Guido Vianello once occupied the position Richard Torrez is in.

The Italian Olympian was a heavyweight prospect hyped up by promoter Top Rank, destined, it appeared, for a world title shot. The 6-foot-6, 242-pound Vianello undoubtedly looked the part, at times anyway, as he built his record to 7-0 and won all of those bouts by knockout or technical knockout.

A six-round majority draw with unheralded Kingsley Ibeh immediately transformed Vianello from prospect to suspect in October 2020. Another underdog, Jonnie Rice, left Vianello with a deep, disgusting cut along his left eyebrow and the first professional loss on the defensively deficient fighter’s record in January 2023.

That technical-knockout defeat, a consequence of a cut caused by a punch, made Vianello reassess his career and how and with whom he prepared for fights. He lost a split decision to Nigerian contender Efe Ajagba, but that 10-rounder almost a year ago could’ve gone either way according to Top Rank founder Bob Arum.

Vianello didn’t hesitate, either, when Arum’s matchmakers presented two more difficult fights for him, most recently this 10-rounder with Torrez on Saturday night in Las Vegas. The 30-year-old Vianello’s confidence is higher than ever entering their main event because he rather easily dealt with Arslanbek Makhmudov, whom he stopped in the seventh round of his last fight.

Germany’s Agit Kabayel (26-0, 18 KOs) battered Makhmudov (19-2, 18 KOs) into submission with body shots in the huge Russian’s previous appearance. Vianello nonetheless impressed his handlers by beating Makhmudov so convincingly August 17 at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.

“We saw the difference,” Vianello said during a press conference Thursday at Palms Casino Resort. “When you grow, you understand how the life is working and where you have to put your energy. So, my energy is only one way. And yeah, with Makhmudov, it was just a warmup for me. So, now is the start for my pro career. … It was an easy fight.”

Though taller and heavier than the 6-foot-2, 229-pound Torrez, Vianello understands this fight will be anything but easy. The left-handed Torrez, of Tulare, California, applies pressure relentlessly and has knocked out all but one opponent since he turned pro three years ago (12-0, 11 KOs).

Facing Vianello (13-2-1, 11 KOs) is the most dangerous assignment Torrez has accepted since he signed with Top Rank after winning a silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo in August 2021.

“Richard is a very strong guy,” Vianello said. “He’s young like me. Well, he’s younger [25]. We are two young guys. So, he’s southpaw, strong guy. He has an Olympic medal, so big respect for him, yeah. … With my strong mind, my strong legs, my strong punches, I have everything [to win] this fight.”

Torrez-Vianello is the main event of a nine-fight card ESPN+ will stream from the Palms’ Pearl Theater. Torrez is approximately a 2-1 favorite according to DraftKings.

Mexican junior welterweight contender Lindolfo Delgado (22-0, 16 KOs) will box Dominican southpaw Elvis Rodriguez (17-1-1, 13 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature. Delgado-Rodriguez is expected to begin sometime shortly after 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT).

Undercard coverage will begin on ESPN+ at 5:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. PT).