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Last night at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham, England, Simone Maludrottu defended his European Bantamweight title against Ian Napa in a Frank Maloney promoted fightnight shown on Sky Sports and billed as “When Opportunity Knocks”.
Ian “The Dappa” Napa, from Zimbabwe and now based in Hackney, London, entered the ring wearing dark shades, looking confident and relaxed as he bounced around the canvas awaiting the Champion.
From Italy, Simone Maludrottu made his entrance to the cheers of the Italian fans who’d come to support him. Wearing a dark gown that bore a gold embroidered crown on its hood, he looked like King Maludrottu!
This was to be Maludrottu’s seventh defence of the European Bantamweight title and he is already ranked as the number one challenger by the WBC.
In the first round, Maludrottu commands the ring from the start. Napa, known for his high level of skill but lack of power, picks away at Maludrottu with little shots.
In the second round, a proud Napa stands toe to toe with the Italian. He keeps up the high workrate, not quite the expected tactics from Napa, and rumblings around ringside suggest it will be hard for him to keep that pace up against such an experienced boxer.
Round three and there is huge effort from Napa as he throws some body shots and uppercuts but the Italian looks unphased. Napa does manage to get through with a couple of shots, first a left to Maludrottu’s temple area followed immediately by a right, but the Londoner isn’t a big puncher and Maludrottu takes the shots.
Round four and Napa takes time to stand-off in between spats with Maludrottu. He puts in loads of effort again and doesn’t seem to have let the experience of the Italian or the fact that he has defended the title for three years, undermine him.
With 43 seconds of the round to go, Maludrottu throws a swinging right around the back of Napa’s head and Napa drops to the canvas. Belgian Referee Daniel Van de Wiele signals to the judges that this knockdown will not allowed and points harshly at the Italian with a look of “don’t do that again!’. It’s been a good round for Napa.
Round five and the challenger again is trying so hard. His workrate is still very good but his shots aren’t affecting Maludrottu.With 36 seconds of the round to go, both boxers are slugging it out.
Maludrottu, backed up in his own corner, comes back with a right-left combination and now Napa is against the ropes, dipping and bobbing to avoid the onslaught. He is hurt and the Italian continues the barrage of punches. Bravely, Napa manages to keep going to the end of the round.
Round six and Napa comes back out with the same amount of effort and workrate. Frank Maloney is sat leaning on the ring apron looking clearly engrossed and proud of Ian Napa. The crowd are singing “Nimble Napa” in support of their man.
The Belgian referee is a bit bothered by the use of the head by Napa and tells him to be careful.
Now in to the second half of the contest, a good right hand from Napa slips past the predominantly tight defence of the Italian. Halfway through the seventh, the referee warns Napa about a low blow, but in the last minute of the round, blood starts to flow from the nose of Maludrottu, showing signs that some of Napa’s shots are getting through.
This gives Napa some encouragement and he ploughs in with a number of shots. The closing seconds of the round and again Maludrottu is back up against the
ropes.
As they come out for round eight, it is Ian Napa who takes control from the middle of the ring and again, Maludrottu is backed on to the ropes. Ian Napa is really digging in and the effort throughout this fight has been unquestionable.
Finally, Napa is making an impression and looks determined in this round. The Italian Fans are chanting to try and lift their man. It’s a huge effort from Ian Napa!
A little less workrate in round nine and in the closing half-minute, it is Maludrottu that has Napa against the ropes. Can Napa keep up the effort in these latter rounds?
Maludrottu seems to take control again in round 10, but Napa takes the middle of the ring in the eleventh, forcing Maludrottu back to the ropes again. Napa takes a bodyshot from the Italian but continues to move forward and, although not so accurate, he keeps up the effort.
With 41 seconds to go, Napa stumbles over as Maludrottu accidentally shoves him. The referee waves it off and they continue fighting.
It’s the twelfth and final round and Ian Napa jumps out of his corner, ready to give everything he’s got into the last three minutes. It wasn’t such a busy round until the last 30 seconds when both boxers, perhaps sensing the end, exchanged punch for punch. The bell sounds for the end of the contest and both boxers hug. The crowd are noisy and appreciative of a fight that showed guts and determination.
Simone Maludrottu, 25-1 (10), wins by unanimous points decision and retains the European Bantamweight title.
Afterward, Ian Napa, 13-6 (0) said that Maludrottu’s experience and strength probably got the better of him. “He is a worthy champion” Napa said of Maludrottu.
