Downunder wrap-up: Parker and Ruiz ready to rock new Zealand, Moloney twins return with Balla bros, Kambossos overcomes Ogilive
By Anthony Cocks
It has been a long time between drinks for New Zealand fight fans. The last time a Kiwi fought for a heavyweight title was in the year 2000 when the dangerous David Tua met his match and then some against a prime Lennox Lewis. Before that, the last great Kiwi heavyweight was “Ruby” Bob Fitzsimmons – born in Cornwall, England but a resident of Timaru, New Zealand since the age of nine – whose world heavyweight title reign ran from 1897 when he won the title against James J Corbett until 1899 when he lost it to James J Jeffries.
But Tua clashed with Lewis in Las Vegas and all of Fitzsimmons’ heavyweight title fights happened Stateside too.
This is why the clash for the vacant WBO heavyweight title between #1 ranked Joseph Parker 21-0 (18) and #3 Andy Ruiz Jr 29-0 (19) at the Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand this Saturday is history in the making for the two islands with a combined population of just four-and-a-half million people.
And while the local population will be rallying behind the popular Parker, it certainly won’t be a walk in the park for the 6’4” 24-year-old.
American Andy Ruiz Jr is undefeated. He had quick hands and throws impressive combinations. At 6’2” and 250+ pounds the 27-year-old may not look like the picture of fitness and health, but he moves surprisingly well for a big man.
“Andy does have fast hands but I believe I’m faster,” admitted Parker recently. “I know he (Ruiz) has prepared well for this fight and that he’s taking this very seriously, but the fight is going to be held here at home and I’m going to be ready for it. I’m excited, I’m really looking forward to it.”
Duco Events matchmaker Stuart Duncan knows Parker will have to be on his game to get the win, but is confident that their charge has the tools to get the job done.
“I think the (Carlos) Takam fight was the perfect fight to better prepare Joe for someone of Ruiz’s ilk,” said Duncan. “He learned plenty from this fight and proved he is conditioned to go the distance while under fire. ”
The key to the fight, according to Duncan, is following trainer Kevin Barry’s fight plan.
“While it would be foolish to discuss what tactics are necessary to counter Ruiz’s style, Joe needs to box and move and peel off to the sides when going backwards,” revealed Duncan.
“I have every bit of faith in Kevin Barry’s tactical plan as he knows Joe’s strengths better than anyone.”
Duco Events announces loaded undercard for Parker vs Ruiz
Duco Events have announced an intriguing undercard for the vacant WBO heavyweight title fight between Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz Jr on 10th December at Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand.
Australia’s leading welterweight IBF/WBO #2 and WBC/WBA #13 Jeff “The Hornet” Horn 15-0-1 (10) will face former three-time world title challenger WBO #8 Ali “Rush Hour” Funeka 39-5-3 (31) from South Africa in the 10 round main support bout.
“Funeka is a cagey opponent who has used his height and reach effectively in his career to date,” said Duco matchmaker Stuart Duncan. “He has way many more rounds under his belt and beaten some good boxers over the journey. Funeka has solid power and he will need to pick his punches well to keep Jeff on the outside.
Reigning WBC Silver female super bantamweight titleholder Shannon “The Cannon” O’Connell 14-4-1 (7) from Brisbane, Australia, will square off against undefeated Argentinean Laura Soledad Griffa 12-0 (0) over 8 by two-minute rounds.
“This one is going to be a crowd pleaser!” said Duncan. “Laura Griffa is a great technical boxer mover with excellent defensive skills and puts her punches together well in bunches. Her chin has held up well to date in that she is undefeated in 12 outings.
“Shannon is at a career high at the moment and knocking on the door of a world title shot early in the New Year. In her last outing, she looked great against a tough opponent being first to the punch and relentless in attack. “
In an eight rounder, undefeated Kiwi heavyweight Junior Fa 8-0 (5) will be stepping up his level of competition when he battles it out against Pablo Matias Magrini 17-1-1 (13) from Argentina.
“Junior has his work cut out for him against a vastly more experienced opponent,” said Duncan. “This will be by far his toughest test to date and he will need to use his height and reach advantage to his benefit if he is to defeat the rugged Argentine. ”
Hosking Promotions bring back the Moloney twins for a last hurrah in 2016
Hosking Promotions are giving fights fans an early Christmas present with a stacked card at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Victoria on 10th December featuring the Moloney twins, the Balla brothers and Michael Zerafa competing in separate bouts.
“Fans can expect five of the top young stars of Australian boxing all putting on a show in front of a massive crowd,” said promoter Lynden Hosking. “They all have tough opponents who will test them and help progress them to the next level.”
Andrew Moloney 10-0 (6) from Mooroolbark in Victoria will face Argentinean Carlos Ruben Dario Ruiz 21-8 (10) over 10 rounds in defense of his WBA Oceania bantamweight title. Meanwhile his twin Jason Moloney 10-0 (9) from Croydon, Victoria defends his WBA Oceania super bantamweight title over 10 against Mexico’s Enrique Bernache 22-8 (11).
“The Moloney boys are just sensational young men,” said Hosking. “They are humble, hardworking guys who leave absolutely no stone unturned in their preparation and continue to improve under trainer Brian Butler. “
Melbourne’s Michael Zerafa 20-2 (11) will make the first defence of his IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title against Spearwood, Western Australia’s Renato Oliveira 9-0 (2). It will be Oliveira’s first bout over 10 rounds.
“Michael has just returned from the Wild Card gym in LA and is keen to show what he has learned there in this fight,” said Hosking. “Oliveira is a tough fighter from Western Australia who will be a tough test.”
Featherweight Ibrahim Balla 9-1 (6) from Werribee, Victoria will be up against Indonesian Agus Kustiawan 17-5-1 (7) over 10. His brother Qamil Balla 9-0-1 (3) will be trading leather with another Indonesian, Musa Letding 11-5-4 (6), in a 10 round lightweight bout.
“The Balla boys have a massive following and never disappoint in the ring,” said Hosking. “They are both proud Albanian boys who connect well with the Western suburbs community and they turn out in force. The aim is to take the next step in 2017 and challenge the best fighters in Australia and abroad.”
The stacked card will also feature Gaige Ireland 2-1-2 (2) facing off against Shadey Souied 7-7 (3) for the Victorian state lightweight title over eight; super middleweight Damien Lock 1-1 battling Joshua Butler 2-1 in a four rounder; and Ismail Kerra 1-1 and Adam Kaoullas 1-0 locking horns in a four round junior welterweight clash.
Despite only promoting for a little over a year, the former 1996 Australian Olympian from Bendigo has been around the game long enough to know the pitfalls that face many promoters new to the game.
“One of the many challenges has been trying to break the mold of traditional ways of running boxing, promoting and introducing new and innovative ways to entertain the boxing enthusiasts," said Hosking.
“I would like to say that Hosking Promotions is intent on putting on regular quality shows featuring evenly matched fights and showcasing both HP fighters and other up and comers. Our mantra is not waiting for it to happen, but #makingithappen”
Kambosos wins the fight but not friends
The grudge match between WBA #14 “Ferocious” George Kambosos Jr 11-0 (9) and WBA #12 “Brilliant” Brandon Ogilvie 17-2-1 (9) lived up to expectations with a fight of the year candidate that went the full 12 round distance at Sydney’s Luna Park on Friday night.
Ogilvie got off to a fast start but Kambosos found his range by the middle rounds, countering effectively and appearing to hurt the 22-year-old from Perth in the sixth and ninth rounds. When the dust settled, the judges tabbed the 23-year-old Sydneysider a comfortable winner by scores of 116-112, 119-110 and 118-110.
With the win Kambosos claims Ogilvie’s WBA Oceania lightweight title and can expect a boost in the world rankings.
Speaking to Ray Wheatley at Fightnews, Kambosos said: “I know my abilities and I know how hard I train. I live this lifestyle and I take this sport seriously. My hands and combinations were always going to be too fast for Ogilivie. ”
While Kambosos won the fight, he certainly won’t be winning any friends when he broke gym etiquette by talking out of school about his sparring sessions in the States.
“I was sparring Sergey Lipinets, who is boxing Lenny Zappavigna soon in an IBF eliminator, and I was absolutely giving it to him,” Kambosos told Fightnews. “Justin (Fortune) was freaking out. Justin said he didn’t realise Australia had this talent. Andrey Klimov, who is trained by Buddy McGirt, and went the distance with Terrence Crawford, was another sparring partner. I won all the sparring sessions and that is why I was so confident for this fight against Ogilvie.”
After this little outburst, it might be difficult for Kambosos to secure quality sparring partners for future fights.
Dib determined to secure title shot in 2017
Former IBF 126lb titleholder Billy “The Kid” Dib 41-4 (23) is looking to force his way back into the world title mix at super featherweight when he faces Tanzania’s Emilio “Prince Kilimanjaro” Norfat 27-8 (19) on 16th December at the Emporium Function Centre in Sydney, New South Wales.
Last year was mired in tragedy and controversy for 31-year-old. He lost his 21-year-old wife Sara Selim to leukaemia and had a very public falling out with wannabe promoter and sometime hip-hop MC Fifty Cent, who he claims swindled him out of one million dollars. Dib has since picked himself up, dusted himself off and rededicated himself to his goal of winning a world championship once more.
"He did the wrong thing by me,” Dib told SBS. “But once I become world champion it’ll be like, ’I told you so’."
Questions? Comments? Complaints? Email anthonyc1974@gmail.com
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