Boxer Billy Dib gears up to break Aussie hoodoo

It's going to be a huge two months for Australian boxing, with Billy Dib and Daniel Geale out to win world titles.

Billy Dib says he’s ready to step up to Takashi Miura

Billy Dib says he’s ready to step up to Takashi Miura

(Transcript from World News Radio)

It's going to be a huge two months for Australian boxing, with Billy Dib and Daniel Geale out to win world titles.

Dib won't just be taking on a tough Japanese opponent, he's also out to end an Aussie curse.

Bence Hamerli has the details.

Billy "the Kid" Dib is ready to be the man again.

He wants another world title and it's one that represents pain for Australian boxing fans.

The WBC Superfeatherweight belt eluded Jeff Fenech in his bouts with Azumah Nelson, and Lionel Rose failed to capture it in 1971.

It's the very reason Dib called out the title holder Takashi Miura.

"We have had some history with this title, nothing that people actually want to remember, but hopefully May 1st I'm going to flip that around, and I'm going to bring the world title back home to Australia, and we're all going to enjoy it together."

Having fought around the world, Dib will travel to Japan for the first time next week for his bout against Miura.

He's not concerned about Miura's home crowd advantage, not phased by his impressive record.

"The Kid" has been giving opponents nightmares since he took up boxing as a 12 year old.

"The minute that I walked into a boxing gym I knew that it was my destiny, I knew I was going to be a world champion. You know at the age of thirteen I was writing on walls that I was going to be a future world champion, and I've already achieved that, everything from now on is what you call a bonus."

Proud of his Middle Eastern ancestry, Dib beams about being an Aussie.

He turned down an opportunity to represent Lebanon at the 2004 Olympics, he couldn't even contemplate taking on a boxer in green and gold.

"I also have a lot of respect for Lebanon and Palestine because that's where my family is from, but at the end of the day if you're not happy living in the country that you're living in you need to leave, and I'm very happy here and I'm very happy to represent to the highest level."

Daniel Geale is one of those fans wishing Dib all the best.

The Tasmanian is also trying to make it back to the top, and takes on Puerto Rican legend Miguel Cotto for the WBC middleweight title in June in Brooklyn, New York.

"There are some huge fights coming up and I wish Billy all the best. He's a good friend of mine. We've both got very tough fights against punchers and fighters, guys that are going to come forward, and try and knock our heads off, so we're going to have to use our skills and bring these titles home."

Two proud men, determined to add to their legacies, and bring more boxing glory back to Australia.

 

 


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3 min read

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By Bence Hamerli


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