19.12.04 – By Tony Nobbs: On a Jamie Myer Foxsport promotion, Shannan Taylor won the WBF super middleweight title with a second round knockout of Thailand’s Sakda Sorpakdi at the Royal Pines Golf Resort on the beautiful Gold Coast in Queensland on Friday night. Going in the talk wasn’t about who would win and how, but when. Despite this, Sorpakdi put his cards on the table early and went at Taylor with right hands..
Body shots softened Sakda up and he was dropped by a hard right hand two minutes in. The Thai was hurt on a few occasions but to his credit came firing back each time. In the second, a left rip and left hook dropped Sorpakdi again before a smashing counter right uppercut caught him coming in behind a jab, sending his mouthpiece flying. Sakda was out before he slumped to the floor and Taylor knew it, raising his arms. Referee Craig Waller waved it off at the count of one. Time 1 min 40.
While his victory won’t over shadow Vic Darchinian’s achievement in Florida earlier in the day, Shannan has done an inspirational job in resurrecting his career after suffering three knockout defeats in four fight in 2001. He also keeps alive his dream of capturing the IBF jnr middleweight title from Kasim Ouma next year.
Heading a well matched under card, former champion Bob Mirovic scored his fourth win over Australian heavyweight champion Col Wilson. Because of their rivalry and the fact that the fight was set for 10 x 2 minute rounds a crowd pleasing contest was predicted and the pair didn’t disappoint. Official’s carded a unanimous verdict for Bob by gaps of 2, 3 and 4 points. After the fight local resident and legend Joe Bugner entered the ring and in a light hearted exchange, talked up a return with Mirovic who he beat by split decision in 1998.
In an eight round international affair, Rwandan born Swede southpaw Frankie Demilo scored a majority decision over Filipino Rolando Gerongco. The Gold Coast based lefty outboxed his more stocky opponent through most of the contest – doing his best work in heats 4, 5 and 6 – but a knockdown in the second and then two in round seven (the final was from a left hook that landed to back of Demilo’s head) made it a one point margin on two cards and even on the third at the conclusion of an attractive clash. Agreed to as a featherweight (57.15 kg) contest Rolando came in at 58.3 kg at the 24 hour weigh in and refused to shed any of the required weight. Frankie, better suited to super bantam, scaled 56.8. Foxsport commentators John Casey and WBC official Brad Vocale saw it for Demilo by two and one point.
Zane Aiken captured the vacant Queensland heavyweight title with an eight round split decision over former champ Phil Gregory. A deserving win for Zane, unsuccessful in two previous attempts at this title. An entertaining bout. Gregory entered the ring dressed as Santa.
In a pair of six rounder’s Gold Coast fighter’s, Stephen Ng (middle) and Matt Burns (super middle) lost decisions to Sydney fighters, Sean Connell and Michael Angelo respectively. Crowd: around 2000.