Boxing, Vianello mocked: he loses to Rice by injury while he was dominating on points

It was paradoxically the best Guido Vianello of his career the one defeated in Verona (New York) by Jonathan Rice. The Roman heavyweight was betrayed by a very deep cut to the left eyebrow arch: a situation that led to the suspension of the match in the seventh round while he was firmly ahead on points. Initially the referee had attributed the cut to an involuntary headbutt: it would have meant reading the cards with consequent victory for the Roman. But then, following the protests from Rice’s corner, he verified on video that the cut had been determined by a precise and powerful right foot from the American during the sixth round.

In fact, it was the only shot of a certain thickness landed by Rice. For the rest, the Roman commanded the match, demonstrating in his first defeat as a professional (after 10 wins and a draw) that the 4 years in stars and stripes boxing have not passed in vain.

Mobile and determined, the Gladiator had a 4-point margin for two judges and 2 for the third at the time of stoppage. Factor not to be underestimated, also because Rice, while not a phenomenon, has in his roster match with elements of the caliber of former Olympic champion Yoka and the quoted Makhmudov and Ajagba. In short, a type known – and appreciated – in rings that are never as easy as the American ones, to the point of being given a slight favorite by bookmakers. A prediction that Vianello had overturned before that single, accursed blow.