By Craig Hardie – This past Tuesday US Light-Heavyweight contender Jameson Bostic went 1-0 in his ‘comeback’ downunder. The Otara Recreation Centre, South Auckland, New Zealand was the venue for Bostics comeback, whilst a far cry from the likes of Madison Square Garden where Bostic has applied his trade in the past, it was a happy hunting ground. After exactly 13 months of inactivity Bostic stepped between the ropes to face the always game, and durable Mose Ioelu 2-4-0..
Ioelu entered the ring as a late replacement as numerous other fighters pulled out for various reasons, if anything he showed plenty of heart, grit and determination whilst clearly not on the same level as Bostic. For Bostic who weighed in at a career high 194lbs this was his chance to shake the ring rust, and kickstart his return to the ring as he looks to move back down to his true fighting weight of 175lbs. The bout was contested over 4x2min rounds in the belief Ioelu would not be fit enough as a late sub to do the 4x3min originally scheduled, he proved everyone wrong turning up in shape and ready to fight. The fight itself was an entertaining one with Bostic establishing his long and powerful jab early on pumping it into Ioelus face at will, this continued for the first 2 rounds as Bostic looked comfortable in his ring return patiently picking Ioelu off causing him to sweel badly and bleed from the nose. Round 3 saw Bostic look to lift the pace of the fight as he started finding his range with his straight left and rattling Ioelu on a couple of occasions, but once again to Ioelu’s credit he hung tough and what he lacked in natural ability he made of for in fighting spirit often swinging wildy at Bostic without ever catching him flush. By round 4 Bostic was back into his groove his jab dominating Ioelu and his hard straight left was now being married with short sharp uppercuts as Ioelu lunged in. Had Bostic been in top shape one feels Ioelu would not have last the distance, as physically he looked like he had done the full 12 rounds after the fight. A solid night out for Bostic and a small step in the right direction as he looks to climb his way to the top!
The man now in his sights is WBO Oriental Light-Heavyweight Champion Walter Papua of Tonga. With Bostic looking to get rated, and Papua looking to defend his title it looks like a logical step for both. This writer can confirm Bostic’s team are ready and willing to square off against Papua the sooner the better, with Bostic asking “Are you ready to die for your belt Walter…………Im ready to die to take your belt lets get it on.” Bostic has two more fights scheduled on his trip downunder he’ll be looking to imporve upon his efforts at the Otara Recreation Centre with one eye firmly on Papua and the WBO Oriental strap, the other is looking slightly further ahead “I’m gunning for Zsolt Erdei or whatever his name is, Im gonna knock him out and take his WBO World Title.”
Interesting time slay ahead for Bostic and team.