BTK – aka’ Billy ‘The Kid’ Dib is back and proudly announcing his next fight against current WBC World Youth and IBF Pan-Pacific Youth champion Davey Browne to be held at ‘The Cube’ Campbelltown Catholic Club on March 11, 2009.
Billy, fresh from his spiritual journey ‘Hajj’ to Mecca at the end of 2008, is back, re-focused and reenergised on his way to the top of the Featherweight standings.
Working under the guidance of new BTK team member and renowned trainer – Billy Hussein who will work alongside the immortal Johnny Lewis in Dib’s corner, no stone is being left unturned in climbing the world rankings once again and it all starts once again on March 11th against the up-and-coming Browne who boasts a 15 win / 1 draw, and no loss record in what should be a super bout.
Dib, at 23 years of age acknowledges the set-back in Atlantic City as a ‘life lesson’ and sees more pro’s, than cons in the defeat.
Dib commented –
“I learnt more in my one loss than my twenty victories or my World-Championship title, and I could see the areas of improvement required and to me, this is a positive step for my career and life.”
“You have to question yourself, be it in boxing or any aspect of your life to continually improve and both the loss to Luevano and my trip to ‘Mecca’ allowed me to not only question myself, but also answer which is the real positive.”
“Billy Hussein has joined my team also, and now with Billy and Johnny in my corner, my training is so much more sharper, more quality with my work and more importantly to another level. Obviously the plan is for this to transpose into the ring and I know when I step back in against Davey Browne on March 11, his chin will see the benefits”.
“I have a great support team, some fantastic sponsors, coupled with new sponsors looking to come on board, so I’m really happy and confident for a great 2009 and beyond. I want my World-Title back and this is just the first stepping-stone towards it”.
Dib, a phenomenal talent for one so young was the IBO Super-Featherweight champion at only 22 years of age and boasts a record of 22 bouts for 21 wins, and only 1 loss with 11 of those victories by knockout.
Billy’s only loss was when challenging for a second world-title at Featherweight to American Steven Luevano in Atlantic City in October, 2008.
The WBC World Youth and IBF Pan-Pacific Youth Titles are for boxers under 24yrs of age and carry significant presence with the governing bodies, hence a real plus to rankings position and future bouts. Already Billy is receiving interest from various Promoters in the US for bouts against current IBF and WBC champions respectively – Cristobel Cruz and Oscar Larios being mooted, as well as a possible re-entry to the Super-Featherweight ranks later on with the likes of WBO champion – Nicky Cook from the UK.
Walsh to defend title against Haughian
Irish Welterweight Champion, Billy Walsh wants it known that he’s not ducking Stephen Haughian – and to prove it he’s coming to what is effectively Haughian’s back yard next month to defend his title against the Lurgan man.
The two will clash at the Craigavon Leisure Centre on Saturday, February 7th and the undefeated Walsh is planning on keeping his title and keeping his perfect record intact. Promoter Brian Peters had thrown down the gauntlet to Walsh by accusing the Corkman of ducking Haughian but Walsh says he’s more than happy to step up to the plate.
“I had been in training for a non title fight in Youghal which was supposed to have taken place this Friday night but that fell through and then the offer to fight Haughian came along again,” explained Walsh. “I haven’t fought in almost a year since I won the title and I want to stay busy now.”
The former amateur star won the Irish title after a thrilling battle with Belfast’s James Gorman on Leeside last January but he has yet to defend the belt. “To win the Irish title was a dream come true and to do it in Cork was extra special,” said Walsh. “The atmosphere was great and I’m sure it will be just as good in Craigavon. I know it will be a pretty much a home fight for Stephen but I’ll have quite a few of my own fans there as well.”
Walsh got off to the best possible start in his title fight with Gorman but the Belfast man came back strongly in the later rounds before Walsh ran out the winner on a close points decision. “It was a real crowd pleasing fight,” recalled Walsh. “I’ve watched it back on DVD and I suppose my defence could have been better at times but that’s what made it so exciting. I’m not afraid to take a few punches as long as I can do a bit of damage myself, I have a good chin.
“I was very weight drained for that fight, even though it was for the welterweight title we had an agreement that we’d both come in well under the weight to suit James but I overdid it and was far too light. I was only a pound over light welter and it really took it’s toll in the last round or two. I was completely drained but I knew that I had started strong and won all the early rounds so it was just a case of gritting my teeth until the final bell.
“This time around I’ll be bang on the weight, welterweight is really my natural weight. Of course I have to work hard to make it but I feel very strong so I think that will make a big difference this time.”
Walsh knows all about Haughian and although he’s confident of retaining his title he admits it won’t be easy. “I saw Stephen box when he fought on my undercard in Cork a couple of years ago and I’ve seen him box on TV a few times since. He’s a nice boxer and a very nice lad but I’ll be putting that aside when the bell goes for the first round.
“I think a win over Stephen would raise my profile and hopefully lead to a big opportunity for me. It’s been frustrating to have been out of the ring for so long but hopefully this will be the start of a good 2009 for me.”
The bout headlines a top quality undercard which features former World title challenger and British Champion, Neil Sinclair as the Belfast puncher looks to build towards another title challenge.
Two weight Irish champ, Andy Murray from Cavan will also step between the ropes in Craigavon. Having just signed a managerial contract with Brian Peters the undefeated Murray is looking forward to a big 2009.
Another man hoping for a big year is Belfast’s Kevin “Sweet Pea” O’Hara. By his own admission O’Hara’s career has yet to live up to expectations but with 14 wins from his 18 starts “Sweet Pea” knows that he has solid foundations to launch a fresh bid for titles in 2009.
Michael Kelly is another man desperate for titles. Currently undefeated in 6 pro fights the Dundalk man has been out of the ring for almost 3 years but the former World Military champ says he’s hungrier than ever and wants to emulate the pro success of former amateur rival, Paul McCloskey.
Rounding out the card is popular Omagh prospect, Damian Taggart. The Tyrone man has been mentored by the county’s All Ireland winning football manager, Mickey Harte since turning pro just over a year ago and he’s hoping 2009 will be a massive year in his fledgling pro career.
WAYNE BLOY insists he will not under-estimate Stoke hero Chris Edwards when they clash for the vacant British and Commonwealth flyweight title next week
Grimsby's Bloy (5-3) faces the Potteries puncher at Fenton Manor, Stoke on Friday 23rd January in what promises to be a classic domestic battle.
Edwards (11-13-3) boasts a patch record of just 11 wins, 13 losses and three draws, but Bloy's trainer Stuart Fleet said: "Edwards has improved massively.
"His record is deceiving because he lost a few of his early fights, but he has lost just once in two-and-a-half years and that is at championship level.
"We are not under-estimating Edwards, but this is the type of opportunity that Wayne has been waiting for.
"Wayne has effectively been in camp for months and this is the best he has ever been."
In the chief support Manchester knockout artist Mark Thompson (18-1) boxes Ghanaian Philip Kotey (19-4) in a final eliminator for Craig Watson's Commonwealth welterweight championship.
Another great fight on the bill sees the show's co-promoter Scott Lawton (25-4-1) make the first defence of his English lightweight title against Salisbury's Henry Castle (19-4).
Tickets for 'Stoking the Fire' are priced £35 and £70. They can be obtained from www.frankmaloney..com or 0871 226 1508
