WBC PRESENTS BELT TO LIONEL ROSE
By Tony Nobbs
08.01 - At their Annual Convention
in Pattaya Beach, Thailand in early December, the
World Boxing Council presented former Bantamweight
Champion Lionel Edmund Rose MBE with a replica of
the belt he gave to young burns victim Tjandamurra
O'Shane. Tjandamurra was severely burnt in a cowardly,
evil attack while playing in a schoolyard in Cairns,
Northern Australia in 1995. While he was recovering
in hospital, Rose, the only Aboriginal to ever hold
a Legitimate World Boxing Title (6 have since lost
challenges), gave the child, a nephew of high profile
Aboriginal magistrate Patricia O'Shane, the belt
he won by unanimously outpointing Japanese legend
Masahiko Fighting Harada over 15 rounds in Tokyo
on February 16 1968. Lionel, who also won the WBA
Crown against Harada,was the grand old age of 19
and had been a pro for 4 years. When the new champ
arrived home there were over 100,000 people to greet
him in a ticker-tape parade through Melbourne.
After three successful defences,
all on points, he lost his Titles to Mexican KO
artist "Rockabye" Ruben Olivares, one
of the greatest Bantams in history, by 5 round knockout
at Inglewood, California. During his reign, in which
he suffered drastic weight problems, Lionel was
rated by Ring Magazine as one of the top P4P boxers
in the world.
He later challenged for the WBC
Super Featherweight Title, losing a close 15 rounder
to Yoshiaki Numata at Hiroshima, May 30, 1971. He
retired in 1976 with a record of 42-11, 12 wins
inside the distance. He still remains hugely popular
and receives standing ovations wherever he goes
and is this particular writers favourite Australian
boxer. He was accompanied to Thaland by wife Jenny,
daughter of his amateur trainer Frank Oakes.He was
trained throughout his professional carer by Jack
Rennie.
LOVEMORE NDOU BOXING BUSHFIRE
FUND
By Tony Nobbs
07.01
- With Bushfire's still raging throughout the state
of NSW for the third week, World rated Lightweight
Lovemore "The Panther" Ndou (30-3-1, 18ko's)
will step back into the ring on February 15 when
he boxes a charity exhibition, donating his purse
to the NSW South Coast Bushfire Appeal Fund. Ndou's
Sydney stablemate, popular Heavyweight Russell Townsend
will headline the show at the Bulli-Woonoona RSL
Club, south of Sydney, also donating his purse.
Ndou, 30, has not fought since scoring
an impressive 5 round TKO over Chilean veteran Carlos
"Latigo" Uribe last February 25 and recently
linked with US Agent Don Majeski after his contract
with Australian promoter Bill Mordey expired. He
had been hoping for a crack at WBC Champion Jose
Castillo but with the brilliant Floyd Mayweather
moving up to 135lb, the South African born Ndou
may have to wait his turn or take another path.
Inactivity has seen him slip from # 3 to # 7 in
the WBC rankings. Prior to the Uribe win, Ndou had
stuggled in his previous five fights and was later
diagnosed with Glandular fever. He was very fortunate
to win a ten round decision over crafty Argentine
Gustavo Cuello in October 1999 and his upset ten
round points thrashing at the southpaw hands of
Venezualean Superlightweight Guillermo "Pantera"
Mosquera in June 2000 later cost him a shot at Paul
Spadafora's IBF Title.
Ndou v Johar Abu Lashin, 1998.
