Boxing News magazine Download PDF 5.10.1973

Boxing news 1973archives BUGNER BOOEDSTERLING EAGER FOR BOUTTIER SHOWDOWNWatt should be too goodMcALINDEN MUST DO A CONVINCING JOB

JOE BIJGNER left the Albert Hall ring to the notunfamiliar
sound of booing after a convincing but
hardly inspiring 15 rounds points win over Bepi Ros,
of Italy, to retain his European heavyweight title.

VERNON SOLLAS, Edinburgh (8-12), had plenty of trouble in
outpointing Bashew Sibaca, South Africa (8-13), over eight
rounds in the best of the Albert Hall supporting fights.
Referee Roland Dakin marked Sollas the winner by 79-78, a fair
assessment. But Vernon seemed to fade after a bright start and
came under considerable pressure in the last round.

I THINK we should have been less inclined to criticise Danny McAlinden over
his recent refusal to fight Tim Wood, if he had done something to justify the
title he took from Jack Bodell in that never - to - be - forgotten "come dancing"
exhibition in June 1972.

KIRKWOOD ROLLE — due to meet John Conteh for the commonwealth
light-heavyweight title at Nottingham Ice Rink on
October 23 — is no baby — despite his nickname, " Baby Boy."

CARLOS MONZON, the Iron Man from Argentina,
is still middleweight champion of the world. He
powered his way to a clear 15-round decision over
French challenger Jean-Claude Bouttier, at the
Roland Garros Tennis Stadium, putting the verdict
beyond doubt by flooring his opponent in each of
the final three rounds.
Sibaca, who won his British debut at Solihull last month,
pressed forward most of the fight and made a very good recovery
after being floored in the third.
Sollas boxed superbly in this round, making Sibaca miss and
ripping in counters.
Two rights to the chin in rapid succession had Sibaca
wobbling. Sollas punched away with both hands before steadying
himself to bang in another solid right hand and Sibaca went
down for a count of eight.
But in the fourth and fifth, Sollas seemed to lose a little of his
authority. The gritty Sibaca began coming into the fight in the
sixth, throwing punches from both hands, and he kept doggedly
forcing the fight in the seventh.
Sollas tried to put in a last-round spurt but Sibaca not only
stayed with him but even outfought the young Scot. Sibaca
threw everything he had at Sollas and Vernon, cut and swollen
under the right, looked tired and distressed.
The decision met with a certain amount of booing, but while
Sibaca put up a fine battle there was no doubt that Sollas
deserved the verdict.