By Andrew Briggs: After disappointing back to back losses to Marcus Beyer and the massive local match up loss to Anthony Mundine, Danny Green (25-3, 22 KOs) has finally delivered his West Australian fans with the world title that has for nearly 5 years eluded him. Much was written about Stipe Drews in the press here in Australia due to the last time that he came here because of his strange and unsportsmanlike like performance against Paul Briggs in which Drews kneed, head butted and did everything possible to keep himself upright after a 6th round knockdown from the hands of Briggs.
And this appearance was to be no different.
Drews, who coincidently was receiving the biggest paycheck of his career, had talked himself in the press saying he would be the first man to KO Danny Green.
From the opening bell Drews effectively did nothing to retain his belt, let alone make it a contest of it by putting his running shoes on to lose a 12 round decision and the World Boxing Association strap.
Every time Green, 34, came within striking distance of making some sort of contact with the 198cm Croat, Drews would disappear in retreat and be content making with the rugged Australian chase him around the ring giving him no reason to back up or even respect the very limited punches that he was throwing.
To Greens credit though, he stuck to his game plan which new trainer Ismael Salas has him doing well, which in being aggressive, he is doing it behind a good hard long left hand and not rushing in which has been a problem of his in the past.
The punches that landed throughout the fight from Green were straight punches not really in exchanges, more single straight left and rights as there were not to many both way exchanges between the two.
The finish of the fight was to have Danny Green run around the ring kissing a tattoo of his daughter on his left arm then jumping in to the crowd celebrating the upcoming victory that was to be expected.
The post fight speech was once again a shot at local rival Anthony Mundine telling him that his was the real world title and not an interim champion and that if they were going to meet again it would be on his terms.
Personally, I think the last thing that Green needs to do is to be chasing Mundine again.
People with movement and speed seem to give Green problems as he sits down on his punches a lot and tends to telegraph what he is going to throw.
I think a local battle with the no nonsense Paul Briggs (who may be out of action due to a mystery illness he has been suffering) or the IBF strap holder, England’s Clinton Woods would be the best way for Green to head, or if he wanted to head back to the USA, a possible match up with the road warrior Glen Johnson would create a great deal of attention as it would be a great fight.
But with Green, now with his own promotional company and pulling power to draw 6000+ people in his home city in Western Australia, I do not see him taking to many risks for the time being.
Andrew Briggs – Melbourne, Australia
andybriggs78@optusnet.com.au or
andrew.briggs@musashi.com.au