Team MacKenzie on Asis loss: “A rematch would be our first option”

 
A fight of the year candidate took place in front of an enthusiastic local crowd at Wests New Lambton last Saturday night in Newcastle.

 
Contrary to everyone’s beliefs, Filipino livewire Jack Asis scored a career-best win and a major upset, stopping previously unbeaten prospect Kye MacKenzie in eight rounds to lift the vacant IBO super featherweight title.

 
In the wake of their unlikely defeat, MacKenzie’s team, lead by head trainer Lincoln Hudson from the Ultimate Training Centre in St Marys, spoke to Aus-Boxing about his thoughts on the fight and the desire from MacKenzie’s camp for an immediate rematch.

 
“After a huge night at the office it’s very easy to have a knee jerk response,” said Hudson in an exclusive interview with Aus-Boxing. “The fight was a dead set genuine world title bout,”

 
“Both fighters came to fight and the sad part was that it was not on television,”

 
“Most of the crowd’s response was that it was the best fight seen in this country for a very long time. I was even told by some that it was the best world title fight ever seen in Australia,”

 
In the midst of a ten-fight knockout streak, that included impressive wins over Waylon Law, Matt Garlett and former world title challenger Clive Atwell, it was easy to see why MacKenzie (now 14-1, 12 KOs) was an overwhelming favourite.

 
The Indigenous product started fast, taking what appeared to be a solid lead into the second half of the fight.

 
However, in truly remarkable circumstances, Asis (now 33-18-5, 18 KOs) stormed home – finishing a tiring MacKenzie with an onslaught of slows – leaving referee Gary Dean with no choice but to wave the contest.

 
“Look, analysing the fight is pretty easy,” Hudson explained. “After a cautious first round, Kye went after Jack – and nearly got him out of there in the fourth – with a very dominate last three rounds,”

 
“But in doing so he didn’t breathe well and attacked the head way way to much. This allowed Jack to sort of build a resistance to the power, so to speak, but it had a negative affect on Kye’s endurance,”

 
Despite firmly believing that his charge is the superior fighter between the pair, Hudson was admirally full of praise for both Asis and his highly regarded trainer Brendon Smith, who has managed and trained Asis for the best part of twelve fights.

 
With that said, Hudson still believes that MacKenzie would defeat Asis if they were to engage in a mouth watering rematch.

 
“Jack has improved more than anybody out there thinks,” Hudson added. “Brendon Smith has done a amazing job with him and I truly believe that Jack beats every super featherweight out there at the moment, besides Kye,”

 
“Keeping in mind that Kye lost. But I think that Kye beat himself on the night, not Jack.”

 
“The stoppage was per the rules by the NSW Combat Sports Board. This fight was fought under their rules – why it was has me stumped – and there was no standing eight count,”

 
“Kye wasn’t hurt from a heavy punch and he wasn’t on ropes or hanging helplessly. He was totally exhausted and didn’t clam or take a knee – and that’s from experience – nothing more,”

 
“But I am not unsatisfied with the result by no way or means,”

 
While no official word has come out in regards to an immediate rematch, Hudson is hoping that the popularity of both fighters as well as the competitive nature of the fight itself will be enough to draw a television date.

 
“After a little rest, a rematch would be our first option,” said Hudson in closing. “The thought of having a build-up fight in his return is crap,”

 
“This was a world title fight that was fought at such a high pace. Experience got Jack home and he needs to be congratulated, I think this was the perfect preparation for a rematch. We now know what extent is required to win the title and we knowing we need to improve to win,”

 
“This was a great fight by two very good fighters, but at the end of the day, there is only one winner and Jack deserved to win,”

 
“Can Kye improve? Absolutely, you bet he can. But can Jack? With all due respect, I don’t think so,”

 
“But this is a fight that the whole of Australia needs to see. Hopefully the rematch if it eventuates, will be of the same calibre.”

 
 
Photo: Louie Abigail/Photography by Rockfingrz