WERRIBEE-raised boxer Ibrahim Balla has triumphed in a battle to the death over Moroccan brawler Aboubakr Seddik Lbida in the round of 32 of the men’s 56kg bantam division at the London Olympics this morning.
The two fighters of contrasting styles had a ripper of a bout with the judges ruling a 16-all draw after three fast and furious rounds.
Balla would take the victory on countback and you could not deny him that honour as he got better as the fight wore on.
Lbida was heartbroken, feeling he did enough to secure the win and burst into tears upon hearing the verdict.
Balla was a nervous starter. The fresh faced 21 year old appeared to be jolted on a couple of occasions in the opening round by Lbida’s long reach and powerful fists.
The validity of Lbida’s blows came into question and the judges gave the round to Balla 7-6 much to the displeasure of the crowd.
The one-point advantage appeared to buoy Balla. The Balla’s Boxing Gym prodigy came out with a renewed sense of belief to immediately have Lbida on the back foot.
But what Lbida lacked in speed and nous, he made up for with strength and reach, and landed the most significant punches of the round to move ahead 12-11 after two.
The message from Balla’s red corner heading into the third round was to leave nothing in reserve.
Trailing by a point, it was do or die stuff for the young Australian.
Balla responded to his camp by producing the round of his life.
For the first time in the fight, Balla got his combinations working at close quarters, landing shots in bunches and with more regularity as Lbida backpedalled helplessly.
The judges awarded the third round 5-4 to Balla, leaving the best fight of the opening day to be decided using the countback formula.
Balla got the nod. He moves into the round of 16 to face Bulgarian Detelin Dalakliev in another night session contest on Thursday morning (Australian time).
London 2012
Men’s boxing
Bantam 56kg division: Round of 32: Ibrahim Balla (Australia) drew with Aboubakr Seddik Lbida (Morocco) 16-16 (Balla wins on countback)
