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Two Takes for Traralgon

Three way split, title still vacant

In a bout billed for another of those World Boxing Federation vacant titles -- this time the WBF Asia Pacific light-heavyweight title. Clinton "Jackhammer" Johnson and James Chan battled ruggedly to a 10-round draw. The vacancy stands.

Fighters Factory of Blackburn in suburban Melbourne ventured down to Gippsland in eastern Victoria, to stage the match at Traralgon Sports Stadium on Saturday, March 24, and was rewarded with a full house of 1,400 spectators

The hometowners reckoned their man Clint won. The neutrals though it was Chan’s easily.

James Chan from Gympie, Queensland guided by Bob Wilson, is 4-3-1. His first round knockout of ex-amateur topliner, Daniel Baff bade caution. Murray Thomson’s Johnson from Melbourne is 4-2-1.

These two hardly represent the peak of the light-heavyweight realm of the Pacific and Asia - ANBF ranks Johnson # 13 super-middleweight in Australia and Chan # 8 cruiserweight - but the two gallants certainly made an honourable job of their inter-state bout.

Chan punched short and sharply to reach the taller Clint. He drummed the body then brought a left hook to the chin. The "Jack Hammer’s" long piston arms did not take their usual good effect.

Judge Andrew Campbell had Chan winner by five points. Judge Jim Boland made Johnson winner by one point. Judge Con Theodoros scored a tie. Result, a three way draw.

CHAS EDWARDS.

Chan supporters reckoned WBF owner, Mick Croucher, was short sighted to be seen sitting beside Jim Boland chatting during the bout. Not that any wrong interpretations should be drawn.

Mr Croucher has announced he is putting the same "WBF light-heavyweight Asia Pacific title" up again in May. Promoted by Peter Maniatis.. Contestants next time, Tim Bell and Sean Connell. Another vacancy, another sanction fee.

And by the way, the Traralgon "Championship" was fought over ten TWO-minute rounds!

Mr Croucher is taking the fight game to a new level.

Fatai’s 17th dynamite job

Mike Wanprasert from Thailand was clearly out his class against the Nigerian powerhouse, Fatai "Kid Dynamite" Onikeke. Dynamite stalked and dismantled Wanprasert with his power and non-stop walking up, yet robotic, style of boxing. Onikeke’s relentless pressure fighting game plan was too much for a game Thai. The southpaw tried his best in a pit of quicksand.

In the fourth round, Onikeke dropped the Thai with a barrage of punches. The referee Chris Anderson waved the fight off, although a hurt Wanprasert clearly made the count.

I believe it was the right decision by Anderson, for these reasons:
1. Wanprasert was outclassed.
2. Wanprasert was outpunched.
3. Onikeke's workrate was overwhelming
4. Wanprasert in my opinion, could not win and did not have the firepower to spring an upset.
5. Boxing is a sport, not a slaughter.
6. Seventeen out of twenty Onikeke victories have come by knockout.

Incidentally Wanprasert fought Aussie middleweights, Topp and Dawson, before he crumbled to the barely-welterweight Fatai, 140 ½ lb.

Pradeep not "super" size

His 13th bout held no traps for Pradeep Singh. Fighters Factory’s big hope defeated Somchai Chimlum of Thailand by unanimous decision over eight rounds to reach 13-0 {8 KOs).

Although displaying some ring-rust Singh managed to win every round on one judge’s scorecard, and by seven and six points the others. This Thai was very tough, very willing and wanted to have a go at the undefeated former OPBF and PABA title holder, both of which belts Pradeep has vacated. The scores mislead: the Thai was far from outclassed.

Chimlum put on a very gutsy performance and stretched "The Indian Warrior" much further than most expected him to go and than Somchai’s 0-4 record on Australian soil suggested. There, all was not what it seemed. This fighter has fought the likes of Jamie Pittman, Daniel Geale, Daniel "Porky" Lovett and Kane McKay. This fellow seems to take on all comers.

This scribe noticed that Singh was very uncomfortable after the fourth round; the courageous and tough Thai was still there having a go. Singh appeared to be wearing too much beef which needs to be trimmed of fat around the edges. Super-middleweight is definitely not Singh’s division, light-middleweight would be the slot I’d weigh Singh at. He may appear tall as a light-middleweight but at super-middleweight he lacks height, reach and above all ... punching power in the 12-stone weight-class.

Sonni Michael Angelo should prove to be a very good road-worthy for the talented Singh, as long as the African’s ring antics, taunts and other charades don’t distract Singh from his game plan. This fight will be a blockbuster. My brain says Singh, if unsettled. That match-up will be well worth a ringside seat.

Heath outtricks Bigshotcamp

In the second bout of the evening, Heath "The Heat" Ellis defeated Thai boxer Dennappa Bigshotcamp by a unanimous points decision in a compelling and entertaining match over six rounds. Heath’s fourth straight win..

Ellis started the fight well using his jab on Bigshotcamp. From the first bell Bigshotcamp was showboating, whether it was leaning against the ropes before each round or sticking his chin out. Ellis shrugged off most of his taunts with punches that visibly hurt Bigshotcamp.

The Thai’s face was a good indicator of how one-sided the fight was turning. The Thai continued to taunt Ellis with a unusual dance and "c’mon" gesture in the sixth round, to which Ellis responded with a replica of the "Ali Shuffle" that had the crowd on their feet shouting for more. To his credit Dennapa remained on his feet despite the onslaught he faced.

Bigshotcamp’s recent opponents were top names - such as two-time world title challenger, Tommy Browne; the rising prospect Bobby Antonakos; and how could I forget "KO Kid," Ranee Ganoy. Even former Australian welterweight Champion Matthew Paulley makes his list.

This was a great learning fight for Ellis against a crafty, durable Thai. No taxi driver, more a saloon chauffeur.

Last surprise was the Thai’s reaction at the final bell, Bigshotcamp doing push-ups in centre ring!

To no avail, Ellis won on all scorecards 60-54. He improves to 4-0 (2 KOs).

Daniel chop-chop

Ellis stable’s flyweight, Daniel Iannazzo defeated Pornchai Sithpajuk of Thailand by unanimous decision over four rounds. After first nervously dancing around the Thai, Daniel found his range in the third round and dropped his man with a right hand. Iannazzo won on all scorecards 40-35. Pornchai, originally name Chopchai, went eight the full eight rounds with Victorian champ Shane Brock the previous month.