Amir Khan Meets Billy Dib on Friday in a (Supposedly) Landmark Event

Published

5 years ago

July 11, 2019

Amir Khan Meets Billy Dib on Friday in a (Supposedly) Landmark Event

Callum Smith vs. George Groves was the headline attraction in the first professional boxing card of note in Saudi Arabia. They fought last year in Jeddah on Sept. 28 in the finals of the World Boxing Super Series super middleweight tournament. At stake was the Muhammad Ali trophy and Groves’ WBA world title belt. Smith (TKO 7) left with the hardware.

Tomorrow’s show pitting Amir Khan (pictured) against Billy Dib in the main event is less historic – there can only be one first – but you wouldn’t guess it from all the hype. “This will be a landmark event that puts Jeddah on the world boxing map,” says Indo-British entrepreneur Bill Dosanjh, Khan’s longtime advisor. “We intend to make Saudi Arabia a big fight capital just like Las Vegas, New York, and London,” says Khan.

Khan was originally slated to fight Neeraj Gayat, a fighter from India. That would have given the promoters a natural hook. The rivalry between India and Pakistan in cricket has been called the fiercest rivalry in all of sports. Amir Khan was born in England but his family’s roots are in Pakistan.

Against Gayat, who has conquered only four opponents with winning records while building an 11-3-2 ledger, Khan would have almost certainly won every minute of every round, assuming he didn’t lead with his chin. But Gayat suffered injuries in a car accident on June 26 and was forced to withdraw, opening the door to Billy Dib who was slated to appear on the undercard.

On paper Dib (45-5, 26 KOs) is a far stronger opponent than Gayat. An Australian born to a Lebanese father and a Palestinian mother, Bilal “Billy” Dib (not to be confused with his cousin, junior lightweight campaigner Billel Dib) won the WBC featherweight title in 2011 and held it for 19 months. In his most recent match against a top-tier opponent, he went 12 rounds in a losing effort vs. WBC 130-pound title-holder Tevin Farmer.

And therein lies the rub. For his bout with Farmer, staged 11 months ago in Australia, Dib carried 129 ½ pounds. Now he will be competing as a welterweight.

“I don’t want to be facing a Keith Thurman, a Shawn Porter, an Errol Spence Jr or a Terence Crawford,” said Dib, conceding that the 2019 edition of Amir Khan isn’t on their level. “Those guys are so elite. (Khan) has been in really big fights and has been hurt on a number of occasions. I don’t think your chin gets any stronger as your career goes on.”

Khan (35-5, 20 KOs) was a big star in England before he left the amateur ranks. At the age of 17, he advanced to the finals of the Beijing Olympics where he lost a close decision to a Cuban widely regarded as the best amateur in the world. He went on to win the WBA 140-pound title and made five successful defenses. But since losing the title on a controversial decision to Lamont Peterson, his career has been choppy. Canelo Alvarez took him out with one punch which wasn’t entirely unexpected.

In his last fight, it wasn’t his chin that betrayed him but his groin. In the sixth round of his fight with Terence Crawford at Madison Square Garden, he took a punch on the cup, dictating a five-minute recess, during which his trainer Virgil Hunter decided there was no point in continuing.

Khan was vilified as a quitter on social media but that may have been a cheap shot. As noted by Gareth Davies of the Telegraph, Khan peed blood in his dressing room and was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

Undercard

In two undercard bouts of note, Hughie Fury will meet Samuel Peter in a 10-round heavyweight contest and Filipino southpaw Dave Penalosa will meet South Africa’s Lerato Dlamini in a featherweight match scheduled for 12 rounds.

The six-foot-six Fury, the cousin of Tyson Fury, isn’t known as a big puncher but has lost only twice in 24 starts, those coming at the hands of Joseph Parker and Kubrat Pulev. Samuel Peter, a former WBC title-holder who fought both Klitschko brothers, Wladimir twice, was once touted as the hardest-hitting heavyweight to come down the pike since Mike Tyson, but that was a long time ago.

Peter (38-7, 31 KOs) retired after getting TKOed by Robert Helenius in 2011, but returned to the ring 42 months later and has been treading water ever since. Three of his last four wins have come in Tijuana against opponents with losing records; the other in Oklahoma City against a 48-year-old man who weighed 301 pounds.

Peter scaled 261 ¼ for tomorrow’s fight, down from 286 ½ in his most recent assignment, but his stomach still hangs conspicuously over his shorts.

The winner of the Penalosa- Dlamini match will claim the WBC Silver title and will presumably be on track to add the Gold and Platinum belts.

Dlamini (12-1, 6 KOs) is undefeated since losing his pro debut. Penalosa (15-0, 11 KOs) is a third-generation prizefighter. His father Diosdado “Dodie Boy” Penalosa and his uncle Geronimo “Gerry” Penalosa were world title-holders. Dodie Boy was a champion at 108 and 112 pounds. Gerry, nine years younger, won his world title at 115.

Penalosa will have the crowd in his corner. Saudi Arabia has the largest population of Filipinos in Asia, an estimated 1.2 million in the workforce, the vast majority undocumented.

—-

Khan-Dib, Fury-Peter (and perhaps more) will air in the U.K. on Channel 5, a free TV network, and that’s appropriate as, to be blunt, this show is crap. But as for Jeddah someday rivaling New York, London, and Las Vegas as an epicenter of professional boxing, why that wouldn’t surprise us at all. Boxing promoters have always followed the money and the Saudi General Sports Authority, an arm of the staggeringly wealthy royal family, is apparently awash in money and keen to dole it out in big doses to stimulate Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry.

Amir Khan’s purse is reportedly $7 million, $4 million more than he earned for fighting Terence Crawford, and there’s already talk that he will return to Jeddah to take on Manny Pacquiao in what would be a far more lucrative payday.

Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel

To comment on this post in The Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Post Views: 0

Share The Sweet Science experience!

Arne K. Lang

Up Next

Showdown Saturday in Southern Cal – De La Hoya, Rios and More

Don't Miss

Sizing Up the Two Fascinating Heavyweight Contests in London This Weekend

Results from the Chumash Casino where Akhmedov Gave a GGG-like Performance

Published

5 hours ago

December 13, 2024

David A. Avila

Results-from-the-Chumash-Casino-where-Akhmedov-Gave-a-GGG-like-Performance

Shades of Triple G.

Kazakhstan has another middleweight killer as Sadriddin Akhmedov overran veteran Raphael Igbokwe to win by knockout on Friday evening.

“He’s a tough guy, but I’m a tough guy too,” said Akhmedov of his Texas foe.

Akhmedov (15-0, 13 KOs) excited the crowd at Chumash Casino with a strong performance against a gritty Igbokwe (17-6, 7 Kos). The Kazakh fighter has Gennady Golovkin’s old trainer Abel Sanchez at his side.

It was evident in the first round that Akhmedov wields power, but it was also evident that Igbokwe was not going to quit. Blow after blow was absorbed by the Texas-trained fighter and he continued to press forward.

Akhmedov telegraphed his overhand rights but fired quick and accurate left hooks. Igbokwe withstood the power for round after round.

At the end of the fifth round both fighters continued to fire punches after the bell rang. It angered the two middleweights.

Akhmedov must have still been angry when the sixth round began as he erupted with a 12-punch barrage. Several big blows connected and the Texas fighter was in trouble. Though Igbokwe escaped the first barrage he was unable to avoid the second and the fight was stopped by referee Rudy Barragan at 56 seconds of the sixth round.

The Kazakhstan fighter thanked his fan support and his new trainer Sanchez.

“Every morning at 7 a.m. he wants to kill me,” Akhmedov said of Sanchez.

Other Bouts

A battle between Olympians saw Carlos Balderas (15-2, 13 KOs) knock out Cesar Villarraga (11-11-1) in the sixth round for the win at super lightweight.

A one-two combination found the mark for Balderas at 56 seconds of the sixth round. Villarraga beat the count but once the fight resumed the referee stopped the fight after Balderas connected with another right.

“My coaches told me it was there,” said Balderas of the right cross that finished the fight.

Balderas fought for Team USA in the Olympics and Villarraga for Team Colombia.

Super welterweights Jorge Maravillo (10-0-1, 8 KOs) and Damoni Cato-Cain (8-1-2) fought to a split draw after eight back-and- forth rounds.

Cain-Cato sprinted ahead for the first three rounds behind subtle pressure and focusing on the body then the head against the taller Maravillo. Then, it stopped.

Maravillo stopped retreating and used his long stiff left jabs as a probe and counter punch and became the stalker instead of the prey. It turned the fight around. But Cain-Cato was reluctant to give up too much territory and fought through a damaged left eye to keep the match tight. After eight rounds one judge saw Maravillo the winner, another saw Cato-Cain, and a third saw it even for a split draw.

It was a fitting score.

Angel Carrillo (4-0-1) out-pointed Joshua Torres (0-2-2) with combination punching and in-and-out maneuvers to win by decision. Though 14 years younger, Carrillo wore a protector near his chest. Twice he placed it far above his belly button and was never warned.

Fidencio Hernandez (3-0) was the more polished fighter and used straighter punches and a tighter defense to shut out Laguna Beach’s Josaphat Navarro (1-3-1) and won by unanimous decision.

In her pro debut Perla Bazaldua (1-0) won by knockout over Mollie Backowski (0-4) in a super flyweight contest. Bazaldua fights out of Los Angeles and has long been touted as a one of that city’s best amateur prospects. Now she is a pro.

Photo credit: Lina Baker / 360 Promotions

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Post Views: 0

Share The Sweet Science experience!

Avila Perspective, Chap. 308: SoCal Rivals Rocha and Curiel Rumble and More

Published

17 hours ago

December 13, 2024

David A. Avila

Avila Perspective, Chap. 308: SoCal Rivals Rocha and Curiel Rumble and More

Decades ago, battles between regional warriors were as common as freeway traffic in Los Angeles during rush hour.

Bobby Chacon repped San Fernando Valley, Mando Ramos came from the docks of San Pedro, Danny “Little Red” Lopez lived in Alhambra and Ruben “Maravilla Kid” Navarro hailed from East L.A. And they rumbled repeatedly with each other.

The boxing sphere in California has grown much larger despite the closure of boxing palaces such as the Olympic Auditorium, Hollywood Legion Stadium, Great Western Forum, the L.A. Coliseum and Wrigley Field.

Those were classic venues.

Today in the 21^st century boxing continues to grow.

Golden Boy Promotions presents SoCal regional rivals Santa Ana’s Alexis Rocha (25-2, 16 KOs) facing Hollywood’s Raul Curiel (15-0,13 KOs) in a welterweight clash on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif. DAZN will stream the main card and YouTube.com the remainder.

Ontario is located in the Inland Empire known as the I.E.

Rocha, 27, has grown into a crowd favorite with a crowd-pleasing style developed by Orange County boxing trainer Hector Lopez. I remember his pro debut at Belasco Theater in downtown L.A. He obliterated his foe in three rounds and the small venue erupted with applause.

Wherever Rocha goes to fight, his fans follow.

“Anyone I face is trying to take food away from my family,” said Rocha.

Curiel, 29, has traveled a different road. As a former Mexican Olympian he took the slower road toward adapting to the professional style. Freddie Roach has refined the Mexican fighter’s style and so far, he remains unbeaten with a 10-fight knockout streak.

“I want to fight the best in the division,” said Curiel who is originally from Guadalajara.

Super welter hitters

Another top-notch fighter on the card is super welterweight Charles Conwell from Cleveland, Ohio. Conwell (20-0, 15 KOs) faces Argentina’s undefeated Gerardo Vergara (20-0, 13 KOs) in the co-main event.

Conwell may be the best kept secret in boxing and has been dominating foes for the past several years. He has solid defense, good power and is very strong for this weight class. Very Strong.

“I got to go out there and dominate,” said Conwell. “This is a fight that can lead me to a world championship fight.”

Golden Boy Promotions got lucky in picking up this fighter who could compete with any super welterweight out there. Anyone.

Vergara, 30, is another Argentine product and if you know anything about that South American country, they groom strong fighters with power. Think Marcos Maidana. This will be his first true test.

“I really hope he (Conwell) backs what he is saying,” said Vergara.

Marlen Esparza vs Arely Mucino

Former flyweight world titlists finally meet, but at super flyweight.

Olympic bronze medalist Marlen Esparza fights Mexico’s Arely Mucino in a fight that should have taken place years ago. Both are both coming off losses in title fights.

Esparza has the “fast hands” as she said and Mucino the “aggressive style” as she mentioned at the press conference on Thursday in Ontario.

It’s a 10-round affair and could mark the end for the loser.

Friday Night Fights

Undefeated middleweight Sadridden Akhmedov (14-0, 12 KOs) headlines a 360 Promotions and faces Raphael Igbokwe (17-5, 7 KOs) in the main event on Friday, Dec. 13, at Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif. UFC Fight Pass will stream the event.

Akhmedov hails from Kazakhstan and if you remember legendary Gennady “Triple G” Golovkin also hails from that region. Tom Loeffler the head of 360 Promotions worked with GGG too among other legends.

Is Akhmedov the real deal?

Former American Olympian Carlos Balderas (14-2) is also on the card and fights veteran Cesar Villarraga (11-10-1) who has been known to upset favorites in the past.

Fights to Watch

Fri. UFC Fight Pass 7 p.m. Sadridden Akhmedov (14-0) vs Raphael Igbokwe (17-5).

Sat. DAZN 10:30 a.m. Murodjon Akhmadaliev (12-1) vs Ricardo Espinoza (30-4).

Sat. DAZN 5 p.m. Alexis Rocha (25-2) vs Raul Curiel (15-0); Charles Conwell (20-0) vs Gerardo Vergara (20-0); Marlen Esparza (14-2) vs Arely Mucino (32-4-2).

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Post Views: 0

Share The Sweet Science experience!

Cardoso, Nunez, and Akitsugi Bring Home the Bacon in Plant City

Published

2 days ago

December 11, 2024

Arne K. Lang

Cardoso-Nunez-and-Agitsuki-Bring-Home-the-Bacon-in-Plant-City

Cardoso, Nunez, and Akitsugi Bring Home the Bacon in Plant City

The final ShoBox event of 2025 played out tonight at the company’s regular staging ground in Plant City, Florida. When the smoke cleared, the “A-side” fighters in the featured bouts were 3-0 in step-up fights vs. battle-tested veterans, two of whom were former world title challengers. However, the victors in none of the three fights, with the arguable exception of lanky bantamweight Katsuma Akitsugi, made any great gain in public esteem.

In the main event, a lightweight affair, Jonhatan Cardoso, a 25-year-old Brazilian, earned a hard-fought, 10-round unanimous decision over Los Mochis, Mexico southpaw Eduardo Ramirez. The decision would have been acceptable to most neutral observers if it had been deemed a draw, but the Brazilian won by scores of 97-93 and 96-94 twice.

Cardoso, now 18-1 (15), had the crowd in his corner., This was his fourth straight appearance in Plant City. Ramirez, disadvantaged by being the smaller man with a shorter reach, declined to 28-5-3.

Co-Feature

In a 10-round featherweight fight that had no indelible moments, Luis Reynaldo Nunez advanced to 20-0 (13) with a workmanlike 10-round unanimous decision over Mexico’s Leonardo Baez. The judges had it 99-91 and 98-92 twice.

Nunez, from the Dominican Republic, is an economical fighter who fights behind a tight guard. Reputedly 85-5 as an amateur, he is managed by Sampson Lewkowicz who handles David Benavidez among others and trained by Bob Santos. Baez (22-5) was returning to the ring after a two-year hiatus.

Also

In a contest slated for “10,” ever-improving bantamweight Katsuma Akitsugi improved to 12-0 (3 KOs) with a sixth-round stoppage of Filipino import Aston Palicte (28-7-1). Akitsugi caught Palicte against the ropes and unleashed a flurry of punches climaxed by a right hook. Palicte went down and was unable to beat the count. The official time was 1:07 of round six.

This was the third straight win by stoppage for Akitsugi, a 27-year-old southpaw who trains at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card gym in LA under Roach’s assistant Eddie Hernandez. Palicte, who had been out of the ring for 16 months, is a former two-time world title challenger at superflyweight (115).

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Post Views: 0

Share The Sweet Science experience!