Yamo shakes off ring rust

BOXER Rickson “Koroba Kid” Yamo last fought in July 26, 2009 and his effort against brawler Douglas “Steel” Walo last Sunday showed some of that ring rust.
A broken hand sustained in his third pro fight against Australian Brent Elliott three years ago and disagreements with promoters sidelined the 28-year-old.
Fighting as a junior welterweight (63.5kg) he earned a split decision against the Kairuku native in a drama-filled four rounder at the Sports Inn, Port Moresby.
Yamo, who has a professional record of five fights for three wins, a draw and a loss, used his edge in speed and power to score a decision over the bigger Walo in the main bout of the PNG Boxing Federation-sanctioned show.
The four judges saw proceedings differently with Robert Namana rewarding Walo’s no-holds-barred style (37-36), Steven Meta and Alex Riata had Yamo ahead (36-39) and (35-39) while the fourth adjudicator Reggie Powai scored the fight a draw (38-38).
Regardless of the disparity in scorecards, the 400-plus fans were treated to six knock downs between the two and some hard hitting action.
Yamo indicated post fight he was flat after a lengthy period out of the ring but felt he had done enough to secure the victory.
“To be honest, I felt a little flat going in but I’m glad I got the job done,” Yamo said on Tuesday.
“I think I was the smarter fighter, I got my shots off earlier and I didn’t let him dictate the exchanges the way he normally does,” Yamo, who knocked Walo down four times, said.
Walo had little to say after the decision but called for a return bout for a definitive result.
“I want a rematch,” was all Walo said as he left the ring – he will not get one until the middle of 2013.
The win has jump started Yamo’s career with the Hela man now in line for a shot at the PNGBF’s vacant Asia Pacific 63.5kg title belt in an Oct 21 meeting with Filipino opponent Jone Maxian.
Meanwhile in the day’s other professional bouts, featherweight (57.1kg) Jason “Thunder” Hayeu bludgeoned Kesis Raio stopping his over-matched opponent in two rounds.
In the lightweight (61kg) contest Johnson Kapus (2-0) kept his unbeaten pro record intact eking out a split decision over John Oscar while Mekeo’s Joe Kara (2-0) aka The Bullet, forced a gassed Dickson Dii to quit in the second round of their lightweight battle.
In the other bout, a junior welterweight face-off between veterans Kevin Baki and Henry George, “Ironman” Baki (6-0) easily romped to a unanimous decision. The 39-year-old has now won six fights in a row.