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kenyan_cheena · 11-23-2013, 04:49 AM

Melbourne Herald-Sun

SUNDAY 10 AUGUST 2008

Somogyi knocked out
in return to ring

Story by Les Hayes

Melbourne light-heavyweight boxer Mark Somogyi suffered a setback in his quest to earn a rematch with world champion Celestine Amakochi when he was stopped in the 9th round of his clash with Amakochi's compatriot Taribo Keshi last night in front of a parochial crowd at the Crown Casino. In his first outing since being knocked out in the 6th round by Amakochi in a January world title bid, Somogyi was the better fighter for much of the clash and appeared to be on the way to a solid victory. But Keshi's raw power abruptly ended the contest in round nine. He floored Somogyi with a left-right salvo one minute into the frame and then finished him off in stunning fashion moments after the former IBL Inter-Continental champion made it back to his feet. A right cross had Somogyi flat on his back, and he was counted out at the 1:33 mark.

The audience sat in stunned silence for several moments afterwards, shocked at the sight of their hero and champion laying unconscious on the canvas. It was difficult to comprehend after the impressive start he made to the fight. Somogyi peppered Keshi with pinpoint lefts and rights throughout the opening round. The Nigerian gave a better account of himself in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th frames, but when Somogyi dominated round five and then punished Keshi throughout the 6th, it seemed to be only a matter of time until he finished the job. But it never happened. Keshi stayed out of trouble through rounds seven and eight, and still had enough petrol in the tank and determination to launch his devastating rally in the 9th. Somogyi landed 225 of 473 punches (47.6%), Keshi 158 of 520 (30.4%). The Melbournian led on all three scorecards at the conclusion of round eight (78-75, 77-76, 78-74).

Keshi was always going to be a dangerous proposition for Somogyi, as he has also previously challenged for the world championship. He fought fellow Nigerian Dick Tiger for the IBF belt back in April '06 and went the distance with Harold Johnson in the inaugural IBL title fight eight months later. Keshi had defeated Tiger in a September rematch en route to the clash with Johnson. Last night's win was Keshi's fifth in a row and improved his record to 28-4(21). Somogyi fell to 18-2(13) and faces the likelihood of a considerable drop in the IBL's World Championship Conference rankings. He came into the bout placed at #6 while Keshi was ranked 12th, so one would think a move of perhaps four places in either direction is in store for each fighter. Keshi defeated the Argentinian Miguel Angel Cuello in his first WCC bout, while Somogyi was making his WCC debut.

11-23-2013, 04:49 AM	#1878
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,037	Melbourne Herald-Sun SUNDAY 10 AUGUST 2008 Somogyi knocked out in return to ring Story by Les Hayes Melbourne light-heavyweight boxer Mark Somogyi suffered a setback in his quest to earn a rematch with world champion Celestine Amakochi when he was stopped in the 9th round of his clash with Amakochi's compatriot Taribo Keshi last night in front of a parochial crowd at the Crown Casino. In his first outing since being knocked out in the 6th round by Amakochi in a January world title bid, Somogyi was the better fighter for much of the clash and appeared to be on the way to a solid victory. But Keshi's raw power abruptly ended the contest in round nine. He floored Somogyi with a left-right salvo one minute into the frame and then finished him off in stunning fashion moments after the former IBL Inter-Continental champion made it back to his feet. A right cross had Somogyi flat on his back, and he was counted out at the 1:33 mark. The audience sat in stunned silence for several moments afterwards, shocked at the sight of their hero and champion laying unconscious on the canvas. It was difficult to comprehend after the impressive start he made to the fight. Somogyi peppered Keshi with pinpoint lefts and rights throughout the opening round. The Nigerian gave a better account of himself in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th frames, but when Somogyi dominated round five and then punished Keshi throughout the 6th, it seemed to be only a matter of time until he finished the job. But it never happened. Keshi stayed out of trouble through rounds seven and eight, and still had enough petrol in the tank and determination to launch his devastating rally in the 9th. Somogyi landed 225 of 473 punches (47.6%), Keshi 158 of 520 (30.4%). The Melbournian led on all three scorecards at the conclusion of round eight (78-75, 77-76, 78-74). Keshi was always going to be a dangerous proposition for Somogyi, as he has also previously challenged for the world championship. He fought fellow Nigerian Dick Tiger for the IBF belt back in April '06 and went the distance with Harold Johnson in the inaugural IBL title fight eight months later. Keshi had defeated Tiger in a September rematch en route to the clash with Johnson. Last night's win was Keshi's fifth in a row and improved his record to 28-4(21). Somogyi fell to 18-2(13) and faces the likelihood of a considerable drop in the IBL's World Championship Conference rankings. He came into the bout placed at #6 while Keshi was ranked 12th, so one would think a move of perhaps four places in either direction is in store for each fighter. Keshi defeated the Argentinian Miguel Angel Cuello in his first WCC bout, while Somogyi was making his WCC debut.