Billy Dib welcomes a re-match with Kenichi Yamaguchi

[Contendo]

Billy Dib and Team BTK wish to respond to the media, supporters, boxing fans and the Australian public following his victory over Kenichi ‘MachineGun’ Yamaguchi of Japan for the WBO Asia-Pacific Featherweight Title bout on opening night of the ‘SuperBoxer’ series held at ‘The Big Top’, Luna Park, Sydney.

Firstly, as a team, we thank everyone who has sent their wishes both pre, and following the bout and to the supporters who brought corporate packages and tickets to support Billy at the venue.

Billy and Team BTK wish to express disappointment of the actions of those who trespassed into the ring post the bout. As a team we in no way, shape or form condone this form of behaviour. Whilst we understand the highly charged atmosphere of the main event, both parties Dib and Yamaguchi, did not wish to see the behaviour of spectators following the bout.

Billy Dib wishes to acknowledge his fellow combatant – Kenichi Yamaguchi and out of respect for him, is willing to re-match for the respective title.

BTK Management wish to today announce Billy’s willingness, offer and commitment to a potential re-match for Kenichi, and hopefully a new date can be finalised in the future.

We at Team BTK again express our disappointment of those who trespassed into the ring, and emphasise, we do not, and will never condone ring intrusions by any individual. Billy Dib has proudly fought for Australia on 24 occasions as a professional in all parts of the world and over 100 times in a distinguished amateur career and would never wish for any slight on boxing as a sport, and a sport that has afforded him wonderful opportunities and life-long, cherished memories.


Billy Dib Quote –

“I am proud to have fought on Superboxer and I thank Kenichi for coming out to Australia for the contest. As a proud fighter, if he feels I didn’t win, out of respect, I want to give him that shot and wish for a re-match”.

“I have asked my management to make the bout happen, and to be fair, that means anywhere. I want the opportunity to validate that I am the better fighter and we can contest the bout properly”.

“Actions on both parties caused events to escalate and emotions were high. I want to make it clear that I never wanted, and never would want for ring intrusions and am disappointed at all concerned for entering the ring. SuperBoxer is something to be proud of for the Australian boxing fans, and inviting the Australian general public to see first-hand the talented boxers we have. I dearly want this fight to happen again for all to see what a great fight it would be between Kenichi and I.”


As a footnote, after the bout last week, both teams came together post-bout in the dressing rooms and talked (via an interpreter), acknowledging one another, posing for photos as a sign of respect for each other.

[Marlin]

Interesting bit of PR work Contendo

[toppity]

agree Marlin.

However this is not the first incident is it? Why does this issue (post fight problems) seem to follow Billy around?

[Contendo]

Thank you for your comments.

As Billy Dib's manager, this release has been circulated today to various media outlets and including websites such as http://www.boxrec.com

This is the stated intentions of Billy Dib and Team BTK and as such forums such as these have a right to receive such information to keep all boxing fans clearly abreast of new information.

Thank you,

Nathan Butler

Contendo - Sports Management & Marketing

[buster007]

the irreversable damage has been done.

and don't for a second blame the other fighters team and/or supporters.


billy dib and his entourage are at fault and there should be bans for some of these fools.

no apology from billy on his actions during or after the fight, just disapointment about other peoples actions. i suppose they just followed his behaviour by the looks of it.

i can't believe some of the heros that jumped into the ring after things settled a bit and arced up like they were paid security. its funny how they were cocky when there were 3 or 4 in the japs entourage and a dozen in billys. real brave aren't they, lol.

[buster007]

i welcome his team responding on here too. it can't be easy to deal with these things after they happen.

[Beltane]

The funny thing is that while the Dibster goes to great lengths in denouncing the boofheads who jumped in to the ring, sadly he makes no mention of his foul blow, which caused the bout to meet it's ridiculous end and should have ended in his disqualification.

[toppity]

The funny thing is that while the Dibster goes to great lengths in denouncing the boofheads who jumped in to the ring, sadly he makes no mention of his foul blow, which caused the bout to meet it's ridiculous end and should have ended in his disqualification.

Not that i'm jumping to his defence but he did say in the quote above "Actions on both parties caused events to escalate and emotions were high".

Although i'm sure he meant "by" both parties...i got the idea.

[Hounddawg]

Billy Dib and Team BTK wish to respond to the media, supporters, boxing fans and the Australian public following his victory over Kenichi ‘MachineGun’ Yamaguchi of Japan for the WBO Asia-Pacific Featherweight Title bout on opening night of the ‘SuperBoxer’ series held at ‘The Big Top’, Luna Park, Sydney.

Firstly, as a team, we thank everyone who has sent their wishes both pre, and following the bout and to the supporters who brought corporate packages and tickets to support Billy at the venue.

Billy and Team BTK wish to express disappointment of the actions of those who trespassed into the ring post the bout. As a team we in no way, shape or form condone this form of behaviour. Whilst we understand the highly charged atmosphere of the main event, both parties Dib and Yamaguchi, did not wish to see the behaviour of spectators following the bout.

Billy Dib wishes to acknowledge his fellow combatant – Kenichi Yamaguchi and out of respect for him, is willing to re-match for the respective title.

BTK Management wish to today announce Billy’s willingness, offer and commitment to a potential re-match for Kenichi, and hopefully a new date can be finalised in the future.

We at Team BTK again express our disappointment of those who trespassed into the ring, and emphasise, we do not, and will never condone ring intrusions by any individual. Billy Dib has proudly fought for Australia on 24 occasions as a professional in all parts of the world and over 100 times in a distinguished amateur career and would never wish for any slight on boxing as a sport, and a sport that has afforded him wonderful opportunities and life-long, cherished memories.


Billy Dib Quote –

“I am proud to have fought on Superboxer and I thank Kenichi for coming out to Australia for the contest. As a proud fighter, if he feels I didn’t win, out of respect, I want to give him that shot and wish for a re-match”.

“I have asked my management to make the bout happen, and to be fair, that means anywhere. I want the opportunity to validate that I am the better fighter and we can contest the bout properly”.

“Actions on both parties caused events to escalate and emotions were high. I want to make it clear that I never wanted, and never would want for ring intrusions and am disappointed at all concerned for entering the ring. SuperBoxer is something to be proud of for the Australian boxing fans, and inviting the Australian general public to see first-hand the talented boxers we have. I dearly want this fight to happen again for all to see what a great fight it would be between Kenichi and I.”


As a footnote, after the bout last week, both teams came together post-bout in the dressing rooms and talked (via an interpreter), acknowledging one another, posing for photos as a sign of respect for each other.

I think thats the best scenario a rematch, i personally don't think Yamaguchi stands a chance and his 15-1 record flatters him, but to attemp to put things right a rematch is necassary.

If team Hussien have learn't anything it should be that the only people who walk or enter the ring are Dib,Billy and the cutman, everyone else spectate and that's it.

Sooooooooooooooooooo is Billy Dib still the face of superboxer?

[Sweet P]

This is crap IMO. Dib hasn't admitted he hit the guy whilst down and acted like a goose afterwards. The people entered the ring Because Dib pushed his opponent and Justin Footit. If he acted with some class it wouldnt have happened.

Rematching him isnt going to change the fact that he made Boxing Look like comedy hour. Especially on the first free to Air show in 20 years.

Dibs Comments

if he feels I didn’t win, out of respect, I want to give him that shot and wish for a re-match”.

He probably feels you punched him whilst he was on his knee's. After he had slipped. Which you did.

[Hounddawg]

The only thing i really want to know about, and would love to hear from Team Hussien, HAS THIS JEAPORDISED FREE TO AIR TELECASTS, HAS THIS INCIDENT COST BOXING A CHANCE TO BECOME A MAINSTREAM SPORT?

WILL WE SEE MORE SHOWS AFTER JULY?

Please respond

[Sweet P]

I dont blame Team Hussien.

Its the hang ons that think there hard becuase there mate is a fighter.

[adnileb]

What happened last week is now in the past. Whats more important is what happens from today onwards...Yes I do agree, what happened in the ring doesn't look good for boxing in general, depending on what view you look at it from. Some of my mates actually found it quite entertaining with all the fiasco after Billys fight. Personally I thought it was funny to an extent. Reports in the media will only generate more public interest which is what Channel oneHD want, even though some of the reports were exaggerated. (Daily telegraph )

For those speculating regarding Channel 10 pulling the plug, its all talk. I spoke with a close friend at channel 10 and she has confirmed they will continue to run with the promos and evaluate on a monthly basis to determine whether its feasible to continue. More so the financial risks vs rewards. The best we can do is tune in or go and support the shows...

[Hounddawg]

Well said adnileb, I hoped it would be chalked up to entertinment, or just forgotten about, but every forum i've gone to wants to talk about it, and nothing mentioned about the good fights from Bolling and Vea, just the last one.

Mate I hope your right, and seeing that the first show was capacity, I hope the rest are.

[Hounddawg]

I dont blame Team Hussien.

Its the hang ons that think there hard becuase there mate is a fighter.

I agree mate, I don't think it's team Hussien, but they do post here, and they should know first hand the severity of the situation.

[geenolv]

I'm a boxing fan from Las Vegas,Nv. I've been to many pro fights here and around the United States and I have to say that what I've seen from the replays on the web make boxing in Australia look like a joke.The referee was completely incompetent and was either paid off or biased to allow and obvious foul to be ignored. It was an intentional foul too.It wasn't part of a combination as the fighter was going down ,which is a part of boxing.It was a horrible cheap shot at a defenseless fighter which makes Dib a complete loser and coward.For him to not even acknowledge he did anything wrong is a joke.He was 100% responsible for what happened and to try to pass the blame around shows how little character he has.That the Japanese fihgter was able to speak with him after the fight shows who the man with honor is.I've also never seen such biased and blantant hometown commentating in my life.Even after seeing the clear foul the loser doing the interview says what a great job Dib did.If Dib has any balls or character at all he will insist the rematch take place no where else but in Japan with a Japanese referee and judges.I'm guessing from what I've seen of him that will not be the case.He seems to be a coward who can't fight without every advantge in his favor including a crowd of morons backing him up.

[toppity]

^^it's a fair neutral(?) observation. the only thing that'll i say is that he bloke doing the interviewisnot a loser. I may not agree with what he said this time, but he isn't a loser.

[Joe Corona]

That is absolutely pathetic and anybody who buys that is a sheep and cant think for themselves.

IMO that PR job makes things worse!

Why? Dib caused the fracus, and never once admits fault for ANY of it.

HE punched Yamaguchi whilst he was down, and BILLY DIB pushed Yamaguchi and started the mess.

and never once does he even address this.

Dib is the problem here, and will never have my support ever again.

[Sweet P]

I dont think anyone has bought it mate, We are thinking the same as you.

[Marlin]

Bo Donaldson might have something to say about Billy...

[toppity]

Bo Donaldson might have something to say about Billy...

:??

[Marlin]

Bo Donaldson might have something to say about Billy...

:??

I actually thought out of anyone you would get that

[toppity]

Bo Donaldson might have something to say about Billy...

:??

I actually thought out of anyone you would get that

I had to google

[geenolv]

^^it's a fair neutral(?) observation. the only thing that'll i say is that he bloke doing the interviewisnot a loser. I may not agree with what he said this time, but he isn't a loser.

He may not be a loser to you but if he was any nicer to Dib he would have been on his knees giving him oral instead of just kissing his ass.
The worst boxing commentator of all time.

[rmz]

To the Dib Camp:

You blame the chaos of that night on people who entered the ring. What you fail to mention is that it was Billy Dib himself who fouled Yamaguchi while he was down. He hit him with a clearly intentional blow while he was on the canvas. After the fight, Billy shoved Yamaguchi and one of his cornermen. It was Billy himself who added fuel to the riot. I was disgusted with Dib's actions and I have no intention of ever watching another one of his fights. I have also told all my friends and family to watch Billy Dib's fight with Yamaguchi and they all agreed that his actions were cowardly and uncalled for. None of us plan on watching Billy fight again. Your statement that you have released shows that Billy is not remorseful for his actions as he takes no blame for what occurred that night. I hope that the result of his fight with Yamaguchi is changed to a NC and I also hope he receives a lengthy ban from the sport.