By Tony Nobbs: Contender series 3 champion Sakio “The Scorpion” Bika needed just one round (2 min 59 to be exact) to dispose of Argentine champ Gustavo Javier Kapusi at Cronulla Leagues Club in Sydney last night. Headlining a Foxsport Jeff Fenech Fight Night Bika (IBF & IBO # 10), wearing his blue team Contender trunks, couldn’t have done anything but finish the fight in style against the late replacement who arrived in Australia on Thursday morning.
A well placed left to the ribs dropped Kapusi (IBO # 66) in a nuetral corner and the visitor never looked like trying to beat the count. The end may have looked weak but he was caught with a solid shot downstairs and had been hurt with a more serious punch in the same area only seconds earlier. Kapusi caught an over anxious Bika early in the round with right hands but spent most of the time on the back foot and it was obvious that it was only a matter of how long.
Kapusi, 34, holds wins over WBA title challenger Jose Clavero and J.C Dominguez. He was a late sub for Brazil’s Luzimar Gongaza who had suffered a knockout two weeks back
After the fight Cameroon born Sydney sider Bika,28, said he wanted a rematch with Joe Calzaghe and Lucien Bute or a clash with Mikel Kessler or Jeff Lacey but surprisingly made no mention of Anthony Mundine who he has been publicly chasing of late.
In the semi main IBF Pan Pac 154 lb champ Ryan Waters (ANBF # 3) unanimously outpointed the Bohol Stable’s fading Dondon Sultan, a former WBF & PABA titlest, over eight non title rounds at light middleweight. Eastside scored 79-73.
33 year old former IBF 130 lb champ Gairy t Clair (IBF # 14) out worked former PABA title holder Jun Paderna of the Bohol Stable over the last half of a six rounder and got away with a majority decision at light welter poundage. Eastside had it 58-56.
It was third time lucky for Pinoy Ernie Gonzales junior as he took home the vacant NSW Featherweight title with a vicious knockout in the eighth and final round of a ripping – if not untidy at times – war with favored Ben Warburton (ANBF # 5). Warburton had previously outpointed and drawn with the Todd Makelin trained Gonzales and the first six rounds were give and take but it was clear “Benny The Jet” was becoming increasingly flustered and Gonzales hurt his man with big shots in the seventh. In the eight, a right uppercut floored Warburton and the fight was over there. However the gutsy local beat the count was down and out from a right hand flush. 30 year old “Speedy” Gonzales was a national junior schoolboy champion as an amateur boasting a 71-24 lily white record in his native land but this was only win number two out of five paid performances. 19 year old Warburton should not be too discouraged as he showed promise.
Former NSW state amateur champion Michael Bolling made his pro debut and stopped the very gutsy country Queenslander Chris Fox in the final stanza of a four by two minute round contest, light heavy’s. 23 year old southpaw Bolling will take a while to rid the amateur style but looks a capable addition to the pro ranks. He is trained by LA Olympian Brendan Cannon. 32 year old Fox took plenty of punishment and deserved to go the route but unfortunately fell just 18 seconds short. However, it was a good stoppage. Even commentator Jeff Fenech praised the visitor’s gameness. Fox had 110 amateur bouts, winning 73, including a minor state title, but had a lengthy break before turning pro in February.
Former footballer Daniel Pawsey outpointed luckless Damien Smith (NSW # 2- Boxrec Aust # 13) over four rugged and close rounds at super middleweight. Eastside had it 38-38.
Promoters: Grange Old School Boxing Gym
Match maker(s): Angelo Hyder & Pat Kennedy
Foxsport commentators: Andy Raymond & Jeff Fenech.