Best of Australian Boxing Talent on “BAD BLOOD”

(Smeaton Grange, Sydney: 29th January 2007) – When Naoufel “Chocolata” Ben Rabah and Lovemore “Black Panther” Ndou meet in the ring in the main event of “BAD BLOOD” on Sunday afternoon 4th February 2007 at the Homebush State Sports Centre in Sydney, they will be accompanied on the supporting card by some of Australia’s best boxing talent today. While Ben Rabah and Ndou are fighting for a world title shot against current IBF super lightweight world champion Ricky “Hitman” Hatton, the other Australian boxers on the card will be attempting to win and head closer towards their own big fights in 2007..

Light heavyweight contender Paul “Firepower” Briggs has twice come agonisingly close to winning the WBC world title after points decision losses to world champion Tomasz Adamek in 2005 and 2006. Both fights were thrilling battles and were short listed as ‘Fights of the Year’ by experts in the USA. With legendary trainer Johnny Lewis in his corner, Briggs has
the backing of American television network HBO after his impressive performances against Adamek and will get another opportunity in big time boxing this year.

Super middleweight contender Sakio “Scorpion” Bika had a breakout year in 2006 with two world title fights against then WBC world champion Markus Beyer in Germany and WBO world champion Joe Calzaghe in England. While he drew with Beyer after the fight was stopped when the German sustained an eye cut from an accidental head clash and lost on points to the unbeaten Calzaghe, Bika gained valuable experience and showed the world what an exciting and talented world-class boxer he is.

Rising junior middleweight star Daniel Geale has been all class in his undefeated career to date and has showed maturity and talent beyond his years. 2007 will see the 2002 Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist take the next step towards theworld-class level and he i definitely one to watch for the future.

Tough undefeated welterweight Robert Medley impresses every time he steps into the ring and is ready to make further progress towards the international stage. The rangy and tall, hard-hitting boxer has a passionate following amongst his fans and has become a television favourite very quickly.

“BAD BLOOD” will feature all of these boxers against international opponents on one of the best boxing cards seen in Australia in recent times, promoted by Grange Old School Boxing.

Australian Boxing Talent featured on “BAD BLOOD”

Naoufel “Chocolata” Ben Rabah
Age: 29
Born: Tunisia
Lives: Perth, Western Australia
Record: 24 wins, 2 losses, 13 wins by knockout
Division: Super Lightweight
World Rating: IBF No.4, WBO No.11 at super lightweight
Titles Won: WBO Asia Pacific super lightweight, IBF Pan Pacific welterweight, Australian lightweight titles
Next Fight: vs. Lovemore Ndou

Lovemore “Black Panther” Ndou
Age: 35
Born: Transvaal, South Africa
Lives: Sans Souci, New South Wales
Record: 44 wins, 8 losses, 1 draw, 29 wins by knockout
Division: Super Lightweight
World Rating: IBF No.3 at super lightweight
Titles Won: IBF Pan Pacific super lightweight
Next Fight: vs. Naoufel Ben Rabah

Paul “Firepower” Briggs
Age: 31
Born: Christchurch, New Zealand
Lives: Bondi, Australia
Record: 25 wins, 3 losses, 18 wins by knockout
Division: Light Heavyweight
World Rating: WBC No.1, WBA No.6, IBF No.10, WBO No.12 at light heavyweight
Titles Won: OPBF light heavyweight, Australian light heavyweight, IBF Pan Pacific cruiserweight titles
Next Fight: vs. Rupert Van Aswegen (South Africa)

Sakio “Scorpion” Bika
Age: 27
Born: Douala, Cameroon
Lives: Kogarah, New South Wales
Record: 21 wins, 2 losses, 2 draws, 14 wins by knockout
Division: Super Middleweight / Middleweight
World Rating: IBF No.14 at super middleweight, WBC No.17 at middleweight
Titles Won: IBF Australasian super middleweight, OPBF middleweight,
Australian middleweight, NSW middleweight titles
Next Fight: vs. Andre Thysse (South Africa)

Daniel Geale
Age: 25
Born: Launceston, Tasmania
Lives: Camden, New South Wales
Record: 14 wins, 0 losses, 11 wins by knockout
Division: Junior Middleweight
World Rating: WBC No.23 at junior middleweight
Titles Won: OPBF interim junior middleweight, IBF Pan Pacific junior middleweight titles
Next Fight: vs. Lee Oti (New Zealand)

Robert Medley
Age: 25
Born: Camden, New South Wales
Lives: Oakdale, New South Wales
Record: 16 wins, 0 losses, 11 wins by knockout
Division: Welterweight
Titles Won: IBO Asia Pacific welterweight, IBF Australasian welterweight, Australian junior middleweight, NSW junior middleweight titles
Next Fight: vs. Kaizer Mabuza (South Africa)

The full “BAD BLOOD” card is as follows.

1. Naoufel Ben Rabah (Aust) vs. Lovemore Ndou (Aust)
IBF super lightweight world title eliminator – 12 x 3 minute rounds

2. Sakio Bika (Aust) vs. Andre Thysse (Sth Africa)
IBF Australasian super middleweight title – 12 x 3 minute rounds

3. Daniel Geale (Aust) vs. Lee Oti (New Zealand)
OPBF interim junior middleweight title – 12 x 3 minute rounds
IBF Pan Pacific junior middleweight title

4. Paul Briggs (Aust) vs. Rupert Van Aswegen (Sth Africa)
light heavyweight – 10 x 3 minute rounds

5. Robert Medley (Aust) vs. Kaizer Mabuza (Sth Africa)
IBF Australasian welterweight title – 12 x 3 minute rounds

6. Bobby Antanakos (Aust) vs. Ariel Omongos (Philippines)
super lightweight – 6 x 3 minute rounds

7. Garth Wood (Aust) vs. Paz Vejaz (New Zealand)
super middleweight – 6 x 3 minute rounds

8. Zak Awad (Aust) vs. Ramillo Caballes (Philippines)
super lightweight – 6 x 3 minute rounds

9. Charlie Vella (Aust) vs. Junmar Dulog (Philippines)
junior welterweight – 6 x 3 minute rounds

The official Press Conference with all boxers present will be held at Novotel, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush at 12:00pm this week on Wednesday 31st January 2007.

The Official Weigh-in for the boxers will be held at Novotel, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush at 12:00pm this week on Saturday 3rd February 2007.

Tickets for “BAD BLOOD” are now on sale at Ticketek for $80.00, $60.00 and $50.00. Tickets will also be on sale at the door. Corporate tables of 10 can be purchased by calling 0425 818825. Doors will open at 11am and the first fight will commence at 11:45am.