Dib destroys Servidei

By Ray Wheatley–World of Boxing
Photos: Peter McDermont

IBF featherweight champion Billy “The Kid” Dib (33-1, 20 KOs) was at his best when he made the first defense of the title and stopped IBF # 8 Alberto Servidei (31-1-2, 7 KOs) in round one at the Homebush Sports Center, Sydney, NSW, Australia on Saturday. Dib scored with effective left hand leads and power right shots that had Italy’s former European champion on the defensive but the champion found the openings and it was obvious early in the fight–the visitor was in trouble. The IBF champion maintained the attack and moved the challenger into the neutral corner where he delivered an eleven punch barrage with final punch–a left rip under the rib cage dropping Servidei. Referee Pete Podgorski of the USA counting out the challenger at 2:38. Dib said, “I wanted to make a statement tonight against Servidei. I want the featherweights to know I am the best in the division. I have all the respect in the world for WBA champion Chris John who has been a long time champion but I am the IBF champion so let’s see who is the best champion.” Dib captured the IBF title in July with a clear twelve round decision over Mexico’s.

Jorge Lacierva. There are several contenders who are after a shot at Billy Dib’s IBF title including tough IBF # 5 Filipino Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and respected IBF # 11 Mikey Garcia of the USA who have both shown outstanding skills. In main supporting bout at cruiserweight Danny Price (9-3-2, 4 KOs) outpointed James Chan (5-10-2, 4 KOs) over eight action rounds in a contest that had the fans cheering. Chan, 5’10″ came to fight and was in opponents face in all of the the rounds but it was the better work rate of Price, 6’2″, that had him edging the points on the judges scores which were 80-72, 80-72, 80-72. Price is trained by former national amateur champion David Birchell.

Top Rank managed super featherweight Paul “2 Gunz” Fleming (12-0, 9 KOs) was impressive in stopping experienced Indonesian Sonny Manakane (14-11-3, 8 KOs) in round two. Fleming consistently connected with power shots on Manakane and dropped him twice in round two and was crowned the winner by the referee at 2:48. Fleming is a 2008 Beijing Olympic representative where he lost to Khedafi Djelkhir. Feming’s amateur record was 83-17. He is managed by Cameron Dunkin of Top Rank. Fleming stopped Juan Jose Beltran in round one in Carson, California in July 2011.

Also at welterweight, Albert Howell (4-0-2, 2 KOs) boxed a three round technical draw with Englishman Darren Askew (6-6-1, 1 KO). The rangy southpaw Askew and powerfully built Howell boxed on even terms in rounds one and two but in round three a clash of heads inflicted a cut over the eye of Askew which was ruled too severe to continue at the end of the third round. Askew is from Workington, Cumbria, United Kingdom, but is now based in Brisbane, Australia under the expert eye of Steve Deller.

In other action lightweight Billiel Dib (5-0, 3 KOs) easily outscored Cheyne Rees (0-1) by scores 40-37, 39-37, 40-34.

Also, classy lightweight Takashi Suggiura (2-0, 2 KOs) was impressive in stopping Troy Glover (0-10) in round one. Sugiura, born in Japan is now based in Brisbane, Australia under Steve Deller.

Promoter: Michael Karagiannis.
Televised nationally on Foxtel Cable Television Network.

November 19th, 2011

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