Claudio Squeo

Giuseppe Claudio Squeo, known by his ring name "The Red Bull," was born on February 13, 1991, in Terlizzi, Puglia, Italy. Squeo fights out of Molfetta, Puglia, and employs an orthodox stance, standing at 5 feet 9 inches tall. He turned professional on September 16, 2017, and on April 19, 2024, he defeated Niklas Rasanen in Rome to claim the IBF European Cruiserweight title by unanimous decision, despite suffering a knockdown in the second round.

Before that momentous occasion, Squeo built his record with consistent victories. He achieved a unanimous decision over Lebogang Mashitoa on November 24, 2023, and a points win against Julio Cesar Calimeno on July 29, 2023, both in his hometown of Molfetta. On December 9, 2022, he stopped Gabriele Guainella in the second round, a result he replicated on March 5, 2022, against Smajlovic. He also scored consecutive second-round TKOs against Soso Abuladze in November 2021, Hrvoje Bozinovic in July 2021, and Dragan Dragojević in June 2021, demonstrating both his power and consistency. Additionally, in April 2021, he earned a unanimous decision over Andrea Coffaro, showcasing his ability to go the distance while maintaining control.

Squeo’s personal life reflects a quiet defiance of traditional Italian lifestyle norms. In a country celebrated for its leisurely pace, long family meals, stylish self-expression, and emphasis on balance over brutality, Squeo lives by a distinctly different code. His daily routine revolves around early mornings, intense sparring sessions, and a diet designed for combat rather than comfort. While many in his region of Puglia might pursue stable jobs, family-run businesses, or government positions, Squeo chose the path of a fighter—an unforgiving profession that exists outside the accepted standards of security and status in Italian society.

Claudio Squeo brings a throwback intensity to the ring, blending the raw spirit of his idol Rocky Marciano with modern technical adaptations. His jab is heavy-handed and serves as a tool for disruption rather than just a means of finding range. He often doubles up on his jab to push opponents back instead of flicking it for speed. Squeo’s footwork is deliberate and grounded, allowing him to absorb pressure while gradually advancing with calculated steps. His movement draws inspiration from old-school Italian brawlers—he stays flat-footed yet knows how to shift side to side, subtly trapping opponents with tight-angle pivots.

When it comes to power and combinations, Squeo throws wide, short-hook flurries that feel more like sledgehammers than precise strikes. He targets the body early, pulling inspiration from Marciano and the traditional Italian gym practice of breaking down an opponent's body before going for the head. His punch patterns often include looping overhands or chopping right hands after baiting openings with slow feints. In close quarters, he becomes a trench fighter, delivering smothering uppercuts and compact hooks from either side of his body, shifting his chest positioning like a Greco-Roman wrestler to dominate the clinch or fight his way out.

Tactically, he excels as a pressure controller. He does not rush for knockouts; instead, he stalks his opponents round by round, working them into corners or against the ropes, where his mid-range brutality becomes most effective. His ability to reset or adjust the tempo without losing momentum reflects a high level of ring maturity. Although he is not particularly elusive, his defensive rhythm is built on toughness and punch anticipation rather than flashiness or excessive movement.

Philosophically, Squeo fights like a working man with something to prove. He holds a deep reverence for Italy’s rugged boxing heritage and Marciano’s grit, infusing those values into every round. He trains like a mechanic building a tank—punch by punch, grind by grind.