25.11.06 – By Tony Nobbs: Australia’s Olympic boxing team captain from Athens two years ago Jamie Pittman took his record to 12-0, 7 KO’s by defeating former South African and WBC International 154 lb champion Wiliam Gare (21-13, 4 KO’s) at the Crowne Plaza in Terrigal, NSW on Friday night.
In the best performance of his short but budding professional career, Pittman, a southpaw, out boxed his more experienced opponent, winning each of the seven rounds contested (on Eastside’s card anyway) before a slight cut appeared over his right eye in the eighth. Ref Gary Dean ruled he could not continue and the judges were called. Scores 70-63, 69-64, 69-65. Technical points decision.
At the conclusion, Gare seemed to be getting into the fight a little and with his experience over the longer distance figured to finish the stronger. The busier Pittman, however, always looked the winner, landing with crisp right leads and left hands, both straight and from angles. Gare had his most success with body shots and right hands. With the win Pittman took home the
WBF super middleweight belt, vacant going in. At Thursday night’s weigh in both weighted 168 lb, Gare having to drop around half a pound.
In the main under card bout, Thailand’s Denchapol Suwannalird scored his first victory in Australia when he knocked out NSW journeyman Damien Smith in round four, middleweights. Poor grip on his bots saw the popular Thai slide around on ice skates, losing the first three rounds as Smith aggressively pursued him. In round four Denchapol landed a Razor Ruddock type left hook-uppercut smash on the chin of Smith who fell to the canvas hard. Barely beating the count, Damien was down again by follow up hard rights and lefts and ref Charlie Lucas called it off. A good, but not a surprise win for Suwannalird who has boxed in this country on six previous occasions against champion opponents.
Les Piper scored a spit points decision over six by two minute rounds against James Chan, cruiserweights. Fought at a torrid pace, late sub Piper managed to eke most of the rounds to take his second verdict over fellow Queenslander. Chan is best known for his knockout in round one of former amateur star Daniel Baff on a Jeff Fenech Fight Night in Sydney last year.
Current Queensland champion at light heavyweight and criuserweight Jamie Guy out pointed locally based pro debutant Benny Fedlika over six by two. Also Cruiserweight limit. Former Aussie 175 lb champ Guy’s experience told as he patientally dissected the wild swinging Samoan who visibly began to tire in round two after setting off explosively. Benny was given a standing eight count in round five and struggled to survive the final three rounds but showed enough heart and punching power to suggest he has a bright future in the sport.
Former world title challenger Shannan Taylor boxed a three round exhibition with gym mate John Krishna.
Promoter: Dean Singleton Promotions (DSP).
Crowd: 400.