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kenyan_cheena · 04-14-2010, 10:40 PM

TORONTO STAR

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2007

Gorecky dominant in
first title defense

Story by Geoff Neill

Middleweight boxer Greg Gorecky's quest to earn himself a shot at the IBL's world championship started in fine style last night as he completely dominated New Jersey native Ernie Vigh on the way to a comprehensive unanimous decision victory (120-107, 118-109, 120-107). It was Gorecky's first defense of the league's Americas championship and a rematch of the tournament semi-final from September (which had also been held at the Maple Leaf Gardens). Gorecky produced a performance that was surely the best of his career to date, as he subdued Vigh during the top half of the contest before easing off and then finishing strongly in the final two frames. He put an exclamation point on his efforts by dropping Vigh with a textbook right hand a minute into round twelve, which brought a thunderous ovation from the crowd.

Gorecky (now 10-0(5)) landed exactly 400 punches, having thrown 1,084 and connecting at a rate of 36.9%. Showing how outclassed he was, Vigh (8-3(5)) could only land 123 of 613 (20.1%). The Scarborough-born 25 year-old built his victory behind a smart defense and an outstanding left jab, with the CompuBox numbers revealing that the punch accounted for almost one-third of the blows he landed. He spent some thirty minutes in the ring and at ringside following the completion of the bout, conducting a lengthy interview and then signing autographs and posing for pictures. The faultless start he's made to his professional career has Gorecky placed as one of the most promising young fighters, not only in the Americas, but also in the world.

Gorecky's second title defense could very well be against compatriot Frank Battaglia, who recorded a unanimous decision win over Denmark's Tom Bogs in the evening's opener (96-92, 97-93, 98-92). Bogs actually outlanded Battaglia by some fifty blows but the Winnipeg native was very much the busier of the two, throwing more than twice as many punches. Battaglia (8-2(3)) also scored two knockdowns, dropping his opponent in rounds five and nine. If the IBL chooses Battaglia as Gorecky's next challenger the next couple of months are going to be full of excitement and expectation for Canadian fight fans.

It appeared that the two men were heading for a clash in the tournament final but Battaglia was defeated in the semis by Willie Monroe. He was then knocked out by Vigh in the 2nd round of an elimination bout on the same night Gorecky won the championship, further delaying their matchup. Gorecky would go into the clash as a warm favourite to retain the belt, but of course, stranger things have happened. For now he's the toast of the town, a talented pugilist who overcame adversity and hardship as a youngster and has made every post a winner during his brief professional career. Without a doubt, Greg Gorecky is a fighter that boxing fans should be keeping an eye on in 2007.

04-14-2010, 10:40 PM	#877
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,037	TORONTO STAR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2007 Gorecky dominant in first title defense Story by Geoff Neill Middleweight boxer Greg Gorecky's quest to earn himself a shot at the IBL's world championship started in fine style last night as he completely dominated New Jersey native Ernie Vigh on the way to a comprehensive unanimous decision victory (120-107, 118-109, 120-107). It was Gorecky's first defense of the league's Americas championship and a rematch of the tournament semi-final from September (which had also been held at the Maple Leaf Gardens). Gorecky produced a performance that was surely the best of his career to date, as he subdued Vigh during the top half of the contest before easing off and then finishing strongly in the final two frames. He put an exclamation point on his efforts by dropping Vigh with a textbook right hand a minute into round twelve, which brought a thunderous ovation from the crowd. Gorecky (now 10-0(5)) landed exactly 400 punches, having thrown 1,084 and connecting at a rate of 36.9%. Showing how outclassed he was, Vigh (8-3(5)) could only land 123 of 613 (20.1%). The Scarborough-born 25 year-old built his victory behind a smart defense and an outstanding left jab, with the CompuBox numbers revealing that the punch accounted for almost one-third of the blows he landed. He spent some thirty minutes in the ring and at ringside following the completion of the bout, conducting a lengthy interview and then signing autographs and posing for pictures. The faultless start he's made to his professional career has Gorecky placed as one of the most promising young fighters, not only in the Americas, but also in the world. Gorecky's second title defense could very well be against compatriot Frank Battaglia, who recorded a unanimous decision win over Denmark's Tom Bogs in the evening's opener (96-92, 97-93, 98-92). Bogs actually outlanded Battaglia by some fifty blows but the Winnipeg native was very much the busier of the two, throwing more than twice as many punches. Battaglia (8-2(3)) also scored two knockdowns, dropping his opponent in rounds five and nine. If the IBL chooses Battaglia as Gorecky's next challenger the next couple of months are going to be full of excitement and expectation for Canadian fight fans. It appeared that the two men were heading for a clash in the tournament final but Battaglia was defeated in the semis by Willie Monroe. He was then knocked out by Vigh in the 2nd round of an elimination bout on the same night Gorecky won the championship, further delaying their matchup. Gorecky would go into the clash as a warm favourite to retain the belt, but of course, stranger things have happened. For now he's the toast of the town, a talented pugilist who overcame adversity and hardship as a youngster and has made every post a winner during his brief professional career. Without a doubt, Greg Gorecky is a fighter that boxing fans should be keeping an eye on in 2007.