Dylan Biggs has clearly become well-versed in handling southpaws by this point.
The once-beaten Australian middleweight rode a wave of momentum following an opening to dominate Montreal’s Derek Pomerleau over eight rounds. Scores were 79-72, 79-72, 79-72, 78-73 and 78-73 for Biggs in their 160lbs finale Saturday on DAZN from Boulevard City Global Theater in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“This was everything I dreamed of since I was a little kid,” Biggs told DAZN’s Claudia Trejos. “I still can’t wrap my head around it.”
Pomerleau represented the fifth left-handed fighter in as many tournament fights for Biggs, a strange pull though also an opportunity to showcase how far he’s advanced in his career. The lone pro defeat suffered by Biggs came two years at age 21 when he was stopped in the 5th round by unbeaten southpaw Nikita Tszyu.
Biggs could not have asked for a better start to Saturday’s finale. A left jab found its mark on an unsuspecting and off-balance Pomerleau, who lost his footing and fell to the canvas within the first 30 seconds of the contest. Pomerleau was nonchalant as he rose from the canvas and finished the round strong but was already down two points on the cards through one round.
Both boxers fought at a deliberate pace in the 2nd round. It worked to the benefit of Biggs, who was able to take his time and set up his offense.
Pomerleau shifted gears and fired off a pair of power shots to begin round three. Biggs remained committed to the jab, his primary weapon to this point in the fight. Pomerleau attempted to catch Biggs coming in and found success in the final minute. He connected with a body shot and right hook upstairs, but Biggs flurried to close out strong.
The round-ending surge preserved a clean sweep on four of the five scorecards (30-26 x4) for Biggs, who also led 29-27 on the remaining card through three rounds, per open scoring. He added to his lead by cleanly outworking Pomerleau throughout the 4th frame. Blood flowed from the nose of Pomerleau, who overcommitted on his power shots.
Time was called midway through the 5th when Pomerleau was cautioned for holding the back of Biggs’ head. The tactic did not sit well with Biggs, who briefly pushed off the Canadian before he regained his composure and landed a stream of jabs against a largely inactive Pomerleau.
A greater sense of urgency was offered by Pomerleau, who fired off straight lefts to start the 6th round. Biggs picked off most of the shots and handled the ones that got through. Biggs created planted his feet and drove home a left hook to the body, followed by a right hand upstairs. Pomerleau worked his way back inside and landed two uppercuts in the final 30 seconds.
Open scoring revealed that Biggs had the decision banked if he survived the final two rounds. He led 60-53, 59-54, 59-54, 59-54 and 58-55 through six, yet still chose to fight at close quarters at a point where his team knew that Pomerleau reached a point of desperation.
Pomerleau rattled off a series of power shots to start the 7th but momentum quickly shifted back in Biggs’ favor. Confident that he was the physically stronger fighter, Biggs stood his ground and connected with a left hook just as Pomerleau connected with a straight left. A clash of heads in the final minute dulled an otherwise spirited frame.
Biggs was urged to resist temptation and not brawl in the final round.
Pomerleau sought to test that theory as he charged forward in search of a knockout. Biggs listened to his corner’s urging to clinch during one exchange but resumed control and landed a combination upstairs. Pomerleau looked flat while Biggs bounced on his toes all the way to the finish line. Biggs landed one final body shot for good measure to close out his brilliant run.
“He was a hard style, there was nothing in sparring to prepare me for this,” Biggs said. “He’s an amazing competitor and I have nothing but respect for him.”
Pomerleau never fought outside of Canada nor faced any real adversity prior to the tournament. He showed hit mettle in a come-from-behind knockout in the Round of 16 and a majority decision win over Carlos Sinisterra in their October 19 semifinal clash. Saturday’s defeat was his first, though he at least claims a $50,000 prize for his second-place finish.
Meanwhile, Biggs heads back Down Under $100,000 richer and with and the Jose Sulaiman Trophy in tow. The rising middleweight will now also enter the WBC top 10 is assured a shot at its silver title in the coming year.
“Every round is the last round of my career,” stated Biggs. “I thought I put on a brilliant display but there is plenty more of me to come. Onto bigger and better things.”
