Ogedengbe still unbeaten

By Ray Wheatley — World of Boxing
Photos: Warren Suen

Unbeaten English-born and Australian-based cruiserweight Paul Ogedengbe (6-0, 5 KOs) outscored Isileli Fa (2-5) in the main event at North Sydney Leagues Club, Sydney, NSW, Australia on Saturday. The powerfully built, 6’3 Ogedengbe controlled the contest as he had the 5’9 Fa on the back move and on the defensive as he connected with accurate combinations. Fa caught the aggressive Ogendengbe with right hands and left hooks to the head in round five that had the Englishman on unsteady legs at the bell. Scores were 49-45, 48-47, 48-48.

Fa was coming off a win over the highly regarded James Langton in April and had also taken 2012 London Olympian Jai Opetaia the distance. Ogedengbe is now trained by Rodney Williams who also trains former WBA title challenger Lucas Browne and British great Nigel Benn.

Also Irish-born and Australian-based middleweight Joe Rea (11-29-5, 4 KOs) edged Chinese-born and Australian-based Yong Zhang (5-5-1, 1 KO) over four rounds. Rea suffered a cut eye in round one due to a head clash that was ruled OK to continue by ringside doctor Alan Saunders. Scores were 39-37, 37-39, 39-37.

Rea has boxed world rated Martin Murray, Dominic Britsch, Eamon O’Kane and Patrick Nielsen. Zhang is trained by two-time world title challenger Arnel Barotillio who also battled the great Manny Pacquiao in 2000. Cruiserweight Simon Maait clearly outscored Luke Rodgers over four rounds. Maait is a national Muay Thai champion who outworked the rangy southpaw Rodgers to win by scores of 40-36, 39-37, 40-36.

In other action, lightweights Cameron Glass and Michael Whitehead boxed a draw over four action rounds. Scores 38-38, 38-38, 37-39.

Promoter: Astrid Van Der Sluys