Left: Cranbourne boxing star Shane Brock is returning to the ring next week against Tanzanian Commonwealth Games representative Omari Kimweri.By Marc McGowan
A WORLD title bout will be in Cranbourne boxing dynamo Shane Brock’s sights if he can overcome Omari Kimweri at Docklands on Friday week.
Brock (eight wins, two losses, one draw and six knockouts) will battle it out with the diminutive Tanzanian, who stands just 150 centimetres, over eight three-minute rounds in the flyweight category.
But if Brock’s Australian Flyweight Title victory over Queenslander Matt Meredith at Dandenong Basketball Stadium last October is any gauge, Kimweri (one win and one loss) will be hard-pressed to go the full distance.
Brock demolished Meredith one minute and 52 seconds after the first bell, and Kimweri, who represented his country at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, may be in for similar treatment.
“I know he’s short, so hopefully I can use my reach advantage and from the word go have him on the back foot,” Brock said.
“Then we’ll see what happens from there.”
The match-up was initially scheduled for December in Adelaide, but Kimweri pulled out to take on another opponent.
“He’s stayed over from the Commonwealth Games after having a good amateur career,” Brock said.
“I’ve heard he’s pretty good, so it should be a good fight.
“Hopefully this is a good international stepping stone.
“The promoters have got some plans ahead for me, so it should be good.”
Brock’s trainer Steve Kerr is thrilled that his charge is finally receiving some support.
“Since joining forces with (promoters) Brian Amatruda and Barry Michaels, it has been a lot easier,” Kerr said.
“We’re very lucky we’ve got in with them and they’re supporting Shane in a big way.
“It makes my job a lot easier. Rather than having to get on the phone looking for fights, Brian looks after us.”
A win in the Kimweri slugfest will set Brock up for a potential International Boxing Federation regional title contest this year.
A triumph in that would see the pastry cook earn a top-15 world ranking and put him on the path to a world title chance.
“I just want to get the kid everything he deserves because he’s a hard worker,” Kerr said.
“Flyweight is a hard division because there are not many around and he always has to spar with heavier blokes.
“Shane’s beaten all the flyweights that are around and ones that have come out of Thailand and this bloke is an African, which will be another kettle of fish.”
Kerr envisions Brock fighting for a world title in the not-too-distant future.
“If we can get him over the line in this fight, we have bigger things to aim for – like a world title,” he said.
“If we can get over this fight, I really reckon he’s only three or four fights from a world title shot.”
Picture: Luke Plummer.
