, Minnesota.

This event will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+, and Mola Tv will guarantee the exclusive live streaming for Italy, UK, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

The tickets for the show will be available soon on Boxol.it.

OPI usually work with Matchroom/DAZN

This will be on ESPN..

Vianello is promoted by TR so makes sense.

Vianello has had his moment. He's already a hasbeen/never was.

Final Press Conference

Jay McFarlane: “I am a different Jay McFarlane. I fought mental health problems, addiction problems, I will be relentless against Guido. I will make the matchmaker regret for giving me the contract and the opportunity to be here. I will let my fists flow like a crazy helicopter!”

Guido Vianello: “I am stronger than ever. I am mentally and physically ready. I want to bring everything I have learned in these years fighting abroad. McFarlane thinks he can pull an upset? Well, he should think about enjoying his spare time in Rome: it’s a beautiful city. But on Friday night it will be another story.”

The show promoted by OPI Since 82 in collaboration with Top Rank will be live on Friday on Mola TV (Italy and UK) and ESPN+ in the United States.

Tonight !!

1119792 wrote: ↑28 Oct 2022, 04:38 What time will this take place in UK?

Might look for a stream.

It's Italy, so it's one hour ahead of UK time. I'd say main event would be after 9 pm latest.

Card starts at 1:30 pm ET

Works out 6:30 pm UK.

Anyone got a stream on this?

This is going to be a tough nights work for jay.

Apparently was a one sided beat down.

McFarlane should have been saved by his corner.

Mcfarlane is earning a crust the hard way. If he wants to continue that, i think johny fisher vs Mcfarlane in an 8 rounder would be fun. (Fisher could have 2 or 3 more fights between while mcfarlanes brain rests).

I've lost interest in Guido. A couple of fights ago. Decent am but not a pro with any hope of making a mark.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑28 Oct 2022, 19:39

Apparently was a one sided beat down.

McFarlane should have been saved by his corner.

It was a one-sided beating. Jay was tough but was never in the fight

I was more interested in Natalizi (another easy win for Guido, he could just be on the European level), who looked like a killer while whipping Dixon. The guy has whips on his arms.

Russio/Sarchioto was a fun scrap from what I have seen.