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 name | Bilal Dib |
| Nickname(s) | Billy the Kid |
| Weight(s) | |
| Height | 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Reach | 179 cm (70 in) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Born | 17 August 1985 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Stance | Muslim |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 55 |
| Wins | 47 |
| Wins by KO | 27 |
| Losses | 6 |
| No contests | 2 |
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
| 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
- Christ, Scott (3 August 2018). "Billy Dib announces retirement from boxing". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
- "Khan beats Dib in Saudi Arabia bout". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
- "Bilal "Billy The Kid" Dib". Golden Boy Promotions. Golden Boy Promotions. 2006. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
- Kieza, Grantlee (30 December 2005). "Opportunity knocks for crowd-pleaser Dib". Daily Telegraph. p. 73.
- Kieza, Grantlee (16 August 2007). "Aussie boxer aims for featherweight title". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
- 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.
- Kieza, Grantlee (13 November 2013). "Billy Dib inspired by brother Jihad for title fight against Evgeny Gradovich". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- Lane, Daniel (19 October 2009). "No kidding: Dib reveals Lebanon snub". The Sun-Herald. p. 81.
- Boxing record for Billy Dib from BoxRec
- Nicolussi, Christian (1 August 2008). "Moment Billy Dib knew title was his". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
- "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.
- "Dib victory sparks ugly scenes". Brisbane Times. 10 July 2009. Archived from the original on 11 July 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
- Pandaram, Jamie (11 July 2009). "Dib gives supporters an uppercut after all-in brawl". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
- Kent, Paul (11 July 2009). "Inquiry launched into Billy Dib brawl". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
- "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.
- Warren, Adrian (19 November 2011). "Dib retains IBF title with 1st round KO". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
External links
| 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 | ||