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Liam Wilson decapitates Youseff Dib with ‘left hook from hell’

Two-time world title challenger Liam Wilson’s lightweight debut has ended in brutal scenes after a devastating finish against Youseff Dib.

Liam Wilson is back. Photo: Fox Sports
Liam Wilson is back. Photo: Fox Sports

Liam Wilson’s step up to lightweight has gone perfectly to plan after he KO'ed Youseff Dib in brutal scenes on Wednesday night.

On the undercard of the Sam Goodman-Chainoi Worawut fight night, Wilson threatened to steal the show with two stunning left hooks sending Dib to the canvas.

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Wilson has lost twice in the last 18 months in world championship fights at super featherweight, robbed in a match up with Emanuel Navarrette last February, before being dropped against Oscar Valdez in March.

While Dib has largely been an Australian journeyman at lightweight, he came into the fight with just the one loss, making it an intriguing match up for Wilson moving up in weight.

And the fight didn’t disappoint with Wilson getting tagged a few times and being left bleeding from the nose in the fifth.

But neither man slowed down in a hectic fight as the momentum shifted from round to round.

That was until the eighth round, when Wilson showed his world-class qualities.

After Wilson was dragged down by Dib in a headlock, the two-time world title challenger unleashed a savage left hook, which left his opponent hurt and leading up against the ropes.

And Wilson went for the kill, unloading a brutal left right on the button, leaving Dib requiring medical attention on the canvas.

“Liam Wilson with the left hook from hell,” Ben Damon said.

“Oh my goodness, that is devastating stuff.

“Liam Wilson, a world-class puncher, he has produced not one, but two absolutely monstrous shots that have sent Youseff Dib down and well and truly out.”

That was the beginning of the end. Photo: Fox Sports
That was the beginning of the end. Photo: Fox Sports
That was absolutely brutal. Photo: Fox Sports
That was absolutely brutal. Photo: Fox Sports

Barry Michael said the first shot was “six inches”, before the second one turned the lights out.

There was concern for Dib as he lay on the canvas but he was quickly helped to his stool.

Damon said Dib was “starting to have things his own way — he was on top”.

But Michael added that “one punch just changes everything”.

It’s not the first time Wilson has landed a devastating KO like that but against an opponent like Dib, who the commentators said was “having the fight of his life”, it’s one of the most important KO's he’s had.

Damon said it was “a fight of the year contender”, but it shows that Wilson is right at home at the higher weight-class.

Speaking after the fight, Wilson said he knew Dib would be a tough customer.

“I had to dig very deep, he has a very experienced corner, we knew that going into this camp,” Wilson said.

“He’s a tough competitor, he’s been around a long time, he’s fought some very good people and this is my first fight at lightweight as well.

“There were some tough moments in that fight. Youseff is a good fighter and we weren’t only worried about Youseff but his team as well.”

That's brutal. Photo: Fox Sports
That's brutal. Photo: Fox Sports

Wilson said his plan was to take the fight deep in his bid to “finally become world champion”.

He said that he only went to lightweight to book a fight with George Kambosos Jr. but added he wanted to stay at the new weight.

But he had a message for Kambosos.

“That’s all I want — doesn’t Australia want that as well?” Wilson said. “Let’s make a good fight for the fans and let’s get a fight happening.

“George, I have a good resume, you have a good resume. You’re coming off four losses, I think we should give the fight fans of Australia the fight they want.

“You’re a good fighter, I respect you, we’ve travelled together in Russia many years ago. You know who I am, I know who you are, let’s make the fight happen.”

Having been relegated to the undercard, the fight was easily the best of the night with the co-main between former NRL star Curtis Scott and ex-AFL hardman Barry Hall ending in a farcical first round KO to Scott.

Sam Goodman then won the main event against Chainoi Worawut with a unanimous decision to the Aussie.

Originally published as Liam Wilson decapitates Youseff Dib with ‘left hook from hell’

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/boxing-mma/liam-wilson-decapitates-youseff-dib-with-left-hook-from-hell/news-story/bf5868f7efdeb9934dc97817fd8dd909