Sam Soliman outscores Garth Wood

By Ray Wheatley / World of Boxing
Photos: Peter McDermott

IBF#2 Sam “King” Soliman (41-11, 17KOs) clearly outscored Garth “From The Hood” Wood (10-3-1, 6KOs) over twelve rounds at the Olympic Park Sports Center, Homebush, NSW, Australia on Sunday. Soliman took Wood to school in a scrappy fight that left the 2010 Australian Contender champion frustrated. Wood was the aggressor throughout the contest but had problems trying to nail the ring savvy Soliman, who used his big bag of tricks and an accurate left jab that worked overtime to go to a one sided win. Soliman connected with a solid right hand in round twelve that dropped Wood. At the conclusion scores were 119-109, 117-114, 118-110.

“Garth is a warrior and will be a champion in the future with more experience,” said Soliman. “I am happy with the win today and I am now looking forward to getting a crack at the world IBF title.”

Wood paid compliments to Soliman when he said “I watched Sammy in the ring as a kid and admired his ring skills. I will go back to the gym and comeback a better fighter.”

Soliman will now box for the IBF #1 position after IBF champion Daniel Geale defends against Osumanu Adama in Hobart on March 7. Wood who scored the biggest upset of 2010 when he KO’d current WBA interim light middleweight champion Anthony Mundine in five rounds, showed he can become a force in the middleweight division with more experience.

In the main supporting bout scheduled for twelve, Yao Yi Ma (10-1, 7KOs) defended the IBF Pan Pacific light middleweight title successfully with an eight round stoppage of Australian based South African Virgil Kalkoda (24-8-3, 16KOs). The rangy Ma has power in both hands but it was his left hook that was his best weapon as he continually staggered the 5’9, Kalkoda. In round eight, Kalkoda slumped back into the ropes after the 6’1 Ma delivered a powerful left hook and referee Brian McMahon crowned Ma at 1:42. Kalkoda said “I recently boxed world rated Daniel Dawson (former WBO challenger). Ma is a much better fighter and is definitely world class. I am now retired from boxing.”

Ma was was born in Taiwan but based in Australia for several years.

Former four time Australian amateur champion Sam Ah See (4-0, 3KOs) was impressive outpointing Indonesian Aswin Cabuy (12-28-2, 5KOs) over six rounds at light middleweight. Cabuy holds a win over world rated Samuel Colomban. Ah See is trained by former amateur star Michael Akkaway and managed by Paul Hennessy.

In a heavyweight bout, Peter Brennan (9-16-4, 2KOs) outscored Michael O’Donnell (6-16, 3KOs) over six rounds. Brennan, 5’10 outboxed the 6’3 O’Donnell in most of the rounds to be awarded a decision win.

Light heavyweight Ben McCulloch (8-0, 5KOs) scored a knockout over Samoan, Atalili Fai (1-9, 1KO). McCulloch had too many guns for the 42 year old opponent and dropped the import for ten count with a solid right hand in round two.

Thailand super middleweight Dechapon Suwunnalird (5-18, 1KO) scored a six round decision over Peter Kazzi (14-2, 7KOs). Suwunnalird has boxed several world class boxers in Australia including, Sakio Bika, Shannan Taylor and Les Sherrington. This was his first win “Down Under.”

Promoter Dream Team Management

February 19th, 2012

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