Dib decisions Garza in winning return

 
IT wasn’t pretty and at times it was hard to watch.

 
But after ten competitive rounds, Billy Dib made a winning return to the super featherweight division.

 
On a card that served as a celebration to promoter Curtis Jackson’s birthday, Dib (now 37-3, 21 KOs) kept the celebrations going – albeit short lived – as Dib’s stablemate Mark Davis was crushed in eight rounds in his IBF super featherweight title eliminator against Michael Farenas in the main event.

 
Despite facing some resistance from the battle-tested Garza (now 26-8-1, 21 KOs), Dib managed to outscore his Mexican counterpart while landing the more cleaner and efficient blows over the ten round duration.

 
Dib, 28, backed by his manager Emaid Dib and trainer Billy Hussein, was crowned the winner by a unanimous decision, with the judges scores totalling in a 98-91 and 96-93 (twice) margin.

 
“Sometimes (it) is not always pretty, God is great got the W tonight back in the winning circle,” said Dib from his Facebook page after the fight.

 
The fight struggled to maintain any firm pace or momentum due to the stop-and-start nature of the contest. Referee Shada Murdaugh issued multiple warnings to Dib – for spitting out his mouth piece – as well as to Garza, who eventually had a point deducted for striking Dib whilst they were being broken apart.

 
“I’m glad to be back in the winner’s circle,” Dib told AAP post-fight. “Garza was a difficult opponent who looked to survive.”

 
“I’m thankful to get the win and start my journey in the super featherweight division.”m glad to be back in the winner’s circle,” Dib told AAP.

 
With the win, Dib will now look to establish himself in a loaded super featherweight division, which boasts titleholders Takashi Miura, who holds the WBC strap as well as fellow Japanese kingpin and WBA champion Takashi Uchiyama.

 
Alongside the aforementioned are IBF champion Argenis Mendez, who has a pending rematch with Rances Barthelemy and the undefeated Mikey Garcia, who is the division live wire and WBO titlist.

 
 
Photo: Will Hart/HBO