22.10.05 – By Tony Nobbs: In a cracker of a ten rounder Sharon Anyos captured the WBC’s inaugral world featherweight crown at the Gold Coast Convention Center in Queensland on Saturday night. Anyos, 35, prevailed by scores of 97-93 (Gus Mercurio) and 96-94 (Ken Murita and Noppharat Sricharoen) over Marcela Eliana Acuna, 29, from Argentina but was made to work extremely hard through out to keep her gritty and very willing opponent at bay.. Anyos took the first two rounds staying at range and connecting long, boxing better than previously.
In the third stanza she made a mistake of getting into a slug and was caught with many shots, looking uncomposed, before getting back to boxing, circling around the approaching Acuna. Over the final half of the fight Anyos’ speed and work rate helped her take the points though Acuna was dangerous until the end and worked strongly when she was able to get inside-the South American had success, evidenced by the huge swelling on the left side of Anyos’ face at conclusion. Referee was Brad Vocale, who was a lather of sweat at the end as the girls fought hard at such a fast non stop pace.
On the final bell Sharon was lifted on the shoulders of trainer Lovemore Ndou and when the decision was announced she spent several minutes speaking.
“Thank You Gold Coast! Do I look cute or what? I thank God! Because if it wasn’t for Him I wouldn’t be this dedicated. Marcela Acuna, you’re a true warrior. I want to thank Lovemore Ndou who has spent the last 6-8 weeks with me away from his family. He has changed me from a brawler to a boxer. Thanks to my parents and my partner Steve (Boyce). And thank you to the
promoter David Viola and thanks to the people who helped make this night so special.”
Anyos was cornered by Ndou, Boyce and Glenn Azar. Acuna’s camp thought they deserved the decision as did many in the audience including a number of local boxing partcipants. This writer thought Sharon took the bout but Marcela won hearts tonight and a rematch would be welcomed.
In the main support, 2002 Comonwealth Games welterweight gold medallist Daniel Geale from the Team Fenech stable won the OPBF Interim jnr middleweight title with a round eight stoppage of former Australian champion Garry Comer. After a scrappy first few rounds where Comer tried to keep it in close and rough, Geale controlled. Comer was rugged and cagey enough and managed to spill the touted Tasmanian in the seventh with a southpaw left hand while he was punching back of the ropes. In the eighth Geale landed snappy head shots which had Garry defenceless along the ropes. Ref Vocale stepped in waving it away. Time: 1 min 44.
Another 2002 C’wealth Games gold medallist (at 75 kg), Paul Miller was forced to settle for a third round technical draw with New Zealander Rico Chong Nee. Nee was cut over the right eye from a head clash. The classy left hander Miller looked to have the edge. On the line was the vacant IBO Asia Pacific super middleweight title.
Adam Vella won the vacant Australian middleweight title with a ten round unanimous decision over Matt Shaw. Vella was too aggressive for Shaw who managed to win a few rounds by boxing on the move, landing some clean southpaw lefts. Vella had big rounds in six and ten. Scores: 99-92, 97-95 and 97-93. Adam relinquished his IBO regional strap.
Lance Gostellow showed glimpses of pure boxing brilliance in scoring a fifth round TKO over Thailand’s tough and game Kongthawat Sirkitti. A chopping overhand right sent the import to the canvas in the fifth and an unanswered follow up forcing the referee to stop the fight at the 59 second mark of the round as Kongthawat dipped again. With the win the promising Ray
Giles/Julian Holland trained Gostellow becomes IBF Pan Pac 140 lb champ.
Local Emmett Gazzard is the new Australian bantamweight champion. The former amateur champion took just 2 minutes to stop Shane Brock, dumping the Victorian on three occasions.