‘Hardest I’ve been hit’: Aussie hailed as future champ
Ian Chadband |
Teremoana Teremoana has been hailed as a world heavyweight champion of the future – by the American who’s become the latest quickfire victim in the big Australian’s increasingly impressive unbeaten career.
DeAndre Savage was the 12th opponent to hit the canvas in less than two rounds against Teremoana, who extended his flawless record to 12-0 in the main event at The Star Gold Coast in Queensland on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old’s victory followed a vital bounce-back win for Michael Zerafa, who stopped Venezuelan Alejandro Ortiz after the eighth round in his debut with promoter Matchroom Boxing.
Olympian Teremoana finished the job in his usual clinical manner, dropping Savage to his knees with a right hand from which the veteran American didn’t fancy rising.
Every one of Teremoana’s pro opponents so far has been dismissed in less than six minutes.
It also left 35-year-old Savage, who had arrived with 11 KO victories of his own and the promise that he’d take Teremoana into a tough new world, admitting afterwards: “That was the hardest I’ve ever been hit.”
Savage also suggested that the fighter with the Cook Island heritage could go on to become a world champion – a prediction that Teremoana’s British promoter Eddie Hearn isn’t about to dismiss.
Hearn confirmed the big Australian would next fight on the undercard of the proposed Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury super-bout for which no date or venue has yet been confirmed. It is, though, pencilled in for this year after long being discussed as a prospect.
The only person who didn’t seem too happy was Teremoana himself, who admitted to frustration at his fights continually finishing so quickly.
“I’m really annoyed that these fellas can’t carry on,” Teremoana said, after Savage became only the third opponent to take him into a second round.
Hearn says Teremoana is the man he believes can hand unbeaten 21-year-old British star Moses Itauma his first defeat as he urges a match-up between the two hot prospects.
Londoner Itauma, who has knocked out 12 of his 14 pro opponents without ever being taken past the sixth round, challenges Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF heavyweight title at the end of the month, with the Australian potentially in the pipeline to challenge if the Briton, as expected, prevails.
Melbourne middleweight Zerafa’s win came after a controversial no-contest against Nikita Tszyu in January, when he complained of blurry vision and the fight was waved off in the third round on doctor’s advice.
Ranked inside the top six by the WBO and WBA, victory ensured Zerafa remained in the world title conversation.
“From the bottom of my heart, I am sorry. Things happen and this is the start of something great,” a thankful Zerafa said of his “clean slate”.
AAP