Boxing In Australia: Two Title Fights On This Friday In Mansfield

By Bruce Dingo September 1st, 2008 All Boxing Articles

This Friday sees a good show in suburban Brisbane as the OPBF Heavyweight and the Australian Light Welterweight titles are up for grabs at Mansfield Tavern in Mansfield, Queensland.

Towering heavyweights Colin Wilson, 34-23 (20), and Nathan Briggs, 19-5 (16), have fought twice already with Wilson taking both contests by knockout in 2005 and 2006.

For the rubber match, Wilson puts up his OPBF crown, won from Alex Leapai via split decision in June.

Ironically, Leapai won that belt from Briggs via eighth round knockout in November of last year.

33 year old slugger Briggs, who won the Aussie title in just his fourth pro contest in 2001 before losing the same during a first defense, is riding a three bout win streak and aside from the Leapai loss, has gone 8-1 since the second Wilson fight.

Before winning the OPBF crown, 36 year old southpaw Wilson, who has held the Australian crown on two previous occasions, dropped four straight contests and looked to be headed out the door and this third fight against Briggs is a must win for "Kid Coalminer".

Australian Light Welterweight Champion Chris McCullen, 11-1-1 (5), won that belt for a second time with a third round stoppage of John Cotterill, 22-5 (10), in March and the two will do it again on the bill at Mansfield Tavern this Friday. More...