06.02.07 – By Tony Nobbs: Veteran Lovemore “Black Panther” Ndou (45-8-1, 35 KO’s) scored a remarkable victory over bitter rival Noefel Chocolata” Ben Rabah (24-3, 13 KO’s) at the State Sport Center in Homebush, Sydney, NSW on Sunday, afternoon wearing down the Tunisian Olympian to put him in line to challenge Ricky Hatton for the IBF junior welterweight belt.
In a fight that the Ben Rabah camp had chased for years, it was Ndou’s vast experience and will to win that in the end was the telling factor. It was a brutal, give and take type war, with both men having their moments but Ndou simply kept on coming, making Ben Rabah fight every minute of every round..
At the start of the contest, you could have heard a pin drop such was the anticipation and the first few round saw a back moving Ben Rabah get of to a better start with his jab picking off Ndou who looked to go to the body, which in the end was a key to his victory. The next few rounds saw Ndou land rights to the head and left hooks around the side as he got in range of Ben Rabah who kept his hands low and was caught on the ropes with strong shots. As the fight wore on, Ndou was able to increase the pressure and stayed on Ben Rabah’s chest, not giving his fleet of foot opponent a chance to get off. When Rabah did connect clean he rattled Lovemore and there were some clear rounds for the Perth based Noefel and i t was only the under rated determination and toughness of Sydney’s South African born Ndou that denied him.
After taking fights with Sharmba Mitchell, Miguel Cotto and Junior Whitter on short notice, Ndou was in the shape of his life and he was all over Ben Rabah down the stretch. Action in round ten was such that Ben Rabah was slow to come out and the final seconds of the eleventh saw Ben Rabah in no condition to continue and his corner signaled a halt.
Ben Rabah, 29, who last June looked to have deserved the vacant IBF title in his fight with Juan Urango last time out, is expected to retire. This was a great win for Ndou, 35, his best for many years at least. Referee was Pete Podgorski of the US.
At the conclusion Ndou was up by 105-104 (twice) and 106-104. ESB had it 106-103.
In under card action, Paul “Fire Power” Briggs labored to a twelve round UD over South African Rupert Van Aswgan of a fight for for the vacant IBF Australasian light heavyweight strap. Briggs loaded up early looking for a quick knockout but Van Aswegan , out of ring since a stoppage loss in March last year (his only fight since November ’04) was able to not only survive but take a few rounds. Van Aswegan is the nephew of former WBA heavyweight champion Gerrie Coetzee. Briggs described it as the worst performance of his career.
Commonwealth Games Gold medalist Daniel Geale got of the canvas in round two (right hand) to score a clear UD over New Zealand’s Lee Oti to retain the IBF Pan Pac and “interim” OPBF light middleweight titles.
Recent two time world title challenger Sakio Bika dominated South African veteran Andre Thyse, winning a twelve round UD of an IBF Australasian title fight.
Rob Medley won a twelve round UD over useful South African Kaiser Mabuza retaining his IBF Australasian welterweight strap. All three South Africans were handled by former WBA welterweight title challenger Harold Volbretch.
Former South Sydney first grader Garth Wood made a successful pro debut winning on DQ over NZ spoiler Paz Veijo who was funny enough, ruled out by the referee for “tackling” in the final round of a super middleweight contest set for four.
Zak Awad won UD 4 over Ramilo Cabilles at super middle and Junmar Dulog TKO 3 Charlie Vella at light welterweight.
Promoters: Grange Old School Boxing.
Sky Channel Commentators: Mat Brooks and Jeff Fenech.