Five for 2015: Domestic Fights

 
AUSTRALIAN boxing enters 2015 with an endless amount of potential fights on the horizon.

 
With that in mind, Aus-Boxing looks at the five best domestic match ups that we would like to see made in the next twelve months.

 
 
1. Billy Dib (39-3, 23 KOs) vs. Will Tomlinson (23-1-1, 13 KOs)

 
With legitimate bad blood going back as far as most can remember, in recent years there hasn’t appeared to be a rivalry as real as the one shared by former IBF featherweight champion Billy Dib and former IBO super featherweight titleholder Will Tomlinson.

 
It has the storyline of a classic boxing matchup. In many ways, Billy Dib was always earmarked to win a world title, and at 29, has already captured a coveted world title as well as fighting on some of the biggest stages in the sport, having also been signed to the biggest promoter in boxing – Golden Boy Promotions.

 
In Tomlinson, 28, you have your one-time blue collar country kid, who has worked his way from smaller cards to be a genuine headliner in his own right. Now on the books of Golden Boy Promotions, Tomlinson is on the verge of signing for a mouth watering clash with WBC/WBO #1 super featherweight Francisco Vargas.

 
While a fight between Dib and Tomlinson doesn’t appear to be next, there is no denying the attention this fight would receive if it were signed at any point in 2015. With both Dib and Tomlinson now campaigning at super featherweight, the common ground in terms of weight, no longer appears to be an issue.

 
What the experts say: “Boxing needs rivalries, and with the history of animosity and genuine bad blood between world class duo Billy Dib and Will Tomlinson, Australian boxing has a marquee clash on the horizon. Both boxers are open and outspoken in their dislike of the other, and while they each have big international fights to focus on in the short term.”

 
“Discussions are underway for Dib’s next opponent while a Tomlinson announcement appears imminent, but perhaps this will be the year – if not 2016 – for Dib and Tomlinson to settle their differences in the ring in an enticingly divisive all-Australian bout which would rival Mundine vs. Green for intensity.” – Ben Damon

 
Likelihood: 5/10

 

 
2. Lucas Browne (22-0, 19 KOs) vs. Kali Meehan (42-5, 32 KOs)

 
Rewind twelve months and this is not a fight that any fight fan would be asking for.

 
However, as it has been proven endless amounts of times, twelve months can be an eternity in boxing. Having won the Commonwealth heavyweight title and a handful of regional straps, Lucas Browne has clearly cemented his place as Australia’s premier heavyweight.

 
In that time, former heavyweight title challenger Kali Meehan has completed a remarkable comeback – winning four fights in 2014 – highlighted by his Super 8 triumph and a one-sided beating over Shane Cameron. Meehan, 44, has hit a purple patch and now remains as the only credible challenge left for Browne domestically.

 
Although a fight between Browne, 35, and long-time rival Alex Leapai has been touted for some time, the fight appears to have lost its lustre with Leapai riding a two-fight losing streak. Browne is on the cusp of a lucrative title shot, but a fight with Meehan could prove to be an ideal lead-in fight for Browne.

 
What the experts say: “This would be a good heavyweight scrap between two big men. Kali Meehan has all the experience and holds good power. I think this fight would show where Lucas Browne stands with the heavyweights, as well as being a great test.” – Jamie Myer

 
Likelihood: 7/10

 

 
3. Jake Carr (8-0, 3 KOs) vs. Zac Dunn (16-0, 14 KOs)

 
Both were standout amateurs, winning multiple titles and a heap of admiration with the helmets on. But in the paid ranks, you would be hard-pressed to find more opposing journeys than those of undefeated Melbourne pair Jake Carr and Zac Dunn.

 
For Carr, 24, there has been little if any time wasted as a professional, winning the Australian super middleweight title against the avoided Serge Yannick, before halting Zac Awad in his first title defence in 2013. Carr topped those credible performances with wins over the previously unbeaten Dane Mulivai and Renold Quinlan in 2014.

 
Put simply, Carr has faced every willing and available challenger and has essentially cleaned up his backyard, leaving a scarce selection of domestic challengers left.

 
As for Dunn, 23, he has opted for the regional route, winning a handful of WBC and WBO affiliated baubles in his spell as a professional. However, Dunn has only fought one Australian in sixteen fights, leaving many within the industry pondering what would be against fighters like Carr, Murdoch, McCulloch amongst many others.

 
What the experts say: “This would be an action-packed fight as both are come-forward fighters, it’d be very hard to pick a winner. It probably won’t happen though as the both are going in different directions with Carr cleaning up his own backyard before moving onwards, while Dunn is chasing international fights. It’s a 50/50 fight for both camps.” – Brian Amatruda

 
Likelihood: 2/10

 

 
4. Kye MacKenzie (14-0, 12 KOs) vs. Paul Fleming (19-0, 13 KOs)

 
You could almost pick any fighter you like from within the group of talented names that the stacked super featherweight division in Australia currently boasts to fight each other, and you’d get a salivating fight. But two names that currently stand out from the pack are unbeaten duo Kye MacKenzie and Paul Fleming.

 
Fleming, 26, turned professional in 2008 and generated a lot of hype because of his entertaining switch-hitting style, which lead to Fleming signing for US promotional giant Top Rank. Just over six years on from his debut, Fleming has build up an impressive record, consisting of nineteen consecutive wins – but hasn’t fought much in terms of opposition – with his career-best win being a stoppage win over Ryusei Yoshida in 2013.

 
The former Olympian ended a 19-month absence in November, outpointing former world title challenger Angky Angkotta over eight rounds in Perth.

 
Conversely, Kye MacKenzie has made a lot of noise in his two years as a professional. MacKenzie, 22, has won state, national and regional honours, but more importantly has stepped up his opposition with each passing year. Last year, MacKenzie earned ‘Prospect of the Year’ honours by scoring knockout wins over formerly world rated Matt Garlett and an equally impressive stoppage over former world title challenger Clive Atwell.

 
With Fleming looking to make up for lost time and MacKenzie in discussions to fight for the IBO super featherweight strap – formerly held by Will Tomlinson – in his next fight, the stage is almost set for an inevitable showdown between two of the best young super featherweights in the country.

 
What the experts say: “I really like Paul Fleming and he could well be Australia’s best upcoming talent. But for me, now’s his time to step up, take the next step and further his career. I don’t necessarily think that Mackenzie is that ‘step up’, but it’s a cracking fight that pushes the winner to the next level.”

 
“I think young Kye had a great 2014, and he has been stepped up beautifully by Lincoln Hudson. But to back all the internet claims of him being Australia’s best super-featherweight, he must first beat Fleming. I’d love to see the fight, but both boys have too much to lose to ever see it.” – Adam Wilcock

 
Likelihood: 4/10

 

 
5. Shannon King (8-1, 7 KOs) vs. Dennis Hogan (20-0-1, 7 KOs)

 
Shannon King is the best light middleweight campaigning in Queensland that is not named Dennis Hogan.

 
King, 37, is a two-time Australian light middleweight champion and holder of multiple titles in both kickboxing and Muay Thai. King has almost done as he has pleased since making the switch to boxing – with the exception of his lone loss to Sam Ah-See last year – and is looking to progress past the national strap.

 
Hogan, 29, is world rated by both the WBA and the IBF and is looking to slowly progress to fights that will get him towards a world title eliminator. The popular Irishman cleared out the middleweight division when he held the Australian title and has few detractors since making the move down to light middleweight.

 
But with King being one of only a select group of locals willing to face Hogan, a local derby of sorts between King and Hogan would be a staple on any boxing fixture in 2015. Both have strong promotional ties with their respective promoters, who have worked together for previous fights, including Hogan’s dethroning of then Australian champion Nathan Carroll, so at some point in 2015, expect to see King and Hogan sharing a ring.

 
What the experts say: “This is an intriguing match up. Hogan has a particularly strong amateur pedigree and is now world ranked with the WBA/IBF. He has shown a lot of improvement under Steve Deller and continues to get better. Shannon King has a very raw but talented style of fighting and the fact he is quite unpredictable could give Hogan a few headaches.”

 
“King also has knockout power and this fight would really be a stern test as to where he’s at as a professional. This would be a dangerous fight for Hogan and one I would love to see in 2015.” – Dan Smart

 
Likelihood: 9/10

 
 
Photos: Louie Abigail/Photography by Rockfingrz, Damian Brierty/Visual Delight, Marty’s Knockout Photography, CDL Boxing Promotions, Ace Boxing Promotions