By Tony Nobbs: Melbourne based Queenslander Lance Gostelow (14-1, 11 KO’s) out boxed tough Indonesian Tia Koswara (15-7-2, 8 KO’s)over twelve rounds at The Docklands in Melbourne on Friday night. Gostelow, 24, a skillful boxer, took little risks in a bout that was fought at a good pace. Southpaw Koswara, 27, looked dangerous at times with wild unorthodox swings and had his moments but they were too far and few between and Gostelow ran away with a clear unanimous decision. Gostelow reclaimed his IBF Pan Pacific light welterweight title and also picked up the WBO regional strap. He could soon feature in the world top 15.
Gostelow, ranked number 3 by in Australia will now head to Sydney to spar Lovemore Ndou as The Black Panther prepares to reclaim the IBF 140 pound strap on May 24 against Paulie Malignaggi in England.
In the main support Australian flyweight champion Shane Brock was stopped in the final round of a scheduled super flyweight six by South Australian based Nigerian Omari Kimweri. It was all Brock for four rounds and a left hook heavily floored Kimweri In round three. Omari was literally saved by the bell as it sounded while he was on his way down. In round five a right hand turned the fight and Brock was teetering at the bell. In the sixth a left hook dropped Brock who was saved by the referee. A big win for the African.
The heavily publicized Heath Ellis and Jun Paderna battled to a draw over six willing rounds at welterweight . The more experienced Paderna stunned Ellis on a few occasions but Heath’s fitness and cross arm smother allowed him to survive and then out land Paderna. 19 year old Ellis (ANBF # 8) looks a work still in progress and it will be some time before he becomes a main event fighter. He suffered a hair line fracture to his jaw in the first round so he has the fighting heart, a trademark of the Ellis clan. He is the nephew of Lester Ellis, former IBF 130 pound champion and he is trained by his uncle, the master, Keith Ellis and managed by dad Neil. This was his first fight under Keith and the improvement is already noticeable. Grand dad Keith Snr serves as cut man. Heath’s record is now 7-1, 4 KO’s. His loss came when he was out pointed by another Bohol Stable Filipino Junmar Dulog, in his last start in December. Let’s hope he can move up the ladder and not fall victim to too much expectation.
Sam Colomban (ANBF # 3) out pointed Indonesian Darsim Nanggola over six rounds at welterweight. Colomban, a Melbourne based Cameroon lost a hotly disputed decision to Aswin Cabuy In Indonesia ten days earlier. Nanggola has a draw with Tia Koswara.
Popular local Pat Rullo (ANBF # 12) was given a majority six round decision over Queenslander Rob Toomey (ANBF # 8) at light middleweight. Rullo won the opening two rounds before Toomey’s pressure began to tell and the Queensland fighter clearly controlled the last half of the contest. A good fight for the fans. A rematch is likely. Rullo had former IBF 130 pound champ Barry Michael (who won the title of Lester Ellis) in his corner.
Promising Daniel Iannazzo (ANBF # 3) stopped Sydney based Filipino in round three at super bantamweight.
Promoters Brian Armatruda and Barry Michael.