Billy Dib

Bilal "Billy" Dib (born 17 August 1985) is a Australian professional boxer. He held the IBF featherweight title from 2011 to 2013, and the IBO super-featherweight title in 2008.

Billy Dib
Statistics
Real nameBilal Dib
Nickname(s)Billy the Kid
Weight(s)
Height1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)
Reach179 cm (70 in)
NationalityAustralian
Born (1985-08-17) 17 August 1985
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
StanceMuslim
Boxing record
Total fights55
Wins47
Wins by KO27
Losses6
No contests2

After a brief retirement following a loss to Tevin Farmer in 2018, Dib returned to the ring in August 2019, losing in a WBC welterweight title fight to Amir Khan.[1][2]

Early years

Dib was born on 17 August 1985 at St George Hospital (Sydney)|Kogarah Hospital]] in Sydney, Australia.[3] He has suffered from chronic asthma since birth, and he spent the first six months of his life in an incubator fighting the ailment. He took up boxing at the age of 12 to try to overcome the condition.[3][4][5] His parents had emigrated to Australia from Lebanon, and owned a small greengrocer store in Engadine, where he grew up.[3][6] His brother is politician Jihad Dib.[7]

Amateur career

After starting boxing at the age of 12 at the local Police and Community Youth Club (PCYC), he soon began appearing in amateur competitions, winning 98 out of 113 bouts. During this period he was the Australian Champion on three occasions, and he was selected to train at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).[3] However, his preparation for the 2004 Olympic Games was hindered by a motorcycle accident, and he was not selected for the Australian team. He subsequently turned down an offer to join Lebanon's Olympic team, arguing that he had been representing Australia and wouldn't feel right if drawn against an Australian in the tournament as Australia was his, and his family's home.[8]

After missing out on the Olympics Dib traveled to Sheffield to train with Prince Naseem Hamed, who encouraged him to turn professional.[3]

Professional career

Dib's first professional fight was against Chad Roy Naidu in August 2004, as an 18-year-old.[3][9] He won, and subsequently went on to win the next 20 bouts, not losing until October 2008, against Steven Luevano.[9] Dib traveled to the United States in 2006, after being offered the opportunity to train with Mike Tyson. While there he met Shane Mosley, and this led to Dib signing with Golden Boy Promotions.[3]

IBO super-featherweight title challenge

On 30 July 2008, Billy Dib faced South African Zolani Marali for the IBO super featherweight title. Although Marali had a greater reach, and despite being knocked down in the third round, Dib was able to win on a unanimous points decision (116-114, 116-112 and 114-113), allowing him to capture the title.[10]

WBO featherweight title challenge

Billy Dib fought against Steven Luevano, the WBO featherweight champion, on 18 October 2008. He was unsuccessful, losing to Luevano in a unanimous points decision. After the match Dib announced that he would come back as a better boxer, stating that he would learn from the experience.[11]

Return after first loss

On Wednesday, 11 March 2009, at the Campbelltown Cube in Sydney, Dib returned to the ring in a spectacular performance, beating 22-year-old local Campbelltown fighter undefeated Davey Browne Jnr via an 8th round technical decision after Browne was cut above both eyes. The first cut opened after an accidental head clash, while the second came from a clean punch. The fight was stopped on the first cut and went to the scorecards.

On 9 July 2009, Billy Dib and Kenichi Yamaguchi were the main event on One HD's first Superboxer promotion. After being knocked down during the opening stages of the first round, Dib rallied late in the piece to down Yamaguchi.[12] While Yamaguchi was on his knees, Dib hit him with a late left-handed punch,[12][13] and although Yamaguchi returned to his feet, he appeared unsteady, leading the referee to stop the fight at 2:59 seconds of the first round in Dib's favour. As Yamaguchi protested the call to the referee Dib without reason shoved Yamaguchi as well as his trainer sparking a small brawl between the two corners.[12]

Questions regarding the decision were raised after the fight, with some expressing the belief that the punch constituted a foul, and thus Yamaguchi should either have been given time to recover, the fight declared a no-contest, or Dib should have been disqualified.[13]

Subsequently, the NSW Boxing Authority announced that they are undertaking an investigation into the events,[14] and at their monthly board meeting on 4 August, the officials determined to change the result to a no-contest.[15]

IBF featherweight champion

After nine straight victories, on July 2011 Dib took on longtime contender Jorge Lacierva and captured the IBF Featherweight belt via Unanimous Decision. Occasionally getting involved in some wild exciting exchanges, for the most part he boxed a disciplined fight, out-boxing his smaller opponent.

On 19 November 2011, Billy made the first defense of his title, knocking out Italian challenger Alberto Servidei in 2:38 of the first round from a left hook to the body.[16]

Dib made his second title defense against Eduardo Escobedo on 7 March 2012 in retaining his title with a seventh-round TKO, his aggressive body attack broke down Escobedo who did not come out for round seven.

He lost the title to Evgeny Gradovich on 1 March 2013. A rematch between the two was scheduled for 23 November 2013, when Evgeny Gradovich won by TKO in the 9th round..

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
54 fights 46 wins 6 losses
By knockout 26 3
By decision 19 3
By disqualification 1 0
No contests 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
54 Win 46–6 (2) Van Thao Tran UD 10 21 Dec 2019 Hurstville Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia
53 Loss 45–6 (2) Amir Khan TKO 4 (12), 1:06 12 Jul 2019 King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia For vacant WBC International welterweight title
52 Win 45–5 (2) Fonluang Sor Singyu KO 1 (8), 2:25 26 Apr 2019 Hurstville Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia
51 Loss 44–5 (2) Tevin Farmer UD 12 3 Aug 2018 Technology Park, Sydney, Australia For vacant IBF super featherweight title
50 Win 44–4 (2) Rachamongkol Sor Pleonchit KO 2 (8) 31 Dec 2017 Ambassador Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
49 Win 43–4 (2) Khunkhiri Wor Wisaruth UD 8 2 Dec 2017 Mediterranean House, Sydney, Australia
48 NC 42–4 (2) Yardley Armenta Cruz NC 3 (8), 3:00 29 Jul 2017 Barclays Center, New York City, New York, US NC after Cruz was cut from an accidental head clash
47 Win 42–4 (1) Emilio Norfat TKO 1 (10), 0:52 16 Dec 2016 Emporium Function Centre, Sydney, Australia
46 Win 41–4 (1) Pharanpetch Tor Buamas UD 12 3 Jun 2016 Emporium Function Centre, Sydney, Australia Won vacant IBF Australasian junior lightweight title
45 Win 40–4 (1) Sukkasem Kietyongyuth UD 8 26 Feb 2016 Emporium Function Centre, Sydney, Australia
44 Loss 39–4 (1) Takashi Miura TKO 3 (12), 1:29 1 May 2015 Ōta General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan For WBC super-featherweight title
43 Win 39–3 (1) Isaias Santos Sampaio TKO 2 (12), 1:22 6 Dec 2014 Hurstville Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia Won vacant PABA super-featherweight title
42 Win 38–3 (1) Ruben Manakane KO 8 (10), 2:54 31 Oct 2014 Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
41 Win 37–3 (1) Alberto Garza UD 10 2 Jul 2014 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, US
40 Loss 36–3 (1) Evgeny Gradovich TKO 9 (12), 1:10 24 Nov 2013 Cotai Arena, Macau, SAR For IBF featherweight title
39 Win 36–2 (1) Mike Oliver MD 10 7 Jul 2013 Convention Center, Hartford, Connecticut, US
38 Loss 35–2 (1) Evgeny Gradovich SD 12 1 Mar 2013 MGM Grand at Foxwoods, Ledyard, Connecticut, US Lost IBF featherweight title
37 Win 35–1 (1) Juan Antonio Rodríguez UD 10 13 Jul 2012 Orion Function Centre, Sydney, Australia
36 Win 34–1 (1) Eduardo Escobedo RTD 6 (12), 3:00 7 Mar 2012 Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart, Australia Retained IBF featherweight title
35 Win 33–1 (1) Alberto Servidei KO 1 (12), 2:38 19 Nov 2011 Homebush Sports Centre, Sydney, Australia Retained IBF featherweight title
34 Win 32–1 (1) Jorge Lacierva UD 12 29 Jul 2011 State Sports Centre, Sydney, Australia Won vacant IBF featherweight title
33 Win 31–1 (1) Ricky Sismundo TKO 8 (8), 1:51 12 Mar 2011 WA Italian Club, Perth, Australia
32 Win 30–1 (1) Mick Shaw KO 6 (8), 1:46 8 Dec 2010 Acer Arena, Sydney, Australia
31 Win 29–1 (1) Jack Asis KO 4 (8), 2:18 15 Sep 2010 WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, Australia
30 Win 28–1 (1) Ceferino Dario Labarda TKO 6 (8), 0:01 2 Sep 2010 Le Montage, Sydney, Australia
29 Win 27–1 (1) Wacharakrit Senahan KO 1 (12), 1:24 2 Jun 2010 WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, Australia Won vacant IBF Pan Pacific featherweight title
28 Win 26–1 (1) Reynaldo Belandres KO 6 (8), 1:40 8 Apr 2010 Le Montage, Sydney, Australia
27 Win 25–1 (1) Carlos Lopez KO 6 (8), 1:28 6 Mar 2010 Sharkies Leagues Club, Sydney, Australia
26 Win 24–1 (1) Roel Mangan UD 8 18 Dec 2009 Sharkies Leagues Club, Sydney, Australia
25 Win 23–1 (1) Flash Villacura RTD 4 (8), 3:00 11 Oct 2009 Punchbowl Croatian Club, Sydney, Australia
24 NC 22–1 (1) Kenichi Yamaguchi NC 1 (12), 2:59 9 Jul 2009 Luna Park, Sydney, Australia Vacant WBO Asia Pacific interim featherweight title at stake;
Originally a TKO win for Dib, later ruled an NC after incorrect referee call
23 Win 22–1 Davey Browne Jr. TD 8 (10) 11 Mar 2009 Campbelltown Convention Centre, Sydney, Australia Won IBF Pan Pacific Youth and WBC Youth interim featherweight titles;
Split TD after Browne was cut from an accidental head clash
22 Loss 21–1 Steven Luevano UD 12 18 Oct 2008 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US For WBO featherweight title
21 Win 21–0 Zolani Marali UD 12 30 Jul 2008 Entertainment Centre, Newcastle, Australia Won vacant IBO super-featherweight title
20 Win 20–0 Rey Anton Olarte TKO 3 (8), 2:33 27 Jun 2008 Campbelltown Catholic Club, Sydney, Australia
19 Win 19–0 Leon Maratas TKO 5 (8), 1:58 16 May 2008 Orion Function Centre, Sydney, Australia
18 Win 18–0 Edgar Fabian Vargas SD 10 22 Mar 2008 Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, US
17 Win 17–0 Rogers Mtagwa UD 8 10 Nov 2007 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
16 Win 16–0 Jose Alberto Gonzalez UD 8 5 May 2007 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, US
15 Win 15–0 Carlos Contreras UD 10 10 Feb 2007 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, US
14 Win 14–0 Phillip Payne UD 8 2 Dec 2006 St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida, US
13 Win 13–0 Feliciano Dario Azuaga TKO 5 (10), 1:06 4 Aug 2006 Campbelltown Catholic Club, Sydney, Australia Retained IBO Asia Pacific featherweight title
12 Win 12–0 Ruben Santillanosa KO 4 (10), 2:32 23 Jun 2006 Blacktown RSL Club, Sydney, Australia Won vacant IBO Asia Pacific featherweight title
11 Win 11–0 Ariel Omongos TKO 1 (4), 2:47 17 May 2006 Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia
10 Win 10–0 Imad Khamis PTS 6 26 Nov 2005 Hallam FM Arena, Sheffield, England
9 Win 9–0 Rey Martizano TKO 1 (8), 2:47 7 Oct 2005 Campbelltown Catholic Club, Sydney, Australia
8 Win 8–0 Jesar Ancajas DQ 5 (10), 1:31 16 Sep 2005 Blacktown RSL Club, Sydney, Australia Retained IBO Asia Pacific super-featherweight title
7 Win 7–0 Michael Kizza KO 2 (10), 2:29 24 Aug 2005 Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia Retained IBO Asia Pacific super-featherweight title
6 Win 6–0 Roberto Oyan UD 12 24 Apr 2005 State Sports Centre, Sydney, Australia Won vacant IBO Asia Pacific super-featherweight title
5 Win 5–0 John Min KO 2 (10), 1:40 10 Dec 2004 Hurstville Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia Won vacant Australian super-featherweight title
4 Win 4–0 Rolando Gerongco UD 6 29 Oct 2004 State Sports Centre, Sydney, Australia
3 Win 3–0 Kraisamut Hothaisong KO 4 (6), 1:22 8 Oct 2004 Panthers World of Entertainment, Penrith, Australia
2 Win 2–0 Binnu Singh KO 3 (6) 17 Sep 2004 State Sports Centre, Sydney, Australia
1 Win 1–0 Chad Roy Naidu TKO 4 (4), 1:34 15 Aug 2004 State Sports Centre, Sydney, Australia

References

  1. Christ, Scott (3 August 2018). "Billy Dib announces retirement from boxing". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  2. "Khan beats Dib in Saudi Arabia bout". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  3. "Bilal "Billy The Kid" Dib". Golden Boy Promotions. Golden Boy Promotions. 2006. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  4. Kieza, Grantlee (30 December 2005). "Opportunity knocks for crowd-pleaser Dib". Daily Telegraph. p. 73.
  5. Kieza, Grantlee (16 August 2007). "Aussie boxer aims for featherweight title". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  6. Macdougall, Adam (29 November 2014). "Billy Dib bullied for being a Muslim: How the champion boxer KOd his tormentors". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  7. Kieza, Grantlee (13 November 2013). "Billy Dib inspired by brother Jihad for title fight against Evgeny Gradovich". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  8. Lane, Daniel (19 October 2009). "No kidding: Dib reveals Lebanon snub". The Sun-Herald. p. 81.
  9. Boxing record for Billy Dib from BoxRec
  10. Nicolussi, Christian (1 August 2008). "Moment Billy Dib knew title was his". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  11. "Dib suffers first defeat, vows to return". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 October 2008. Archived from the original on 13 October 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  12. "Dib victory sparks ugly scenes". Brisbane Times. 10 July 2009. Archived from the original on 11 July 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  13. Pandaram, Jamie (11 July 2009). "Dib gives supporters an uppercut after all-in brawl". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  14. Kent, Paul (11 July 2009). "Inquiry launched into Billy Dib brawl". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  15. "NSW Authority Changes Dib-Yamaguchi to No Contest". SecondsOut.com.au. 18 August 2009. Archived from the original on 28 September 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2009.
  16. Warren, Adrian (19 November 2011). "Dib retains IBF title with 1st round KO". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Ben Cruz
Australian
super-featherweight champion

10 December 2004 – April 2005
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Ahmed Elomar
New title IBO Asia Pacific
super-featherweight champion

24 April 2005 – May 2006
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Allan Luxford
Vacant
Title last held by
Ahmed Elomar
IBO Asia Pacific
featherweight champion

23 June 2006 – December 2006
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Afrizal Cotto
Preceded by
Davey Browne Jr.
IBF Pan Pacific Youth
featherweight champion

11 March 2009 – July 2009
Vacated
Title discontinued
WBC Youth
featherweight champion
Interim title

11 March 2009 – October 2009
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Davey Browne Jr.
Vacant
Title last held by
Surasak Makordae
IBF Pan Pacific
featherweight champion

2 June 2010 – 29 July 2011
Won world title
Vacant
Title next held by
Aekkawee Kaewmanee
Vacant
Title last held by
Terdsak Kokietgym
PABA
super-featherweight champion

6 December 2010 – May 2015
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Corey McConnell
New title IBF Australasian
super-featherweight champion

3 June 2016 – August 2018
Vacated
Vacant
Minor world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Cassius Baloyi
IBO super-featherweight champion
30 July 2008 – October 2008
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Zolani Marali
Major world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Yuriorkis Gamboa
IBF featherweight champion
29 July 2011 – 1 March 2013
Succeeded by
Evgeny Gradovich
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