Liam Wilson-Youssef Dib boxing bout descends into chaos

Liam Wilson is heading for a world title blockbuster but will need time to recover after settling the most bitter rivalry in Australian boxing on a night violence threatened to extend beyond the ring.

Action from the Liam Wilson v Youssef Dib bout in Brisbane. Picture: Scott Davis / Ace Boxing

Liam Wilson is heading for a world title blockbuster but will need some time out to recover from a busted nose after settling the bitterest rivalry in Australian boxing on a night when the violence threatened to extend beyond the ring.

Wilson is in talks to fight WBC super-featherweight champion O’Shaquie Foster after scoring a unanimous decision win over Youssef Dib, but there was action outside the ring as well as, Dib’s older brother Billy needed to be restrained.

The flare-up happened after Wilson folded Dib with a controversial low blow left hook in the ninth round.

The fight was already fiery before the illegal shot, and Billy was furious at ringside, making a beeline for No Limit promoter Matt Rose.

Members of Wilson’s team rushed over to confront ‘Billy the Kid’, who was taken back to the corner by security.

Action from the Liam Wilson v Youssef Dib bout in Brisbane. Picture: Scott Davis / Ace Boxing

A still seething Dib took a seat right next to me, saying: “He’s a rat, he’s dirty,” as a security guard sat near him.

After 10 of the best rounds you’ll ever see in Australian boxing, Wilson emerged victorious with scores of 95-92, 96-91 and 96-91, and both fighters shrugged off the wild scenes that played out on the other side of the ropes moments earlier.

“It’s just heart and emotion and fighting pride. That’s it. No animosity,” Wilson said. “I could have a coffee with him right now.

“Fighting’s fighting, we do it in the ring.

“Sorry for the words, it’s just my heart and emotion.”

Liam Wilson lands a right on Youssef Dib in their heated bout in Brisbane. Picture: Scott Davis / Ace Boxing

Dib picked himself up off the canvas twice in the opening two rounds to turn what could have been an early night into an early contender for fight of the year.

“We went for it. I’m not the type that’s just gonna sit there, cruise and try to survive,” Dib said.

“He’s got that left hook, credit to him, he caught me nice and early.

“I worked my way into the fight, but he’s a hell of a fighter. That’s the way the cookie crumbles when you’re fighting a world class fighter.

“I’ve never been a quitter, I’ve never laid down.”

A massive right hand sent Dib to the canvas in the very first round, and Wilson verballed his corner as he waited for the referee to start the count.

Dib was dropped again early in the third, and Wilson again shouted at ‘Uwee’s’ corner.

But the Sydneysider fought back bravely, landing plenty of massive shots of his own in one of the best rounds of the year so far.

Youssef Dib bounced back from. Picture: Scott Davis / Ace Boxing

Dib continued his fightback in the third, a clean right hand opening a gash on the bridge of Wilson’s nose.

They needed to be separated at the end of the fourth, after mouthing off at each other and getting in each others’ face.

The exact same thing happened after the fifth and sixth rounds as Wilson followed Dib into his corner, unleashing another tirade each time.

They mouthed off at each other before the start of the eighth as well, with Dib needing to be held back by referee Chris Condon until the bell sounded.

The anger nearly boiled over when Wilson rabbit punched Dib in the stomach well after the bell to end the eighth, with Dib’s trainer Billy Hussein angrily remonstrating with Condon.

Dib almost staged a sensational comeback over the final rounds, and it would have been a much closer fight without the two early knockdowns.

Local rival George Kambosos and former opponent Emmanuel Navarrete are both on Wilson’s hitlist, but he was Foster and the world title first.

“There’s been some talks about O’Shaquie foster, boxing’s short, I want to make the most of it,” Wilson said afterwards. “I want to bring it to Brisbane.

“I love fighting, and I want to do it in front of these fans.”

Originally published as Liam Wilson-Youssef Dib boxing bout descends into chaos