Boxing In Australia: Zappavinga Earns IBF Title Shot With KO In Sydney

Lenny Zappavinga needed just 101 seconds to transform himself from undefeated Top-10 contender to IBF mandatory lightweight challenger when he blasted out top-rated Jin Hoon Kim last night in their IBF-sanctioned lightweight title elimination bout. The fight took place last night at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Center.

“Lenny looked spectacular in knocking Kim out in first round. He is the Australian version of Arturo Gatti His fighting style is that exciting!” said promoter Gary Shaw.

Zappavinga (25-0, 17 KOs), of Sydney, scored two vicious knockdowns of Kim inside the first 90 seconds of the fight. Referee Wayne Kelly stopped it at 1:41 with a defenseless Kim on the ropes and on the receiving end of a vicious assault.

Kim (21-7, 18 KOs), of Goyang, South Korea, a one-time world championship challenger, suffered just his second loss over the past four years and 17 bouts.

“Bring on Miguel Vazquez,” exclaimed Lenny Zappa, referring to the IBF lightweight champion. “It’s time to bring another world title belt back to Australia.”

“I’m going to work hard to make his world title challenge of Vazquez in U.S. It would be perfect in Texas or Southern California,” said Shaw.

Australian by birth and Italian by descent, Lenny Zappa established himself as a prospect as an amateur. The four-time national amateur champion fashioned a 72-9 record which culminated with a Bronze Medal in the lightweight class at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, where he represented Australia.