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- Bendigo boxers looking sharp ahead of hometown fight night
- Morgan scores fifth professional boxing win
- Wins for Brad Morgan and Matt Hall
- Boxers go back to work
- Boxers achieve victory on TKO
- Tuitupou shapes up for ‘life changing’ bout
- Fight falls through, but Rafaeles looking forward to exhibition match
- Morgan hones in a hometown boxing win
- Hall eager to defend undefeated boxing streak
BENDIGO boxers Matt Hall and Brad Morgan have had some unexpected good news just days before their first hometown fights in nearly two years.
The young pair from the California Gully-based Vinton Street Gym (VSG) will both now be fighting for World Boxing Foundation Australasia titles when they hit the ring at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre this Saturday night at ‘Night of the Dragons’.
Their fights against Thai opponents Sutee Noonkrathok (Hall) and Worraphon Jesadajindawat (Morgan) were sanctioned by the WBF on Tuesday.
In a further development, star international fighter Neil John Tabanao will also now be fighting for an Asia Pacific title.
The 23-year-old Filipino, who captured the vacant World Boxing Organisation Oriental featherweight title against Ibrahim Balla during his last trip to Bendigo in 2016, will take on Rachan Yageow, from Thailand.
The bout marks Yagoew’s return to the ring after a four-year hiatus.
He has a 25-4 professional record compared with Tabanao’s 14-4.
Hall and Morgan’s co-trainer Gary Connolly said it was a spectacular turn of events for the undefeated duo.
“It’s a massive opportunity – the only other person I can think of in Bendigo who has held a WBF belt is Justin Whitehead,” he said.
“So to have two Bendigo boys fighting for a belt in the one night is a real opportunity.
“It’s been a busy week in the lead-up to the night, but the boys are looking and feeling well.
“These are big fights for them, but the boys are ready to rock and roll.”
Joining Hall and Morgan in the ring will be the debuting Jesse Tuitupou, who will face Tinnakorn Sirikul, from Thailand, in a heavyweight showdown.
A fourth VSG fighter, undefeated flyweight Dino Rafaeles will compete in a four-round sanctioned exhibition match against Melbourne-based lightweight Daniel ‘The Hawk’ Hucalak.
Connolly said the Thais would be dangerous opponents for the trio of Hall, Morgan and Tuitupou.
“Their opponents are Maximum Power Muay Thai champions, so they are used to fighting at the top level,” he said.
“They are really tough guys, which will make for really great fights, with two titles on the line for our Bendigo guys.”
Meanwhile, Connolly said a scheduled headline bout involving former world champion Marlon Tapales had disappointingly fallen through following Visa issues for his opponent Rivo Rengkung.
Tapales, who is eyeing a future title shot against World Boxing Organisation super bantamweight champion Jessie Magdaleno, was already on his way to Bendigo when he learned the fight had been cancelled.
Instead, the Connolly brothers – Pat and Gary – will help fund the 25-year-old Tapales’ next fight, which will be Asia next month, on a show promoted by legendary Thai boxing trainer Narongwas Buamas.
“It’s probably worked out better for Marlon as that show will be on national TV in Asia,” he said.
Tickets for Saturday night’s show at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre are available for purchase at The Capital box office, GoTix.com.au or 5434 6100.