18.11.05 – By Tony Nobbs: Late substitute Baden Oui (238 lb / record 5-3, 2 KO’s) scored a majority decision over an uninspiring Eric “Butterbean” Esch (386 lb / record 71-7-4, 54 KO’s) at Carrara Indoor Stadium last night. In a four rounder that was like watching paint dry, Oui (rated # 11 in Australia) got off to a tentative start, gradually gaining in confidence, poking away, doing just enough to get home on two of the judges cards (39-37 / 39-38) with the third having it even (38-38). Esch looked like likely when he tried but those occasions were too few and far.
A huge win for Baden, an unheralded 31 year old born in North Queensland who took the bout early in the week after “The Bean backed out of his clash with scheduled opponent Bob Mirovic. In his previous bout, Oui lost an eight round decision for the Queensland State title against Australian # 6 Mark Alexander.
In the main support locally based Les Sherrington captured the vacant Australian super middleweight belt with an off the floor second round knockout over fellow North Queenslander Arama Tabuai. In his pro debut in 2002 Sherrington was KO’d in one round by the dangerous Arama in front of his hometown fans in Townsville. In the build up to this fight Les spoke of the embarrassment of that loss and his eye for revenge. He got it but had to show some mettle as he was dumped by a left hook in the opening round. He weathered the rest of the period and was again caught clean in the second before over whelming Tabuai with several head shots. Tabuai never beat the count by ref Chris Daley. Time – 1:17. Congratulations to Sherrington and his hard working trainer Chubby Mc Evoy.
Sonni Michael Angelo registered a six round shutout over tough New Zealander Matt Te Paa at middleweight. All three judges tallied 60-54.
Come backing former Australian jnr middleweight champion Gavin “Too Sharp” Topp was just that for NZ’s Fili Mailata, scoring an impressive three round knockout at super middle. A right hand ended matters. Top guy Gavin has been out of action since year 2000.
Brad Hemming got some revenge on Dan Cody scoring a technical decision. Cody suffered over a cut over the left eye from a head clash in round four, fight stopped in the fifth. Hemming started swelling under the left eye in round two. In 2002 Cody stopped Hemming in five rounds. Dan had fought only once since while Brad has been active, fighting eleven times, winning the State and twice challenging for the Australian jnr welter title.
In the show opener, William Hadlow defeated Steve Tiernan by UD, winning every round, in a super middleweight four rounder. Tiernan down in the first.
A scheduled heavyweight four rounder between former NBL star John Szigeti and Shane Norford was cancelled.
Promoter: Jamie Myer
Crowd: 2300
Fox Sports Commentators: Andy Raymond and Brad Vocale.