Billy Dib signs off with victory in his final fight

HAMBURG – Three years on from being told he had six months to live in his fight against cancer, Australia’s former world champion Billy Dib won the final bout of his career.

He took an eight-round decision (80-72 on all three scorecards) over Germany’s Atilla Kayabasi, 12-16 (7 KOs) to sign off at 49-6 (27 KOs).

Dib found a rhythm early, started to work the body and then managed to show some of his trademark handspeed, landing shots and moving to safety.

Boxing up at junior welterweight, Dib was clubbed by a couple of left hooks at the end of the fourth, and another strong left hook in the seventh, but he was outworking Kayabasi. They embraced before the final bell and Dib continued to use his advantages in skill, speed and experience to earn his victory.

Dib walked to the ring to Sinatra’s My Way, which then gave way to LL Cool J.

“It was the most difficult decision I’ve ever been placed in in my life,” said Dib, of what he has had to go through. “What a dream come true.”

At cruiserweight, The Uzbek Tiger Shokhjakhon Abdullaev, 3-0 (2 KOs) started making room for his left hand against fellow southpaw Dzemal Bosnjak, 7-9-1 (4 KOs) early on and Bosnjak was promptly down twice, the first scored a knockdown and the second time from a slip. Bosnjak’s face reddened rapidly and the opening round made for a long three minutes for him.

Bosnjak was tough and stubborn and he fought back. He was second best, but he wasn’t going quietly. He was big, strong and tough and dug in through all six rounds. After six rounds, Abdullaev, won a unanimous decision, 60-53 across the board.

Debutant Radoalv Rosenov, a southpaw from Bulgaria, looked controlled and composed and can clearly punch with his left hand. Eber Tobar was forced to cover early and was under attack through much of the round but he made it through.

Rosenov landed a good left early in the second and it was increasingly one-sided. A wide left hook knocked Tobar onto his backside and the writing was on the wall. Rosenov slipped to the floor while throwing shots such was his enthusiasm to close the show and Tobar gamely fired back with left hooks of his own. More of the same followed, and Rosenov won a decision. It was likely 40-36 but no score was announced. Colombian Tabar is 12-9-3 (4 KOs).