Caparello outpoints Belghecham, wins in super middleweight debut

 
A defensively proficient Blake Caparello did as he pleased with the durable Affif Belghecham on Friday night.

 
Making his long awaited super middleweight debut, Caparello picked up the vacant WBO Asia Pacific and PABA super middleweight baubles with a polished unanimous points decision.

 
At the conclusion of ten rounds, the judges rendered a 99-92 and 97-93 (twice) verdict.

 
Often maligned for being a safety-first fighter, Caparello, 28, came out aggressively and appeared to hurt Belghecham, 40, several times in the opening stanza.

 
Perhaps sensing there was still some way to go, the southpaw appeared to take his foot off the pedal and in the process cruised to his second consecutive points win.

 
“I went alright. He was a tough opponent, he kept coming forward,” said Caparello post-fight. “It was my first time at the weight, so I was trying to improve on a few things and keep working on my game plan,”

 
“I felt I struggled to find my range tonight, I was probably a bit tense. I just need to relax a bit more but I’m pleased I got the job done.”

 
Caparello is defensively brilliant, there is no denying that. However, his inability to put fighters away is something that continues to pester the home audiences.

 
Yes, Belghecham has a history of durability, but Caparello was leagues above the ageing French southpaw.

 
With that said, it could have been Belghecham’s refusal to take the fight to Caparello.

 
As history has shown, any fighter that recklessly charges at the former world title challenger ends up with an early night, ask Michael Van Nimwegen and Togasilimai Letoa.

 
“I have definitely been working a bit more on the attack that’s what get’s the bums on the seats,” admitted Caparello. “I’m going keep practicing working on the attack and maintaining my defence,”

 
“Look, it was part of the plan to try to get him out of there but he was tough,” Caparello explained.

 
“He had been the distance with Andy Lee, Darren Barker and Hassan N’Dam and they didn’t get him out of there.”

 
“I wanted to make a statement, it didn’t go my way. But I still got the win and I dominated and that’s all I can do.”

 
Labelled as the consummate professional, Caparello will take a short break before resuming training within the week. Caparello is looking to build his way towards a shot at reigning WBO titleholder, Arthur Abraham.

 
“I have pulled up good, look forward to a few days off and get back into it,”

 
“I really just want to keep getting myself up the ratings and become a mandatory. I’ll do what ever I have to do to get that,”

 
Although he has no immediate plans in terms of an opponent being finalised, Caparello took a parting shot at lengthy list of domestic super middleweights that refuse to step in the ring with him.

 
“I just want to become the mandatory to get that world title shot,” he said in closing. “I’m just going to keep plugging away, look at bringing some good names out here,”

 
“I’ll fight anyone at super middleweight. I don’t know of anyone in Australia in the division that wants to step up.”

 
 
Photo: Marty Camilleri/Marty’s Knockout Photography