Dibb targets KO win

By Craig Watt
Photo courtesy Team Dibb

Australian IBF #5 and WBA #12 ranked featherweight Billy Dibb (30-1, 18 KO’s ) has been in Perth this week as part of his preparations for his upcoming fight with Filipino Ricky Sismundo (18-5, 7KO’s ) at the WA Italian Club in the city on March 12th. Alongside his trainer Billy Hussein he completed fourteen rounds of sparring in an open session for the public last night at the Competitive Boxing gym in downtown Malaga.

He looked sharp and took on some 4 separate sparring partners over the session showing speed, power and caught the eye of the watching crowd. After the session he spoke to Fightnews and stated, “I will accept nothing less than a knockout win for this fight. Sismundo is a tough Filipino and will come to have a war with me. It is a big year for me with a fight for Chris John’s WBA title being negotiated for July and so I have to be at the best of my game. You can see tonight I am in good shape and ready for this bout. I have been in camp in Sydney, Brisbane and now Perth taking in some of the best featherweight sparring in Australia and will give the fans a show of my boxing skills on March 12th. The fans should be in for an exciting fight – while it lasts.”

Dibb’s camp is close to finalising a fight with WBA champion Chris John in Sydney in July but first must get past Sismundo and maintain his focus whilst John is rumoured to be taking on Daud Cino Yordin (27-1, 21KO’s) in an all Indonesian clash in April, before the summer clash with Dibb.

Trainer Billy Hussein added, “You can see what great shape Billy is in for this fight. He looks sharp and we are now 10-0 since joining forces and I truly believe he can defeat most of the featherweights out there – including Chris John. This fight will be one of the biggest in recent years in Australia but we must not get complacent. Billy is fully focussed for an impressive performance on March 12th.”

Many have seen a transformation of Dibb’s style since he joined Billy Hussein after losing a lopsided decision to Steve Leuvano for the WBO 126 pound title in October 2008. Since then they are 10-0 with six knockout wins in his last six fights and have moved up the world rankings, well placed for a world title shot in 2011.

Didd explained, “This new partnership has transformed my style and my confidence and I feel I am ready to mix with all the best at 126 pounds. Its an exciting division with Gamboa, Chris John and Juan Manuel Lopez all holding versions of world titles. I am sure that with both Billy and the whole of Australia behind me I can join this group in 2011. I am reaching my peak and the fight versus Sismundo is my first step to a destiny year. I will not accept anything less than a knockout win on March 12th in Perth.”

The Sydney based fighter returns to Sydney on Friday to continue his preparation.

February 4th, 2011

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