Any thoughts that Kiwi-based Colombian, Guillermo "Pantera" Mosquera (63.4kg), had of fighting Kostya Tyzu for the undisputed world light-welterweight title went out the window when he was stopped in the fourth round of a fight for the vacant world WBF junior-welterweight crown by Filipino, Dino "Diesel" Castenares (63.5kg), at Auckland's Unitec gym on Saturday, December 11th.
After being married to his fiancee in the ring earlier in the evening and making a colourful entrance into the arena in a hand held chariot, Pantera started the contest at a fast and furious pace, pelting the Filipino with both hands for the first three rounds. Towards the end of the third, Castenares smashed through a straight right onto Pantera's jaw, forcing the New Zealand junior welterweight champion back into the ropes. Pantera seemed to age in front of our eyes like a scene from a "Dr Jeykell and Mr Hyde" movie.
Dino opened up the fourth round with a furious onslaught to the ribs, decking the South American with a left rip to the liver. As referee, Ignatius Missailidis, started counting Mosquera indicated to him that he would not be continuing much to the joy of Castenares' corner.
In the main support, Fijian Joy Ali (68.7kg) took just 45s of round one to knock out local David Rawiri Wiremu (65.7kg) to win the vacant OBA junior middleweight title. Ali landed a straight left followed by a right uppercut to floor Wiremu. The Maori boxer stood up, took a step forward and fell down. Referee Reginald Leca immediately stopped the bout.
On the undercard, entertaining American Chauncey Welliver (117.3kg) outpointed Bob Gasio (98.7kg) over four rounds while Frank Atu (100.9kg) decisioned Lava Savelino (99.6kg) also over four.
In the opening bout, Alessandro Lozzi (58.7kg) stopped former NZ champion, Peter Warren (54.2kg) with a left hook to the body in the second round.
Amateurs made up the first half.
It was good to see WFA officials in attendance which included former TV Ringside middleweight Mick Croucher, former world class featherweight and ex-manager of Silvers nightclub in Toorak, Johnny Wheeler. Last but not least, Jack Rennie, former trainer of Lionel Rose and my old workmate Tommy Wells.
CRUSE IN DRAMATIC WIN
The Auckland Boxing Association kicked the New Zealand 2005 season off with one of the most dramatic slugfests ever held at their Eden Terrace stadium on January 27th.
Oft-beaten Kalolo Cruse (77.2kg), who came in as a last-minute substitute for Willie O'Neill, turned in an action-packed bout with Tongan importation, Tyson Ofisa (79kg).
Ofisa came out in the first round in a style similar to past Tongan imports, Johnny Halafihi and Kitione Lave, with a sustained two-handed attack and appeared to have Cruse out on his feet when he copped a terrific rip to the body and went down.
He survived the count and started the second round in the same fashion, belting Cruse from pillar to post only to run into the same punch that decked him in the first round.
Again he survived and in the third the combatants went head to head trading thunderous punches. Then in the fourth round Cruse finished Ofisa off with a left hook that almost somersaulted him.
This was Cruse's first win as a pro. He had stopped Soulan Pownceby and Rafael Tai as an amateur but seemed to be out of his depth in the paid ranks.
In the penultimate contest experienced USA heavyweight Chauncy Welliver (119kg) won a close decision over Oscar Talemira (108.1kg) in a four-rounder. The Fijian-born Talemira gave the Yank his best fight since he arrived in NZ.
The crowd was divided in its reaction to this bout. While many loved Chauncy's fancy moves and showboating, a section of the crowd definitely hated it.
In another four-rounder Rawiri Wiremu (64.3kg) beat Iona Tana Puna (67.3kg) in a skilful contest on a split decision although most in the crowd thought he'd won clearly.
In two entertaining semi-pro fights, Paulie Lakai (116.6kg) outpointed Tavita Vika (115.4kg) and Shane Korou (78.8) did likewise to Maka Sapoulu (74.5kg).
In the only amateur contest (and ironically the best fight of the undercard) Jerome Smith (ABA Focus) outpointed brave Sean Kelly (Papatoetoe) over three rounds at middleweight.
