By Srithar Visuasam: The super boxer series moved to Melbourne last night for its second show, staged at the Melbourne Town Hall. After the first instalment, which caused a lot of controversy surrounding the main event between Billy Dib and Kenichi Yamaguchi of Japan, it was hoped that this week could showcase Australian boxing in a more positive manner.
For all parties concerned it did, with a thrilling main event between Victorian Tim Bell fighting in front of his hometown fans against Tongan Walter Pupu’a in a unification bout of their PABA, OBPF and WBO Oriental light heavyweight titles. The bout started with Bell being the aggressor, continually backing the Tongan against the ropes and throwing combinations, working the body and head.. Papua worked his way back into the contest by round 3 and began effectively counterpunching Bell with his right hook hitting the mark on numerous occasions.
The bout continued to see-saw throughout the mid stages but by round 8, Bell had taken clear ascendancy of the bout, with his relentless pressure the key in controlling the contest. In round 11, Bell bombarded Pupu’a with a number of power shots that almost caused a stoppage. The final round saw Pupu’a go all guns blazing in a last ditch bid to win the fight, with a knockout his only hope of victory.
The bout went to the scorecards which read 116-112, 117-111 and a far from realistic 119-108 all in favour of the Australian. ESB scored the bout 116-112 to Bell. This win sees his record move to 17 wins from 23 bouts including 1 draw and 13 KOs. Bell is now secured a top 5 ranking by the WBA and hopefully will be able to challenge for the title early next year. Pupu’as record moves to 11 wins from 15 bouts with 8 KOs.
Super Middleweight Jamie Pittman (19-1, 8 KOs) scored a unanimous points decision win over Frank Ciampa (7-14, 3 KOs) over six rounds, in what was a scrappy encounter that had an MMA feel about it. Ciampa was effective in rough housing Pittman throughout the contest that noticeably threw him off. Nevertheless, Pittman was able to negotiate Ciampa, finding openings in his defence with greater regularity as the fight wore on. The judges scorecards all read 60-54 in favour of Pittman.
After the bout, Pittman stated that this was the ‘worst performance’ of his career, but credit must be given to him in adjusting to Ciampa’s style and tactics.
Bantamweight Mark Quon (7-2, 1 KO) defeated Thai Thongthai Rajonondh (15-11, 4 KOs) in a six round unanimous points decision. The scorecards all read 59-54 in Quons favour, though Quon was deducted a point during the bout for use of the elbow.
Heavyweight Andre Meunier (6-1, 2 KOs) scored an impressive second round stoppage win over Kim Heta (9-4, 7 KOs). The victory avenges Meunier’s defeat to Heta in October 2005.
Les Piper (10-2-3, 2 KOs) scored a dominant 10 round points decision victory over Luke Moloney (13-4), retaining his Australian super middleweight title. The scorecards read 99-91, 98-93 and 99-92 in Piper’s favour.
Debutants Dwight Ritchie and Wayne Martin took to the ring in their four round middleweight contest. Ritchie proved too strong for Martin, prevailing in a 39-36, 40-36, 40-37 points decision victory.
The Super Boxer series now heads to the AIS Arena in Canberra next Thursday 23rd July, with the main event being the rematch between heavyweights John Hopoate and Bob Mirovic.