Thunderdome 45 kicked off what looks to be an exciting year for Perth boxing last Friday, as fans were treated to yet another great night of fights at the Metro City Night Club in Northbridge.
The card also gave an introduction to the up-and-coming prospects that are coming out of Western Australia, as they all had fantastic performances.
The headliner saw Perth standout Jordan Laruccia (7-0) kept his undefeated record intact, by defeating Wellem Reyek in dominant fashion.
Fellow young guns Joel Lewis (4-0) and Jude Grant (6-0) both captured state championship glory with victories of their own.
Jordan Laruccia defeats Wellem Reyek
In the Main Event Jordan Laruccia overcame his most experienced test to date, after knocking out Wellem Reyek in what was a brilliant showing.
Coming into the fight, Laruccia had just captured the Australasian Super Welterweight Title against Fano Kori last September.
To kick off his 2024 campaign, the Perth native returned to the Middleweight division to take on Reyek, who had a resume of over 50 fights.
On the night However, Laruccia made a statement in his performance as he defeated the Indonesian in dominant fashion to advance his record to 7-0.
The first round got off to a quick start with Laruccia looking the more polished boxer, as he mixed up his shots well to throw off his opponent. Reyek would land some punches in the pocket but they had no effect on the Aussie.
Laruccia would turn up the aggression in the second round, as he started to have more success with body shots as per advice from his corner.
After a flurry on the ropes in the third round
Laruccia wobbled Reyek with a crisp left hook. The Aussie chased the finish and he finally got it after another left hook that sent his opponent to the ground.
Reyek was not able to answer the count, giving the undefeated the Perth native a knockout win.
In the post-fight interview, Laruccia had expressed his desire to fight over East.
The win for Laruccia last night takes him another step closer to national stardom and with the skills he possesses, it’s only a matter of time before a fight outside of the west becomes a reality.
Joel Lewis defeats Bahtiyar Sonyol
In the Co-Main Event Joel Lewis brutally finished Bahtiyar Sonyol to capture the West Australian State welterweight title.
The State title win marks the first in Lewis’ career, as he also advances his undefeated record to 4-0.
Lewis started the fight off strong, as he dropped Sonyol with a straight left down the pipe within the first 30 seconds of the first round.
The knockdown would ultimately set the tone for the fight, as the Aussie was a step ahead of his opponent in terms of his movement and punches.
Lewis continued his onslaught in the second round, as he constantly rocked his opponent. Sonyol tried his best to trap his Lewis against the ropes but the Aussie proved to be too slick.
Early into the third round Lewis put the final nail in the coffin, after landing a massive uppercut that once again sent Sonyol crashing to the canvas. Sonyol was able to rise to his feet but the referee waved off the contest, Declaring Joel Lewis the winner by TKO.
Jude Grant defeats Mitch Arnold
Jude Grant added yet another state title to his resume when he defeated Mitch Arnold in what was a lopsided fight.
The title win at Super Middleweight marks Grant’s third state title, after winning belts in the Super Welterweight and Middleweight divisions.
The first round started off as a feeling out process with Grant using his jab to good effect. Arnold tried his best to use his head movement to avoid the straight punches coming to him, but Grant managed to catch him consistently.
In the second round Grant turned up his aggression as he started to land bigger shots. Arnold would try to corner his southpaw opponent late, but Grant was able to use his angles well to escape.
In the third round Grant started going to the body as per the advice from his corner whilst continuing to dictate the fight by using his lead foot to angle away from his opponent.
Grant continued his assault on the body in round four, as he started to land more flush.
In the closing seconds of the round, Grant connected with a huge left hand that wobbled Arnold.
The Perth Native pressed for the finish but he didn’t have enough time as the fight went the distance.
Despite not getting the stoppage, Grant was declared the winner by unanimous decision.
Full Card Results
Jordan Laruccia DEFEATED Willem Reyek (Round 3 KO)
Joel Lewis DEFEATED Bahtiyar Sonyol (Round 3 TKO)
Jude Grant DEFEATED Mitch Arnold (Unanimous Decision)
Lewis Clarke DEFEATED Ranjeet Singh (Unanimous Decision)
Milan Bevk DEFEATED Lennox Caraynidis (Unanimous Decision)
Richard Lockett DEFEATED Asyer Aluman (Round 1TKO)
Habib Kheirkhah DEFEATED Jack Thompson (Unanimous Decision)
Kevin Kophamel DEFEATED Tio Caraynidis (Majority Decision)
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