03.06.04 – By Tony Nobbs: Rising local jnr welterweight Jason Arena and Russia’s former world amateur champion Anton Solopov headline a six bout card at the Fraternity club in Wollongong, NSW tonight against Indonesian opponents. Arena (11-0-1, 7 KO) meets Dickas Rollies (18-6 1, 10 KO) over eight rounds with the 24 year old Pocket Rocket looking for a shot at the Australian title in the not to distant future. A repeat performance of his one round demolition of New Zealander Jamie Waru on the Siaca-Mundine bill on May 5 will go along away to not only getting his foot in the door but also of paying back his hometown sponsors and fans. With champion Mick Katsidis also holding the WBO Asia Pacific lightweight belt, top contender Lovemore Ndou campaigning internationally and # 2 Noefel Ben Rabah issuing challenges to Ndou, Arena’s team have reason to be confident they have a future domestic champion on their hands.
Solopov (4-0) faces Guntar Drajab (9-5-1, 4 KO) also over eight rounds in a jnr middleweight bout . Solopov recently liked with Kostya Tszyu and is trained by Igor Goboulev who also trains the hard punching Arena.
The promotion is a combined effort of Arena’s backers the Trodan management group and Tszyu. The undisputed 140 lb champion will be unable to make the show as he will be in Western Australia according to Trodan spokesman John Danzo.
“It is unfortunate Kostya won’t be able to be here but is has been an absolute pleasure working with Kostya in this venture and we are looking forward to continuing our work together” said Danzo who is part of a large group of businessman who have backed the Australian # 3 Arena since he turned pro in 2001.
“Jason will be out to look impressive and put himself in position for an Australian Title fight. People are still talking about his last fight and I really am looking to an even better showing. He is on weight a day before the weigh-in whereas he is usually a few kilo over and making the limit is his biggest battle. With Anton also on the card it makes it a very big show- the best club show in this town for a while” continued Danzo
The rest of the card features local Mick Mlacic in against Melbourne’s ‘Slim’ Shedy Soued. Southpaw Mlacic will be using this bout to grab a national listing an put himself in position for a crack at the Aussie lightweight belt. WBC Youth Featherweight champion Tommy Browne will be bringing a large support team for his non title meeting with Japan’s Ryano Nakano , Sonni Michael Angelo and Garth Murray face each other at cruiserweight and popular Damien James clashes with Brad Ryan at jnr middleweight. First fight starts at 7.00 pm.