Boxing In Australia: Weekend Results

Big weekend Down Under with the pick of the litter being today’s great show at Challenge Stadium in Perth, headlined by the long awaited return of former WBA Light Heavyweight Champ Danny Green but also including Jackson Asiku, Gairy St. Claire and William Kickett.

16 months after shocking the boxing world by walking away from the sport and WBA title, big punching local hero Green began his comeback today with a bang, crushing South African import Anthony Van Niekerk, 21-7-2 (13), in just two rounds.

The glory days of former South African and All Africa Middleweight titlist Van Niekerk came nine years ago and the 35 year old, who was recently stopped a year ago by Daniel Bruwer in a South African Light Heavy title challenge, was the perfect choice for Green to return against.

Van Niekerk tried from the start to outwork Green but the strength of the Aussie’s punches, even the jab, was just two much.

In the second frame, a sizzling combination from Green canvassed the South African, who beat the count only to walk into a full-blooded right hand that emphatically ended the fight.

36 year old Green improves to 26-3 (23) and after the bout focused his attention to the reason for his comeback, a rematch with former two-time WBA Super Middle Champion Anthony Mundine, who defeated Green on points three years ago at super middleweight.

Green will likley continue to sharpen up against more lesser grade opponents while Mundine, who has dropped down to middleweight, must first come through a very high profile IBO title challenge of reigning champion Daniel Geale next month.

Also on the bill at Challenge Stadium today, former Commonwealth Featherweight king Jackson Asiku, 24-3 (13), stopped ex-IBF/IBO Super Feather Champion Gairy St. Clair, 41-10-2 (18), in the ninth round during a rematch at super feather.

The occasion marks the first time that iron-chinned St. Clair, who outpointed Asiku in an eight rounder in 2003, has ever not finished a bout on his feet despite facing an outstanding lineup of opponents including Diego Corrales, Vivian Harris, Malcolm Klassen, Cassius Baloyi, Leonard Dorin, Amir Khan, Leonardo Zappavinga and William Kickett.

Speaking of Kickett, 14-1 (5), the super feather prospect was also on the undercard today in Perth, making his greatly anticipated return from the shocking first round KO loss to Ahmed Elomar in November by outpointing Indonesian lightweight Moses Seran, 20-13 (10), after six rounds.

Earlier today at Jupiter’s Hotel and Casino in Townsville, Queensland, Australian Bantam Champ Fred Mundraby, 8-0-1 (5), defended his crown against Australian Super Bantam titlist Robert Lerio, 9-8 (3).

It was a gritty matchup that saw Lerio lose two points for low blows and Mundraby lose one from a headbutt before Lerio was stopped in the sixth.

There was a good bill at the national Convention Centre in Canberra complete with two title bouts.

Kariz Kariuki, 18-7-2 (17), regained his old WBO Asia Pacific super middle crown by stopping Sonni Michael Angelo, 15-8-2 (5), in the ninth.

Southpaw Matthew Paulley, 18-5-5 (7), retained his IBO Asia Pacific Welter strap with a ten round points verdict against Jason Kanofski, 11-2-3 (2), while former two-time IBO Welterweight title challenger Robert Medley, 24-2 (16), stopped Plaisakda Singwancha, 35-18 (29), in the second at middleweight.