Showdown’s No Letdown
With 3 Knockouts on the undercard and the World Title fight going the full distance, the 1000+ Suntec crowd were treated to some enthralling and highly entertaining action. A supremely confident Dondon Sultan overcame the courageous Eddie Delic by a unanimous decision over 12 rounds to win the vacant WBF World Welterweight Title Fight. Both fighters put on a rousing performance of boxing skill, with plenty of action to please a vociferous crowd.
The first public World Title Fight in 17 years in Singapore was a closely contested encounter in the early stages with the “Psycho” starting fast and edging the 2 of the first 3 rounds, but an accidental clash of heads opened a vertical cut over Delic’s left eye, later requiring 8 stitches to repair. Despite a great job by his corner man, Paul Fyfield in patching up the nasty wound, Delic’s rhythm was clearly disrupted and Sultan’s confidence grew after a relatively slow start.
“You’ll see why they call me ‘Psycho’,” remarked Delic in prior interviews and he clearly showed his courage in the ring to compete where lesser men would have capitulated after the wound. However the big punching Sultan proved stronger and controlled the centre of the ring constantly advancing and coaxing Delic who opted for a counterpunch style. Whilst Delic landed some top blows, Sultan had the audacity to smile as if unhurt although occasionally clearly shaken. The mobile Delic (a trained kick-boxer too) proved awkward for the bigger Sultan, and so Sultan missed out on his prediction of a 5th round KO, despite a desperate flurry to connect the knockout punch. Sultan’s work rate did prove to be greater in the middle and end rounds ensuring cleaner contact punches and scoring well on the judges scorecard. A deliberate push by Delic earned him a 1 point deduction in the second half of the fight and put the the fight beyond his reach (bar an unlikely KO) with the extremely fit Sultan finishing the stronger.
The crowd’s view was split with plenty of expatriate Australians supporting their national champion and the rest of the fans cheering for Sultan, but the decision was decisive.
The 3 judges scored it 115-112, 115-112 and 117-113 in favour for the Cebu based Sultan.
Referee: Mr. Bruce McTavish (Phi),
Judges: Messrs. Narong Hengtrakul (Tha), Thavorn Watanakul (Tha), and Dave Hedgecock (Aus)
“I’m so thankful I have finally achieved my dream of winning a world championship,” said Sultan, who is now scheduled to move up the rankings and achieve another personal ambition of fighting in Las Vegas.
On the professional undercard:
 Emmett Gazzard (5-0, 5 KOs) from Queensland, Australia took on the experienced Bangkok based Thai Saensak Singmanasak (12-16-2, 6KO’s) for the vacant WBF Bantamweight Intercontinental Title fight.
Gazzard, the reigning Australian champion, who had a highly successful amateur career before turning pro 2 years ago comfortably defeated Singmanasak with a KO in the 6th round. It was the first time Gazzard was stretched beyond 4 rounds in his short professional career and Singmanasak proved resilient to say the least getting off the canvas no less than 6 times. Gazzard’s got real power for a bantamweight (118lb / 53.5 kg division), clearly punching above his weight and he added a display of showmanship in the ring which roused the crowd.
After one or two successful defences of his new crown Gazzard aims to fight for the World Title and just maybe that will be in Singapore again. “My first visit to Singapore, but I really love the hospitality and feel at home”, said the unbeaten Aussie.
Singaporean Super Bantamweight Mohd Nor Rizan (2-0, 2 KO’s) came out firing on all cylinders and promptly did his home crowd proud by demolishing his vastly experienced and much older Thai opponent, Kawponkanpin (7-6, 2 KO’s), with the referee stopping the fight in the 3rd round. The orthodox Rizan was fresh from a month’s training camp in Melbourne, sparring and being taught by some of Australia’s top ex-champions. The ring craft learned were clear for all to see and Rizan revelled in his new found confidence and did not let his local support down by dropping his opponent down twice in the first. On the the advice of his corner Rizan cruised the 2nd round bearing in mind the fight was scheduled for 6 rounds and eventually his punishing left hooks and power caused Kawponkanpin’s right eye to swell shut. Referee Dave Hedgecock had no option but to stop the fight after a careful examination by the ringside doctor, Dr. Lee. For Rizan the future is bright if he can fight on a regular basis, which will mean a few overseas trips. Clearly he has the talent to move on to junior regional title in his next 3 to 4 fights. No predictions but manager/trainer Barry Pestana says, “I’ve been in boxing all my life, here, UK, US, and the UK and Rizan is a genuine prospect – a hard puncher with excellent footwork.”
Who knows Singapore may add to bowling and sailing world champions. Now that would nice!
On the first Pro fight card Singaporean David Alexis (0-1) made a losing pro debut against Thailand’s Dennadai Sithdara (6-4 KO’s). Alexis was a little nervous and the young Thai showed no fear in forcing a TKO at 2:30 in the first round cornering Alexis and delivering a flurry of unanswered blows which left the referee no choice but to step in and rescue the Alexis from further punishment. Alexis was not happy but you can’t stand there like a punch bag.
A real pity for Alexis who probably would have put a good showing over the scheduled four rounds. He has the skills, but the will must match. The boxing like all pro’ sport game is unforgiving and Alexis will have to dust himself off and become much sharper second time out, something he is determined to do.
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