Noongar boxer Alex Winwood knocked out his Indonesian oppomnent Tibo Monabesa inside four rounds on Friday. Photo credit: Fite.tv
World-renowned boxing trainer Angelo Hyder has said “we’ve got something special” about Noongar up-and-comer Alex Winwood.
On Friday, the 25-year-old light flyweight upset world number 13 Tibo Monabesa within four rounds at Perth’s Metro City to claim the WBC International title.
In just his second professional bout, Winwood looked every bit the future world champion he’s being tipped as, showing poise, character and timing to rattle the 32-year-old Indonesian champion.
Watching along from his corner, Hyder says the young Winwood shows composure and coach-ability well beyond his years while sending Monabesa to the canvas time and time again.
“Everything I asked him to do, he did it,” Hyder told the National Indigenous Times.
“We had a plan of how to break that guy down, go into the body, setting him up and then opening up the middle for that uppercut…he executed it exactly at the time and round I asked him (to).”
After a successful amateur career the Western Australian is eyeing off a coveted piece of sporting history for himself. When fellow-Aussie Jeff Fenech won the IBF Bantamweight title in 1985 he did so in what was his seventh professional fight, the third-fastest rise to a world title in the sport.
Winwood wants to do it in six.
“I can't wait to come back and go across the road to RAC Arena and fight for the world title, and become the fastest Australian to do so," he said after his win on Friday.
Winwood's trainer knows it won’t be an easy climb to the top, but from what he’s seen Winwood’s already displaying pedigree as a future great.
Asked when a reality check for where Winwood is at as a fighter is likely to come, Hyder said “it should have been that fight (against Monabesa)”.
“We didn't know with the step up (in level) whether he could dominate the way he did or whether he was going to be put under pressure,” Hyder said.
“He (Windwood) just dominated him completely.
Hyder knew once Monabesa began stretching himself to get back into the contest early the result was all but over.
“He actually started attacking. And that was his downfall.
“That's when the holes come and you're more vulnerable to being knocked out.
“The easiest opponent to knock out is one trying to knock you out.”
A fourth-round uppercut from Windwood square on Monabesa’s chin and resulting sea legs was all the ref had to see.
Mob in the crowd were heard getting behind the young fighter with cheers of "It's your country, son. You're in your country".
“Now that he's (Winwood) dominated a fight of such experience and level, then we have to find someone closer to the world champion. And if he can do the same, then we keep going up,” Hyder said.
“We have and we have to do that four or five times to make sure that he's got the tools and the experience under pressure to beat a world champion because when you get in the ring with a world champion, mate, you're only half way.
“To take the title of him, that's another whole journey in itself.”
Winwood is set to fight again in June.
