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Half-Pinoy firebrand up against Tasmanian Devil


PhilBoxing.com




Half Filipino boxing sensation Heath ?The Heat? Ellis is looking forward to defending his IBF Pan Pacific and WBC Asian Boxing Council welterweight championships in Melbourne, Australia on April 9th against hard-hitting brawler ?Super? Steve Maxwell.

Ellis with a superb record of 12-1-1, 6 KOs was scheduled to fight former Nigerian, All-African and Commonwealth welterweight champion Fatai Onikeke (23-4, 20 KOs) from Nigeria who now resides in Australia. However, the African who has knocked out twenty opponents from twenty three victories withdrew from the title fight due to a hand injury that needed for stitches on his right index finger.

Brash, outspoken and big-mouthed ?Super? Steve Maxwell has replaced the African and has promised to knockout the Half-Pinoy Ellis within six rounds.

?My hands are like steel and Im the real deal, Ellis will not last with me? Maxwell said.

Maxwell resides in Tasmania, which is an island located off the mainland coast of Australia. Maxwell is an old school brawler with a walk-up style who has bricks in both hands. In a PhilBoxing exclusive, we are informed that Maxwell in preparation for this title fight has gone deep into the forest of Tasmania to chop down trees to give him knockout power.

?Some fighters use weights, I use my axe. He (Ellis) will be in trouble when he tastes my power.? Maxwell said.

Maxwell has won four of his last fights by stoppage, with his last three being by devastating knockouts. One of the devastating knockout wins was over talented former light-welterweight and welterweight Australian champion who also held the IBO Asia Pacific welterweight championship, Matthew Paulley.

Maxwell beat Paulley into submission with a devastating right hand that ended the fight in the second round after two knockdowns. Paulley was previously in his last twelve fights, spanning over four years.

Heath Ellis said he was aware that Maxwell was heavy handed and was looking forward to the fight.

?I know he can punch but so can I, I have no predictions but I will do myself for myself, my family, my fans and the Philippines.?

Victorian Promoter of the Year Peter Maniatis said exclusively to PhilBoxing that he was delighted with the match up and this fight is going to be Ellis? coming of age.

?Young Heath is only a kid at twenty years of age, but he is a great prospect not only in Australia but in Asia. He has two very credible regional titles (IBF Pan Pacific & WBC Asian Boxing Council), has a fantastic boxing pedigree and he comes to fight.?

Maniatis has now made half-Pinoy his main event fighter and this fight will mark the beginning of a very busy year for Ellis. Maniatis said he does not believe in contracts, rather a firm hand shake and so does Team Ellis.

Top photo: Heath Ellis (R) and Steve Maxwell.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlo Denoy.


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