27.04.09 – By Srithar Visuasam: Former WBA light heavyweight champion Australian Danny Green (26-3, 23 KOs) made a successful return to professional boxing last night in an impressive second round stoppage victory over South African Anthony Van Niekerk (21-7-2, 13 KOs) at the Challenge Stadium in Perth, Australia. Green, 36, weighing in at a shade over 81 kgs, looked the considerably stronger than the South African who certainly didn’t appear on the same level of fitness.
Though from the outset, it was Van Niekerk who was trying to set the pace of the bout, throwing a number of combinations at the Australian…to no effect. Green in contrast adopted a patient approach and was sizing up the South African. About a minute into the round, Green started his assault and immediately had an impact, wobbling Van Niekerk with a right hand.
Round two began with Green lifting his intensity. Van Niekerk continued to move in, throw a few blows and quickly move out, though still being unable to land anything meaningful on the Aussie.. Later into the round, Green unloaded a flurry of shots that dropped the South African to the canvas. Van Niekerk was up by the count of 9 to survive and continue battle. Though upon resumption and on unsteady legs, he was out for good as Green finished the job, sending him to the canvas again with the referee waving off the bout at 2:42 of round two.
After 16 months out of the ring, Green was impressive and clearly appeared a more relaxed fighter in the ring. In his post-fight speech, he stated that “The way I am punching, how loose I am, and how relaxed I am – if I punch anyone they are going to get knocked out. It does not matter who I hit…..I feel as good as I did when I won the world title.” As for the primary target of his comeback, compatriot Anthony Mundine, he stated ‘He has called me out, but if he gets hit with one of them it is going to be lights out!’
Green is set to fight his next bout in a few months time with a rematch with Anthony Mundine likely to occur in early 2010.