Dib denied of world title by Miura missile in Tokyo

 
BILLY Dib joins the list of regarded Australian fighters who have failed in their attempts to capture the ever elusive WBC super featherweight championship.

 
Dib, 29, showed guile and poise for the best part of two rounds before coming unstuck in the third, courtesy of a gruesome three-punch combination that both started and ended with Miura’s trademark overhand left.

 
Miura, 30, started slow and struggled to find his range against a cagey Dib (now 39-4, 23 KOs), who for all intents and purposes looked capable of dethroning the Japanese live wire, who made his fourth successful title defence.

 
The fleet-footed Australian oozed confidence early on, often spinning the southpaw champion (29-2-2, 22 KOs) while countering well from the inside, as well as with his back to the ropes.

Takashi Miura lands perfect left on Billy Dib in R3 and defended WBC super feather belt. Well that was quick.

— Kaz Nagatsuka（永塚和志） (@kaznagatsuka) May 1, 2015

 
However, the former IBF titleholder had a momentary lapse of concentration and paid the ultimate price.

 
To the dismay of the Australian audience watching the fight live on Channel 9, Dib rose on unsteady legs. Referee Hector Afu briefly assessed Dib’s posture before wisely calling a halt to the brave but ill-fated title challenge.

 
Miura, who scored his third consecutive knockout, is clearly the second best super featherweight in the world and will now look to secure a rematch in a unification bout with lineal champion and countryman Takashi Uchiyama.

 
 
Photo: Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images AsiaPac