Rising star Visioli ready for 'dream' US debut

Giorgio Visioli boxes in America for the first time this Saturday

Rising star Giorgio Visioli has described the chance to box in America as "a dream" at such an early stage in his professional career.

On Saturday, Visioli makes his US debut in Philadelphia on the undercard of Jaron "Boots" Ennis' world super-welterweight title final eliminator against Uisma Lima.

The 22-year-old from Aldershot is undefeated in eight professional bouts with six of those victories coming inside the distance.

"It's a dream to box in America so early on in my career," Visioli, who has moved up to lightweight from super-featherweight, told BBC Sport.

"A lot of fighters don't ever box over there so I'm really excited and ready to go. I was pretty gobsmacked when I was told it was happening, it gave me goosebumps."

Promoters, pundits and fans have long been excited about Visioli and the future he could have in the sport.

But earlier this year the noise around the silky southpaw increased tenfold after a trip to Las Vegas for sparring where he shared the ring with some big names and left a lasting impression.

Visioli sparred with unbeaten prospect Curmel Moton, who is promoted by the legendary Floyd Mayweather Jr.

After the trip, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn claimed Visioli "smashed him to pieces", something Moton later denied.

Since then, a number of people have called Visioli out, including Moton, as well as, more recently, the undefeated Zaquin Moses.

"I feel like everyone wants to fight me now," Visioli laughed.

"After coming back from that trip so many things went viral across social media. It gets me excited because I know there are some real big fights in the future for me.

"We're this new crop of fighters coming along since your Devin Haney and Tank (Gervonta) Davis, and we've all been going back and forth on social media.

"I don't know if there is another British fighter that is getting linked to American names like this - it's perfect and it makes sense to now box over there."

Giorgio Visioli has forced a stoppage in all but two of his professional fights

Visioli has caught the online attention of boxing fans across the world, with some of his highlight reel videos on social media attracting millions of views.

On Instagram, he has now amassed 56,000 followers, significantly more than many other fellow prospects in Hearn's stable.

"I'm not big with the talking because I like to do my talking in the ring," he added.

"People calling me out comes with pressure but if you want to compete at the top of the sport then you need that kind of pressure.

"Over the past year and a bit my profile has increased but my boxing ability has also improved massively alongside it - I can box across all different types of styles and I've proven that I carry power late into fights."

Some of those big fights could come further down the line but for now he has a job to do on Saturday with American James Wilkins his latest opponent.

The experienced Wilkins, 29, has a record of 13 wins and three defeats and will attempt to halt Visioli's momentum at Wells Fargo Center, home of the Philadelphia 76ers.

"I'm going to do a job on him," Visioli said.

"I plan on showing the world what I can do. I want to show the Americans there is a new kid in Britain and he is going to be something big.

"I'm going to go over there, put on a spectacular performance and provide a finish that gives me another viral video."