By Marc McGowan
DOUBTS were raised about Cranbourne boxer Daniel ‘Porky’ Lovett’s credentials, but a fourth-round knockout at Vodafone Arena last Wednesday night has silenced the critics.
Lovett’s dominant victory over Kane McKay on the Anthony Mundine-Sam Soliman undercard takes his record to 16 wins from 19 bouts – including 10 knockouts.
The 24-year-old is now the Pan Asian Boxing Association light heavyweight champion, earning himself a World Boxing Association top-15 ranking in the process.
The triumph also made a mockery of McKay’s loud-mouthed trainer Tony Salta’s pre-fight comments.
Salta publicly stated in the lead-up that Lovett had only faced one decent fighter – the now-retired Nader Hamden – and that he was not ‘everything that he is made up to be’.
McKay continued the bravado throughout the slugfest, suggesting to Lovett that he would wear him down over the 12 rounds after being on the receiving end of a barrage of punches.
But Lovett let his gloves do the talking, opening up a significant cut above one of McKay’s eyes with a right blow before ending the stoush with a brutal flurry.
The fight was Lovett’s first since a similarly devastating performance against Alofa Solitua at Dandenong Basketball Stadium in October.
“I’m pretty happy. Looking back there are a few things I would have done differently, but I’m happy with my performance,” he said.
“I said to (my trainer) Jim after the fight that I felt like I was labouring a little bit.
“Even though I knew I was on top and winning every contest, I couldn’t click into gear – I normally feel a little bit sharper.”
Trainer Jim Slatter put Lovett’s lethargic feeling down to “ring-rust”, but was still extremely pleased with his charge’s display.
“I’m pretty rapt; his concentration was awesome,” he said.
“If he plays his cards right from now on he’s on his way. The kid is just learning every fight he has and is progressing at a fantastic rate.”
Lovett’s extended break between bouts was due to several reasons, including twice breaking the thumb on his right hand during sparring.
He also endured similar problems to his last fight, with a host of potential opponents pulling out.
Originally, Lovett was slated to battle Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation light heavyweight champion Crazy Kim, but their match-up fell through over financial arrangements.
The Kim showdown could still eventuate, with Lovett looking to travel to Japan.
“I’m hoping to keep defending (the title), but I’ve spoken to Jim about putting a challenge into Crazy Kim to go over to Japan,” Lovett said.
“Last time the negotiations fell down at the last minute because they wanted more money than what they agreed on and thought they might get a shot at Mundine.
“If I can beat Crazy I’ll get a WBC (World Boxing Council) top-20 ranking.”
Slatter has predicted any potential contest with Kim could take up to six months to arrange, so Lovett is expected to organise a bout in between.
Candidates at this stage are Australian light heavyweight titleholder Tim Bell and Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation super middleweight champion Wayne Parker junior.
Picture: Luke Plummer. 12829.
