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Gostelow and Mosquera. The pair probe early

Close quarter fury. Mosquera wore one leg of his trunks tasselled

Gostelow drills the bending southpaw. Lance looked a winner at this stage

A new promoter, in an unfamiliar Melbourne arena, the St Kilda Palace, produced two terrific 12 rounders on Sunday evening, May 6. The final fight was one of the best fights I have ever seen, odds-on to be fight of the year in Australia. Undefeated Lance Gostellow, 63.3, and veteran Guillermo Mosquera, 63.5, met for the WBF version of the world light-welterweight title.

In the very first round Lance suffered a cut to his left eye from an AHC (accidental head cut) and had Ray Giles busy all night patching it up. The classy Mosquera tantalised and tempted Lance throughout the fight offering an unprotected chin to him, then weaving and swaying away from the onslaught.

Lance caught him with some punches that would have felled an ox, and on at least a dozen occasions had the wily 42-year-old travelling on rubbery legs. Mosquera seemed only to be showing his toughness and reflexes.

The undefeated fighter from Mareeba, North Queensland - 19 years younger than Mosquera -- won every round bar three or four with classic boxing.

The 12th and final round seemed a mere formality: all Lance had to do to win was survive it and we would see him ascend to an world title in only his 11th fight (10 wins, 8 KOs). But fate is a cruel master for though it offered the chance it snatched it back.

One minute 18 seconds into the last round, Mosquera looked gone.

Then as Lance moved in to finish him off, the Colombian-Kiwi unleashed two power-laden punches that KOd Lance on his feet. Referee Dave Hedgecock seeing Lance’s helplessness moved in to protect him from further harm and caught him before he fell.

Seconds later, the third man crowned Mosquera a wholly deserved WBF light-welterweight champion by KO 12.

Promoter Brian Armatruda, not one to let a chance slip by, had both boxers signed to a rematch within 30 minutes of the fight finishing. Their rematch will sell out before the day, and in a bigger arena.

The Palace venue was packed even though there was hardly any media publicity. The turn-up was proof that good matches will draw the knowing fans.

Armatruda has assisted Julian Holland but this was his first promotion up front.

Undoubtedly one of the best fight promotions I have ever attended.

Cruisers churn the sea

Nermin Sabanovic’s left flies harmless over elusive Kiwi, Mohamed Azzaoui

Belts galore to take home to New Zealand

The Cruiserweight fight between Mohamed Azzaoui ( 88.8) and Nermin Sabonovic( 86.6) over 12x3s was for three titles, the WBA’s PABA Cruiserweight, the IBF’s Pan Pacific and the WBF’s Australasian -- and what a fight!

The 42 year old Sabonovic from Adelaide , a true warrior, took the fight up to the undefeated New Zealander, Azzaoui, and never shirked his task all night.

Nermin is a delight to watch : after his one-round demolition of James Grima here, Melbourne fans knew he is dangerous. But tonight was not his night and the skilful Azzaoui ran out a comfortable winner over the championship 12 for his 18th straight victory.

It was an edge-of-seat fight, though, and the scorecards belied a great matchup.

Andre’s shock recovery

Andre Meunier pierces Dylan Goddard’s defence with left uppercut. This was Murray River snowy-haired amateur Goddard’s pro debut

Promoter Brian Armatruda delivered a great night of boxing action. After a slow opener. the show was like a snowball crashing down a mountain and had everyone on the edge of their seats throughout the night.

In the first fight over 4x3s, Paz Viejo ( 76.7) outpointed Lucky La Riccia, 76.2. La Riccia got going too late and went down 37-39 on all cards.

The second fight pitted Andre Meunier, 99.9 ,against Dylan Goddard, 91.5, in a fight that turned into a classic. We all thought this would be an early ending when Goddard smashed Meunier down with a crashing right in the first round.

Meunier was out on his feet and given no chance.

But the big man fought back couragously to knock Goddard down in the third round and storm home to a wholly unexpected win on points.

Game Jamie - one mitt

Costa Chondros 90.0 was matched against Terry Fox’s other Adelaide fighter, Jamie Wallace 85.2 in a six rounder. Both men carried excess baggage and this fight will trim them up for future engagements. Costa allowed Wallace to hit him with light jabs that scored well with the judges but didn’t hurt. Wallace boxed well throughout but couldn’t peg back Chondros’ lead and went down narrowly on points in a split decision.

This fight showed Jamie’s heart. He broke his right hand in the second round. I inspected it post fight and it was as swollen as a Christmas ham.

Watch for Chondros in a future Australian Cruiserweight title fight, and Jamie in a possible Light- heavyweight title.

Sizzling Sam Colomban

Columban, swift winner

In another 6x3 bout, Samuel Colomban, 64.9, was matched with Jun Geraladino, 67kg from the Philippines. Columbine’s skill and power glittered when he KOd Geraldino in the first round. Sizzling Sam is all class and I can not see any welterweight in Australia giving him problems. Manager and trainer, Ray Giles intends to give him one or two more fights before challenging for the Welterweight title, he has both Eddie Delic and Shannon McMahon in his sights and would be happy to fight whichever is willing.

Colomban came here for the Commonwealth Games a year ago. Another thing that will be worrying to the Light-Welters is, Ray assures that Samuel can make the lesser weight. My advice to the light-welters would be to send him plenty of chocolate, c/o St Kilda PCYC.