By Carlos Boogs
Former IBF featherweight world champion Billy Dib got a much needed emotional eight round unanimous decision win over Thailand’s Sukkasem Kietyongyuth (13-5, 8KO) on Friday night at the Emporium Function centre in Bankstown.
It was Dib's first bout in nine months, and the first since the tragic passing of his wife Sara to cancer last September. The scores were 79-73, 79-72 79-72 and the boxer improved his record to 40-4 (23KO).
Dib worked the jab and landed the better punches all fight. Kietyongyuth came forward, but wasn't landing accurate punches and was wild with his combinations, which allowed Dib to land good counters to the head and body. Kietyongyuth tackled Dib down to the mat several times in the fight and used a lot of roughhouse tactics during the contest. He was eventually penalized a point in the eight round.
“2015 was one of those years you don’t want to remember … it was sad, but you guys helped me put something behind me that has been bothering me,” Dib told the supportive crowd.
Also as part of the card, Dib’s younger brother Youssef picked up a second round knockout victory over Sunsun Sangpet. The younger Dib raised his record to 3-0.
