In October of 2008, boxing fans in the United States were first exposed to a young Australian fighter named Billy ?The Kid? Dib (32-1,19KO), his flashy style and stout heart made a few believers here in America but just as silently as the young warrior came on the scene, he was gone, after the losing to Stevie Luevano, who was (35-1-1) at the time.
Dib travelled back to relative obscurity in the land down under, and then reeled off eleven straight wins, the last capturing the IBF Featherweight title from Georgia resident Jorge Lacierva (39-7-6, 26ko?s). Earlier in the year Dib defeated Fernando Beltran Jr. (35-4-1) in an eliminator that took place in Beltran?s native Mexico for rights to face Jorge for the vacant title.
Boxing fans in America could be treated soon to the second coming of ?The Kid? as several top contenders and champions are based here, we hope a Yuriorkis Gamboa fight will eventually be in the works and asked Billy his thoughts on facing the Cuban sensation.
8CN: Billy, Congrats on defeating Jorge Lacierva for the IBF featherweight title, was it tougher than you expected?
?Thank you. It was just as tough as I thought it would be but the preparation for the fight was great and we were more than ready for the challenges that Lacierva could possibly bring.?
8CN: Can you tell us now who you sparred with in preparation?
?I had some world class sparring against some of the best fighters Australia has to offer in Joel Brunker, Daniel Ionnazzo, Paul Fleming and others.?
8CN: You brought an IBF World Championship fight to Australia, though widely covered around the world why do you think it wasn’t covered more in USA?
?This fight was more of a stepping stone to bigger and better fights which will hopefully eventuate in America and all around the world.?
8CN: You have matured and gotten so much better as a fighter since fans here saw you against Luevano, when will you come back to states?
?I will be back to fight in the states very soon, as we look to make some big fights for the fans.?
8CN: Are you still comfortable at featherweight as you have matured or do you think you will move up in weight?
I am definitely comfortable at featherweight but I do plan on moving up in weight in the future to challenge for other titles in due time.
8CN: What are your thoughts on Yuriorkis Gamboa and possibly facing him either in your country or ours?
?I think that would be a great fight for the fans and would definitely love to face him in either country. It would be a mega fight anywhere around the world.?
8CN: Billy, What about Orlando Salido in Mexico?
?Again, a fight of this magnitude would be great anywhere around the world.?
8CN: Thank you for your time and we wish you the best, can we continue to keep in touch as your career progresses?
?Thank you. Definitely!?
8CN: Anything you wish to say to your fans?
?I’d just like to say thank you for all your support, boxing would be non-existent without the fans. Keep an eye out as I look to dominate the Featherweight division in the coming years.?
Ciao!
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