14.09.07 – By Tony Nobbs: Veteran Shannan Taylor ( age 34, record 46-6-2, 31 KO’s) was awarded with a first round Disqualification victory to claim the vacant WBF middleweight boxing belt at the Cronulla Leagues Club in Sydney tonight (Friday Sept 14). Opponent Sonni Michael Angelo (age 22, record 14-6, 5 KO’s) was ruled to have deliberately used his head causing a massive gash on the left side of Taylor’s head. Time: 1 minute 57. As soon as the incident occurred Taylor complained to ref Chris Anderson and doctor Lou Lewis that it was from an intentional butt..
To be honest, it did not appear that way to this writer- or Fox Sport commentators Andy Raymond and triple crown world champ and the promoter of the night Jeff Fenech. Angelo was upset and crying in the ring after and involved in some push and shove with a member of Shannan’s camp as he went back to his change room. Taylor said in the ring a rematch will happen.
As for the action or what there was – Shannan was caught by a grazing right that stood him up in the first few seconds but then composed and used the jab. Sonni let fly with a couple more wild rights but was moving away and the collision happened with Sonni having his back to the ropes.
WBF President Mick Croucher informed that there will be a review of the tape and result in the coming weeks.
A subdued, confident looking Angelo (Australian # 4 at 168 lb) entered the ring first to Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” (Riddick Bowe v Holyfield 1) while Taylor (Aust # 1 at 160 lb)came out wearing his traditional black trunks to “Eye of the Tiger”.
In the semi main Sydney’s Junior Talipeau ( Aust # 4 / 8-0, 2 KO’s) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Queensland state champion George Livaditas (Aust # 7 / 5-2-2, 2 KO’s) to win the vacant Australian middleweight title. Talipeau never gave Livaditas time to get momentum and landed several clean shots in each stanza. The tough Brisbane southpaw was well beaten but did not shirk the issue in any sense and tried to rally in the last round. Talipeau, who previously won the WBF Asia Pacific strap looks to have potential. He is a very busy fighter with a good kit of punches. Eastside 100-89. No knockdowns.
Rough and ready Australian welterweight champ Eddie “Psycho” Delic (13-7-2, 2 KO’s) from Melbourne, Victoria, swarmed over flashy local Edgar “Brown Sugar” Wymarra (13-6-2, 5 KO’s) to win a ten round decision. The fight was originally set for Delic’s national strap but after Wymarra, who has a history of not making weight – came in about 4 lb over the limit it was sanctioned for the WBF Australasian junior middleweight title. The fight, Wymarra’s first for 28 months could not have got off to a worse start for the Sydney sider as he was nailed flush by a Delic over hand right and deposited on his back side in the opening thirty seconds. Eddie could not find the finisher but he landed more clean right hands in the early rounds and closed the bout punishing Edgar who showed a lot of fatigue but brief glimpses of obvious talent and skill wise at least an Australian title is not out of his grasp. Eastside 100-89.
Michael Kirby (2-0-1, 1 KO / 108.30 kg) won a deserving and hard fought six round decision over cumbersome southpaw Les Mason (3-1, 2 KO’s /120.40 kg), brother of footballer Willie. Kirby utilized a cross arm defense and good body punches through out and got home some nice straight rights and left hooks against his heavily publicized fellow novice. Mason looks to have some half decent skills but is very heavy on his legs. Scores split. Eastside 58-56 Kirby.
In a rematch, West Sydney’s Ben Walberton (4-0-1, 0 KO) and Filipino Ernie Gonzales (0-1-1) fought a six round draw in a busy little opening bout at featherweight. Walberton received a standing eight count in round four but fought back strongly. A good fight and a fair enough decision.