Belting win for May
Nathaniel May collected what he hopes will be the first of many titles with a unanimous points win at the WA Italian Club last night.
May claimed the WBO Asia Pacific Youth super-featherweight belt with a well-merited 10-round victory over James Mokoginta.
But the night could have turned sour for the 19-year-old from Bunbury after he was cautioned for taking revenge on the Indonesian for an earlier shot below the belt.
In an incident similar to Ricky Hatton's famous "equaliser" against Kostya Tszyu in 2005, May shook off the eye-watering effects of a low blow to return serve with interest in the eighth round. Referee Gary Ingraham was unimpressed and gave the West Australian a warning.
Nine years ago Hatton, asked if his act of vengeance had had an impact on the fight, replied: "I ******* hope so!" Last night, May was always going to win and probably shouldn't have taken matters into his own hands. But, like Hatton, what he did was give a message that he wasn't going to be bullied in the ring.
Two judges gave May the decision 99-91 and the third 97-93.
The CDL team and fighters with young Kira Joyce. Pic supplied
The fight was the top of the bill on the "Fighting for Kira" charity night, organised by Ty Colman and Dave Letizia of CDL Boxing.
Funds raised will assist Joondana three-year-old Kira Joyce, who has had 17 operations since being diagnosed with leukaemia earlier this year.
Kira and her family were present last night and all the boxers on the six-fight card wore pink gloves in support of the little battler.
