The Gold Coast P4P Top 10
Test reject saves Bulls’ blushes
BOXING almost came to a complete shutdown in 2020 due to COVID, but started to find its feet again towards the end of the year. And as erratic border restrictions slowly lift, at least at a national level, the promoters are falling over themselves to get programs locked in. The Gold Coast and Tweed region punches well above its weight as a producer and training centre for a host of world, Australian and Queensland rated champions and 2021 will be a big year. Boxing weight division rankings are always a spark for debate, but it’s nothing compared to when the discussion shifts to the pound-forpound rankings – basically who are the top boxers regardless of weight. TIM BRIMBLECOMBE sharpens the pencil and drops the first and thereby official Gold Coast Pound 4 Pound Top 10.
1 ANDREW MOLONEY
Trainer: Angelo Hyder/ Tony Nobbs (Chinderah) Super Flyweight
21 (14ko) wins, 1 loss, 0 draw Orthodox
Ranking: 8 Ring Magazine, 5 WBC, 2 WBA
Andrew was at the centre of 2020’s biggest boxing controversy after the ridiculous draw decision in his rematch against
Texan Joshua Franco in Las Vegas in November for the World super flyweight title. Moloney, 29, should have been declared the winner when the referee stopped the fight because of damage to one of Franco’s eyes, but instead it was declared a draw much to bemusement of everyone apart from officials and the Franco team. Even Dame Helen Mirren joined the celebrity pile-on of the bizarre decision. Joshua won their earlier bout by UD in June, but Moloney was doing more than enough to be declared the winner in the rematch. While lawyers battle it out with the tone-deaf Nevada State Athletic Commission to reverse the decision, Moloney remains supremely confident of completing the job, hopefully in Australia, after the WBA demanded an immediate rematch.
Next fight: Joshua Franco, most probably May.
2 JASON MOLONEY
Trainer: Angelo Hyder/ Tony Nobbs (Chinderah) Bantamweight
21 (18ko), 2 (1ko), 0 Orthodox
Ranked: 7 Ring Magazine, 7 WBC, 9 WBA 12 IBF Andrew’s twin brother Jason took on one of the biggest challenges in world boxing when he fought Japanese powerhouse
Naoya Inoue for the WBA bantamweight title in October. Inoue is regarded as one of the top three pound for pound fighters in the world scoring knockouts in 16 of this previous 19 fights and Jason survived seven rounds before the fight was stopped. Earlier in June he defeated Leonardo Baez in Las Vegas to earn his world title shot against Inoue. World ranked in three organisations, there is not much on the domestic scene so Jason is likely to again look at international opponents as he rebuilds his bid for a world title, possibly against WBA champion John Riel Casimero from the Philippines.
Next Fight: TBA, most probably May.
3 JACOB NG Trainer: Stephen Ng
(Matrix) Lightweight
14 (11ko), 0, 0 Orthodox
Rank: 9 IBF, 10
WBO
The pink-boa wearing, dancing juggernaut put a scare through his fans when he was almost cartwheeled into the canvas by a Hunter Ioane right in the first round of their bout in November. But the man known as The Flamingo, bounced back just as quickly to see out the round, put Ioane on the deck in the second and end the bout in the fifth. It was a spectacular bout and rightly judged the Australian Fight of the Year. Ng’s fights are always spectacular, from his dance walkout to his penchant for knockdowns – both his but mostly his opponents. He currently holds the
International Boxing Federation International Lightweight and World Boxing Organisation Oriental Lightweight titles and is world ranked by two organisations. He potentially has one more fight in front of home crowds before looking overseas. Next fight: March 27, versus Blake Minto, Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane.
4 BRUNO TARIMO
Trainer: Angelo Hyder/Tony Nobbs (Chinderah)
Super Featherweight 25 (5ko), 2, 2 Orthodox
Rank: 10 (super featherweight) IBF, 10 (super bantamweight) WBA
The 25-year-old has not seen his family in almost three years since moving to Australia to chase his world title dream plus attain a distinguished athlete visa and permanent residency so his family can join him. He’s ticking all the boxes but had a small setback when his fight against undefeated former Olympian Paul Fleming in Sydney in December was judged a draw as a result of an accidental head knock. Tarimo was ahead on points in the fight, which was the co-feature of the Tim Tszyu versus Bowyn Morgan card.
Next fight: Most probably March 31 as part of the undercard of the Tim Tszyu v Dennis Hogan undercard.
5 DEMSEY MCKEAN
Trainer: Stephen Ng (Matrix) Heavyweight
18 (12ko), 0, 0 Southpaw
Ranking: 13 IBF, 13 WBO
No other boxer in Australia has had more false starts than the 198cm giant with multiple opponents withdrawing from scheduled bouts. And he doesn’t deserve it. McKean has not fought since March, 2020 and has had a series of cancelled fights since then. There was a bout on the Tim Tszyu undercard in December when his opponent withdrew citing poor preparation while the big-promising Lucas Bowne is proving more elusive than The Phantom despite pleading twice for a fight with McKean only to withdraw. McKean was scheduled to fight Kiwi Kiki Toa-Leautele on March 27 but that too was cancelled and he again finds himself chasing an opponent. An interesting match-up ahead for a potential opponent for McKean is the bout between Kiwi heavyweights Joseph Parker and Junior Fa in Auckland on February 27 Next fight:
March 27? 6 BILLEL DIB Trainer:
Billy Hussein (Sydney)
Super Featherweight 24 (1ko), 3, 0 Orthodox
Ranking: 15 WBA
The Gold Coast accountant has not fought since September 14,
2019, when he defeated Carlo Magali for the World Boxing Association Oceania Super Featherweight title, but has started a training camp in Sydney. Dib has his own accountancy firm and is able to travel to Sydney for camp with trainer Billy Hussein. Dib was firmly in the WBA top 10 at the start of 2020, so needs to get in the ring to maintain his rankings but also needs a fight late March or early April as Ramadan then shuts the fight window for another month. He and Brisbane’s Liam Wilson have already opened proceedings on social media so the logical step is to take it to the ring. Next fight: April 9 versus opponent TBA, Entertainment Centre, Hurstville.
7 ROHAN MURDOCK Super Middleweight 24 (17ko), 2(1ko), 0 Orthodox
The former world rated contender is another victim of inactivity. The former staple of the world rankings did not fight in 2019 and there have been few opportunities to recover after a TKO loss to Brit Zach Parker in Manchester on March 7 last year for the vacant World Boxing Organisation InterContinental Super Middleweight Title. It was only Murdock’s second loss in 26 bouts and his first since 2011. Next fight: TBA
8 BEN MAHONEY
Super welterweight 10 (6ko), 0, 0 Orthodox
On the night Olympic hopeful Justis Huni made a spectacular heavyweight debut in Brisbane last October, Mahoney has been just as explosive, breaking the jaw of Ben Hussain 19 seconds into the first round of their bout. Much of the focus post-fight around Hussain’s corner failing to stop the fight was a distraction from Mahoney’s performance that has confirmed his status as one to be reckoned with in the Australian super welterweight ranks. The former MMA fighter moved to 10 and 0 with six knockouts and is ranked No.4 by the Australian National Boxing Federation after just two years of professional boxing. A prodigious trainer, Mahoney is poised for a breakout year in 2021.
Next fight: April 10 versus Kris George at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.
9 TYSINN BEST
Trainer: Stephen Ng (Matrix) Welterweght
12 (3ko), 2 (1ko), 0 Orthodox
The former Australian welterweight champion lost his title to Brisbane’s Ben
Kite in September and has not fought since. Best knocked Kite down early but the Gold Coat fighter couldn’t capitalise and was outboxed by Kite for a unanimous loss. Next fight: Unlikely to be until midyear
10 iJOSH iFREDERIKSEN
Trainer: Angelo Hyder/Tony Nobbs (Chinderah) Super Middleweight 9 (7ko), 2, 2 Orthodox Having not fought since 2018 the former Australian light heavyweight champion had a busy end to 2020 fighting twice, in October and December, for a win and a loss. He is currently ranked No.13 super middleweight in Australia.
Next fight: TBA
HONOURABLE MENTION CASEY CASWELL
Trainer: Stephen Ng (Matrix) Cruiserweight 6 (4ko), 0, 0 Orthodox
LIAM CALLANAN
Trainer: Angelo Hyder/Tony Nobbs (Chinderah) Cruiserweight
10 (2ko), 0, 0 Orthodox It’s difficult to split these two. Caswell sits 13 in the national cruiserweight rankings, while Callanan is 15. Both are undefeated with unanimous victories to see out 2020. Maybe they should have a fight.
Next fight: Caswell, March 5 versus Lomi Tusi for the Queensland Cruiserweight Title at Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane.
Callanan, March 12 opponent TBA, Gold Coast Croatian Sports Centre, Carrara
A MASTERFUL century by rejected Test opener Joe Burns saved Queensland from a Tiger mauling in their Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at Blundstone Arena and sent a potent message to Australian selectors.
Burns, 31, hit a stylish 171 and anchored an innings that threatened to flop after the departure of Test hero Marnus Labuschagne and a middle order misfire.
As the Tigers moved in for the kill, driven by unlikely destroyer Beau Webster, Burns was the single-handed saviour.
The Bulls lost Usman Khawaja, Matthew Renshaw, Jimmy Peirson, Jack Wildermuth and Mark Steketee for a combined contribution of five as part of a 6-37 middle order muck-up.
Without paceman Xavier Bartlett (25 runs off 79 deliveries) holding up his end, Burns would have run out of partners to post triple figures.
Queensland finished with 275 – 57 runs short of Tasmania’s first innings.
“It’s always nice when you get 100,” Burns said.
“Given the situation of the game, to put on a few runs with the tail as well to get us closer to the Tassie score means the game is still in the balance going into the next two days.
“Our score is below par for the expectations of our batting group. The middle session didn’t go to plan but the way the tail hung around – 170 behind at tea and to get that down to 57 – means we are still in the contest.”
Tasmania resumed 7-293 with Caleb Jewell unbeaten on 131, but the Tigers did not survive the first hour on day two.
Jewell’s maiden Shield century ended when he was clean bowled by Brendan Doggett for 140, and the Tigers were out for 332 off 101.1 overs.
Webster was Tasmania’s fourth seam bowler and was an instant hit.
He outshone the usual suspects by taking a career-best 4-50 off 15.4 overs.
IT IS the game that announced Jamal Fogarty to the Gold Coast Titans and catapulted the former Burleigh halfback into the NRL.
Now as the 2019 Intrust Super Cup best and fairest winner prepares to run out for the Indigenous All Stars in Townsville on Friday night, capping an incredible rise from state league footy to the NRL, his Bears replacement is readying to walk the same path.
Guy Hamilton will start in the seven for Burleigh in the
annual pre-season trial against the Gold Coast Titans at Pizzey Park on Friday, 12 months on from Fogarty’s masterclass which ultimately landed him an NRL contract.
“Guy Hamilton will attempt to replace Jamal at halfback; replace the irreplaceable you could say,” Burleigh coach Rick Stone said.
“Guy has fit in with the boys nicely. Let’s see if we can kick him off on the right foot (against the Titans).”
Hamilton is a known commodity to Stone and the Gold Coast league community, after the former Souths
Logan half steered Runaway Bay to the Rugby League Gold Coast A-Grade premiership last season at the expense of Burleigh in a classic grand final.
Now returned to Cup football and starting for the 2019 Intrust Super Cup champions against an inexperienced yet quality Titans outfit, Hamilton will be one Bears player to keep an eye on.
Another is returning flyer Troy Leo, who will mark his first game back for the Bears since he went down with a knee injury against the Sunshine Coast Falcons in August
2019. Leo led the Intrust Super Cup with 22 tries in as many games prior to the injury, which kept him out of the Bears’ grand final run.
“Troy’s comeback is a terrific story. He looks fit, strong and fast,” Stone said. “He didn’t play at all in 2020, but is looking to bounce back and regain the form that made him one of the most potent finishers in the Intrust Super Cup.”
Another player Stone knows quite well is Jayden Campbell, son of Titans great Preston Campbell, who will line up at fullback for Gold Coast on Friday night.
Campbell played a handful of games for Burleigh in the RLGC last season, in a team Stone helped coach. The Campbell-Kurtis Rowe match-up is one the Bears coach believes will be worth the price of admission alone.
“Kurtis Rowe is a tried and true performer at Cup level, and we all know what Jayden can do,” Stone said.
“He’s a terrific talent and getting a crack at that number one jumper this weekend. It will be interesting to see how he goes after watching him first-hand in the local comp last year.”
THE Broncos have put out the welcome mat for Cameron Smith, with Brisbane emerging as the shock last resort for the Queensland legend after the Titans publicly pulled out of the race for the 37-year-old.
The Bulletin can reveal the Broncos have not ruled out the prospect of signing Smith and have the salary cap space available to pull off a remarkable coup.
Nearly four months after Melbourne’s 2020 NRL premiership triumph, Smith is yet to announce his future plans, fuelling speculation he could extend his record-breaking 430-game career.
The Titans were heavily linked to Smith given his family has relocated to the Gold Coast. But they withdrew from the race on Thursday, with culture chief Mal Meninga admitting “he won’t be at the Titans”.
Smith, 37, will not be returning to Melbourne, leaving the Broncos as his only option if he decides to play on into a record 20th NRL season.
The Broncos have more than $500,000 available in their 2021 salary cap following the release of hooker Andrew McCullough to the Dragons.
That would be enough to sign Smith, a $1m-a-season player, if he joins the club in March or April, given nearly half of the NRL’s contracting year will have elapsed.
Broncos chairman Karl Morris said he would send a limousine to pick up Smith if he wanted to play for Brisbane.
“Look, who wouldn’t want Cam Smith, he is a legend of the game,” he said.
“But I can honestly say I haven’t spoken to him and I don’t know anyone at the Broncos who has spoken to him.
“The ball is in his court. If Cam called any club tomorrow and said he wanted to play for them, including the Broncos, you would send a limousine to his house. But we haven’t had any talks so we haven’t had any plans to sign him.”
Smith famously chose Melbourne over the Broncos as a kid, rejecting Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett’s advances to forge the NRL’s greatest ever career at the Storm.