Boxing News Boxing News
Lenny “Zappa” Zappavigna returns to the ring for 2009 on March 11 at The Cube at Campbelltown Catholic Club in Campbelltown, Australia, making his first defence of the IBF Pan-Pacific Welterweight title against the former IBF and IBO Super Featherweight Champion Gairy ‘The Superman’ St. Clair, scheduled for 12 rounds of championship boxing.
The exciting ‘Zappa’ is 21 years of age from the Sydney suburb of Leppington, tutored by the well respected trainer Tommy Mercuri and under the managerial guidance of Billy Hussein.
Zappavigna, 17-0 (13), has risen rapidly with a ground swell of buzz and interest through the professional ranks following his more than distinguished amateur career which included a Bronze Medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games held in Melbourne, Australia.
Six weeks of sparring and training work in 2007 with boxing’s undisputed Pound-For-Pound king and future Hall-of-Famer, Manny Pacquiao, further credentialed Zappavigna for the bigger fights to come in the near future.
The world-class associations or preparation have not stopped there with Zappavigna’s most recent work involving training partner and former IBO Super Featherweight champion Billy ‘The Kid’ Dib, who will also appear on the March 11 card, challenging for two titles.
Zappavigna also has worked with the “Raging Bull’ himself, Vic Darchinyan, the undisputed super flyweight champion of the world, preceding his most recent stunning knockout win over Jorge Arce.
Zappavigna’s most recent bout won him the IBF Pan-Pacific title, via sixth round TKO stoppage of former world-title challenger Tommy ‘Titan’ Browne with the a superb body shot of the type rarely seen these days, completely stunning a frenetic crowd after what had been an fantastic battle between two worthy combatants up to that point.
The man in Zappavigna’s way come March 11 will be “The Superman”, Gairy St. Clair, 41-8-2 (18), who may be deemed in the twilight of an illustrious career by some, but without a doubt is no spent force.
St. Clair has enjoyed a career boasting the aforementioned world-title belts and multiple title challenges with various luminaries such as Cassius Baloyi and Malcolm Klassen, to name but a few.
It would be fair to say that ‘The Superman’ would be Zappavigna’s biggest test to date, and one that certainly has wider scope than defending Lenny’s well earned belt, with major US promoters already circling after hearing about the boxing artist from Sydney’s west named ‘Leonardo’.
The boxing grapevine travels fast and with a tidal wave of developing ability, coupled with the right fight strategy being brought to bear by trainer Mercuri and Manager Hussein, “The Zappa” may well provide the kryptonite that the “The Superman” doesn’t have an answer too and may launch him to significant bouts in the US.
Zappavigna commented about the upcoming bout, saying, “I’m really looking forward to the bout as Gairy is such a world-class fighter and I want to take on the best to challenge and develop myself for the higher class bouts further into my career. This is a real test for me and I can’t wait.”
Trainer Tommy Mercuri said, “This is a great fight no doubt about it and I’m really looking for Lenny to go to another level. Gairy is a super fighter and this bout brings together two very differing styles, but promises plenty. I have untold faith in my fighter and I can’t wait for Lenny to produce the goods.”
Manager Billy Hussein said, “It’s a great card put together by Grange Old School Boxing and Lenny’s match-up with ‘The Superman’ is a bout the fans have been calling for and once the fight was made, has been well received. I believe Lenny has the tools to take Gairy, and it makes for a great clash”.
