13.05.06 – By Tony Nobbs: Former Australian junior middleweight champion Gavin Topp got through his third comeback bout after a five and a half year lay off by taking a tough eight round decision over come to fight Filipino Nonoy Gonzalez in front of an enthusiastic 800 plus crowd at Jamie Myer’s Fight Night at the South Tweed Aquatic Bar & Grill in Northern NSW on Friday night.
After out boxing Gonzales over the first half of the fight, Topp dragged himself into a slugging match and while he clearly out landed his seasoned opponent the more damaging shots were connected by Gonzales, who was in his second bout in Australia this year. Topp was cut over the left eye by right hands in the early rounds and his willingness to stand and trade kept
Nonoy in the fight after it appeared Gavin’s steady and crisp body shots were tiring the 29 year old from Manila.Topp,33, was badly hurt in the seventh, slumping back in to his corner at the bell but rallied in the last to earn the unanimous decision. In the end the locals flashy combinations were enough to win. Eastside carded it 77-75 for Topp, 156 lb, who challenged for Commonwealth honors in 1999 and is now 19-2, 4 KO’s. Gonzales, 153 lb, a former WBC International and Asian Boxing Council title challenger dropped to a credible 21-15, 10 KO’s.
The popular Gold Coaster had been planning to fight for the WBO Asia Pacific title in the main event on Myer’s next promotion at Southport RSL on June 9 but after this war it will probably be several months before he returns. Many veteran followers of the local fight scene reckoned this bout was one of the most cracking they had seen for many years. After being halted in five heats by WBO # 4 135 pounder Mick Katsidis in a welterweight contest in March, Gonzales was determined to put in a solid display and he won many fans and would give any of our domestic stars a tough night. He prepared for the fight by sparring Australian middleweight champion Adam Vella and trainer Tod Makelin predicted an upset knockout in the lead up. The Danny
McGrail trained Topp’s cuts and abrasions to his nose were severe to put it mildly and it was a credit to his cut man Bill College, long regarded as Australia’s best to keep him in the fight. Referee was Brad Vocale.
In under card action, Australian super middleweight champion Jamie Pittman (8-0, 5 KO’s) pitched a shut out over Thialand’s capable Denchapol Swanalert (9-5, 3 KO’s) in a six rounder. Southpaw Pittman, 168.5 lb, looks to be on the improve and went after the lanky and awkward visitor in each round but Swanalert, 165.5 lb, from the popular Tassanu stable in Bangkok was
skilled enough to make more than a few of Jamie’s big shots miss and fire in the odd right hand to keep his man honest. Swanalert is good enough to test any prospect in Australia and if taken lightly might just pull off a surprise. He is value for money and is durable, so far going the route with four current or former national champs in this country.
In a four rounder, Sonni Michael Angelo (10 -2, 3 KO’s) edged three fight novice Les Piper (1-1-1, 1 KO) taking a majority verdict. Both weighed in just over the super middleweight limit. All weigh ins were held at 11 am fight day.
Six amateur bouts preceded the pro side of the card.