By Tony Nobbs: Australia’s super featherweight sensation Cool Willie Kickett (12-0, 5 KO’s) defeated his second world top 15 opponent in succession by pitching a near shut out against Argentine Vicente Martin Rodriguez (21-2, 10 KO’s) over ten fast rounds at Gosford, NSW, on Friday night.
The WA whiz was untroubled by the 23 year old from La Salada, Buenos Aires, who came in somehow built as the best import to come out and appear on a Fox show. The 21 year old Koori speedster stunned Rodriguez in the second and was too slick, controlling the action all the way.. Rodriguez, rated number 4 in his country, WBO # 11 and IBO # 24 had his best round in the sixth when he briefly had Kicket trapped in a neutral corner, but lacked the punching power to threaten Kickett, who continues to live up to the hype, modeling his style seemingly on Anthony Mundine and Floyd Mayweather.
Official tallies: 100-90, 99-91 (x2). The win gives Kickett the WBO and IBF Youth Asia Pacific titles. Craig Christian trained Kickett entered the ring number 29 WBC, 28 IBO at 130 pounds and number 2 at 135 by the ANBF. Expect him to rise.
In the semi main, local Steve The Surgeon Wills had to work very hard to scrape home by over Filipino born Junmar Homeboy Dulog, over ten rounds, points majority. With the win Wills took home the vacant Aussie lightweight belt. Going in Wills # 4, fellow southpaw Dulog # 7. Many in attendance felt the often beat but improved Sydney based Bohol Stable’s Dulog unfortunate not to get the nod.
Recent IBO world title challenger Deadly Rob Medley(ANBF # 1 at 147 lb) won a clear decision over NZ light middleweight champion Lee Oti over six repetitive rounds.
In a battle between battlers, local Brendan Bomber Batty (ANBF # 9 at 135lb) won the vacant NSW super featherweight strap with a hard fought eight round decision over Bohol Stable’s Kane Filoz Buckley (ANBF # 6 at 126 lb). Batty showed the experience of 30 bouts (12-18) to Buckley’s 9 (1-6-2) and performed like a seasoned journeyman. Batty ‘s dad John was a main eventer in the 70’s who defeated Lucky Gattellari and Con Russell, Australian featherweight champions. Good to see Brendan win a title.
In a so so bout for the NSW light middleweight title, local Craig Parke (ANBF # 9) took an eight round decision over a lethargic defending champion Rob Gummy Toomey (ANBF # 5 at 160 lb) from Dubbo, Western NSW. A surprise win for Parke as Toomey outclassed current Aussie 168 lb champ Israel Kani and then Queensland middleweight champ George Livaditas this year.
In the show opener former Aussie amateur boxing league champion Rob Abbott from North Queensland (now fighting out of the Grange Old School Gum in Sydney) made a successful pro debut when he out scored local trier Stuart Edds over four rounds at super featherweight. 170 cm tall Abbott boasts a massive 182 cm reach (!) and puts his punches together well but as he moves up in level of opposition will need to keep his range as he spent too much of his time shutting himself down in close with the stocky boxrec Aussie # 11 Edds.
Promoter: Anglo Hyder
Match Maker: Angelo Hyder & Pat Kennedy
Foxsport Commentators: Andy Raymond & Paul Upham.