BRIGGS DOMINATES CASTRO!

by Tony Nobbs

14.04 - WBC number seven Paul Briggs stuck to a perfect game plan for 30 minutes yesterday to outbox number five contender Jorge Castro and cement a shot at the WBC Lt.Heavyweight Title with a unanimous decision at the Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast in Queensland on Sunday afternoon. Pre fight, there were concerns that the 27 year old Gold Coaster would struggle with the experience of Castro but it was the 35 year old Argentine who could not deal with Briggs' superior speed and foot work . With most rounds identicates of each other, Briggs used a well timed left jab and combinations to dictate terms.

Right hands in round two hurt the granite chinned former WBA Middleweight Champion and set the tone for the rest of the fight. Apart from brief periods in the middle rounds when OPBF Champ traded punch for punch with the 134 fight veteran with 85 KO's to his credit or allowed himself to be caught on the ropes, Castro was never in a game of cat and mouse. But it was not for lack of trying as he threw several roundhouse rights and attempted to lure Briggs into a trap. Briggs' had learned from others mistakes and was content to go the ten for the first time since going that distance in his pro debut in 1994.

"I didn't come here to impress anyone (with a knockout). I came here to go the ten rounds. I trained very hard for this as Jorge is an absolute champion and I'm stoked. I wanted the rounds under my belt. I've seen Jorge get bashed, be cut, almost knocked out and take guys out with one punch. That is why I never really went after him when he was hurt" said Briggs who showed a good beard himself as he was caught with some glancing blows which were loaded up big time and sent from angles Briggs had never encountered. "I was too fast. I think he seriously underestimated me. When I knock out Clinton Woods for the Title I really feel I will dominate the division".

A perfectly timed right hand from a slight angle sent spray flying from the visitor's head and on more than one occasion Castro stumbled off balance as the ever improving Australian dazzled with a pivot or walk away.

The bout was of very high quality through out and was fought in good spirit between two boxers who are a credit to their trade, one a former World Champion, the other, on this performance, a future one. A major disapointment was the fact that only 1500 fans bothered to turn up to support a local contender in the biggest fight of his career against one of the best imports to visit these shores since Azumah Nelson stopped Jeff Fenech in eight rounds in 1992.

"I think he will be the new Champion" said Castro after the fight. "I thought before the fight he was not so good, not experienced enough but he had a lot of condition and he moved so well from corner to corner".

Briggs' trainer Rod Waterhouse, who promoted this fight said "Many people will never realise how good a fighter Jorge still is and what a good win this was for Paul. We knew this was a dangerous fight but it has now got us where we want. We knew one mistake against this guy could have been a disaster".

With the win Briggs takes his record to 20-1, 16 KO and got one hundred rounds worth of experience against a "wily old fox". Castro fell to a remarkable 123-9-3, 85 KO.

Official scores were 99-91 (twice) and 100-91. Eastside saw it a shutout, 100-90. Referee Brad Vocale did a sound job allowing the fight to flow.

"My next fight will be against Clinton Woods for the World Title and I will become a World Champion in boxing as I was in Kick Boxing".

In the main support Glenn Kelly won the IBF Pan Pacific and Vacant OPBF Cruiserweight Titles by unanimously outpointing Simon Paterson over twelve so - so rounds.

Kelly's gym - mate Jason Delisle retained his Australian Lt. Heavyweight Title and avenged his only defeat by stopping Paul Smallman in the eleventh round.

In a middleweight encounter scheduled for six, Briggs' close friend 'John' Wayne Parr scored a sensational knockout of 'Iron' Mike Cope at 2 min 53 of round one. A left hook set up by a right hand did the job and Cope hit the canvas with a thud . It was a surprise result as this bout figured to be a tough distance fight.

Paul Le upset Steve Ng, with Ng not allowed to continue due to swelling on the left eyelid, caused by a thumping right hand in the opening seconds, Jnr Middleweights.

In the show opener Ty Allen defeated Paul Tapley in a Welterweight six rounder by unanimous decision.