Aussie Boxing Update!

October 19, 2006

By Ray Wheatley

World rated New Zealand heavyweight Shane Cameron (16-0) will clash with 6 foot 3 inch, 270 pound South African Osborne " Big Daddy" Machimana (11-4-1) over twelve rounds in Christchurch, New Zealand on November 24 with the Kiwi's IBF Pan Pacific title up for grabs. IBF#14 Cameron is a former sparring partner of David Tua and in July scored a sensational tenth round stoppage of Roger Izonritei ( brother of David Izon) in one of the best heavyweight bouts seen in New Zealand for several years. 6 foot 1 inch Cameron worked as a Mike Tyson sparring partner during 2005 for the McBride fight. He is promoted in the USA by Gary Shaw. Ken Reinsfield, who is the manager of Cameron, will promote the Cameron vs Machimana title bout.

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Former Irish amateur champion Dean Byrne (3-0) will clash with hard punching Rolando Gerongco (13-19-1) of the Philippines in a New South Wales junior welterweight title bout over eight rounds at the Roundhouse at the Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia on Saturday. Formerly of Ireland, Byrne is now based in Sydney under the guidance of Johnny Lewis who currently trains the world IBF super featherweight champion Gairy St Clair.

Byrne has been sparring former WBA super middleweight champion Anthony Mundine to get himself in great shape for Saturday's fight. Byrne's three wins as a professional have been against tough Robert Oyan of the Philippines who scored a sensational knockout over former Australian Champion Mick Shaw in his most recent fight. Oyan dropped a ten round decision to world rated super featherweight Bobby Pacquiao ( brother of Manny) in 2003. Gerongco scored a fifth round knockout over former Australian 140 pound champion Mathew Paulley last week.

In the main supporting bout heavyweight prospect Bowie Tupou (7-0) will meet Alex Mena(2-3) of New Zealand. Tupou is trained by Johnny Lewis who predicts international recognition from the 6 foot 2 inch 250 pounder. Mena was stopped by former Rugby League star John Hopate recently. Former Australian amateur lightweight star Ruben Kennedy (NSW) meets Roberto Oyan ( Philippines) over six rounds and cruiserweight Jamie Withers (NSW) will punch it out with Jason Larson (Queensland). Promoter is the former 140 pounder Jimmy Reynolds who was a regular sparring partner of Kostya Tszyu and also defeated many of the best Australian junior welterweights. He made his professional debut in England and finished with ten wins with only two losses.

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Former 1950's Australian middleweight contender Don 'Bronco' Johnson died on Tuesday at the age of 78. Johnson earned a reputation throughout Australia for his wild fighting style, his courageous rodeo riding and his Errol Flynn moustache. In the 1950s and 1960s he led a traveling 10-man boxing and rodeo troupe, taking on all challengers. Former world middleweight contender Tiberio Mitri of Italy (who scored a knockout in round one over Randy Turpin in 1954) had too many guns for Johnson and outpointed him over twelve rounds in 1956. Johnson also lost to Aussie great Tommy Burns by knockout in five rounds but defeated Alfie Sands, Pran Mikus, Ricardo Markus and Carlo Marchini. Johnson scored 28 wins with sixteen losses and two draws. He will be sadly missed by the Australian boxing fraternity.