8 August 2008

Mike C Ryan writes:

An African fighting an African for an Australian title? Sounds another of the imitation matches that abound in contemporary boxing. But this one is a real deal. Oyewale Omotoso meeting Samual Columban. That’s top quality.

Fighters Factory presents the 10-rounder for the vacant Australian welterweight title at Fort Knox on 22 August.

Omotoso is a svelte glider with the look of young Ray Robinson. OO won his first eight fights, seven knockouts, 19 rounds, in Murray Thomson’s Melbourne series.

Columban has won 10 pro bouts since staying on from Melbourne’s 2006 Commonwealth Games.

The Australian welterweight title lies vacant because Matt Paulley left it to take the "IBO Asia Pacific" bauble, an exchange of good metal for false if ever there was one. (Sure he could have taken his trivial IBO but then immediately abandoned it to keep the dinkum Aussie crown).

This observer calculates that, though less seasoned, both Omotoso and Columban are better caliber than Paulley. Anyway the winner at Fort Knox will welcome Matt next.

We’ll go early and estimate Omotoso surely "sweet as Sugar."