Alex Winwood KOs world No.13 Tibo Monabesa in second pro bout
By Clinton Wolf
Photo credit: Dragon Fire Boxing / Mike Ohara
Australia has a potential new boxing superstar and his name is Alex Winwood
On Friday, March 3rd, 25-year-old Alex Winwood (2-0, 2KO) destroyed a former IBO World light-flyweight champion in four rounds at the Metro City in Perth to win the WBC International light-flyweight title.
The 2020 Olympian defeated Tibo Monabesa (21-2-2, 8KO) in the first minute of the fourth round, demonstrating, in front of a packed, roaring crowd in Northbridge, the kind of crushing power he possesses in both hands that can end a fight in one punch.
Winwood's workrate from the opening bell culminated in a knockdown in round three. The Perth puncher landed a strong left hook to Tibo's right side, then he tapped away with his left jab on the southpaw's guard to get him to open up and, when he did, he unleashed an hellacious right uppercut which landed right on the button to spin the Indonesian's head around and send him sprawling backwards.
Tibo bravely rose to his feet, but Winwood came straight back out to the centre of the ring patiently knocking on the door with his jab again, before whipping out the Sugar Ray Robinson trick of pulling down the guard and hitting through the opening. He used his left hand to pull down Tibo's left glove then immediately unleashed a rocking right hook which stiffened the Asian's legs visibly. Winwood chased him down, throwing flurries, until the referee rightfully stepped in to end the contest at around 1:04 of the fourth.
Monabesa was defending the WBC title to Winwood, who has now picked up two titles in two fights with back to back knockouts. On his pro debut in November 2022, he won the West Australia State light-flyweight title with a second-round stoppage over Stinky Mario Bunda.
World renowned boxing trainer Angelo Hyder has been talking the young Noongar man up and saying that, pound-for-pound, Winwood is the most powerful puncher he has ever trained; a huge statement given the hard-hitting fighters and world champions renowned for their power Hyder has trained over the years.
Winwood also has a God-given ability to measure distance, where he can avoid getting hit while at the same time dishing out vicious combinations of punches that overwhelmed his world class opponent.
After the fight, Winwood said he felt "absolutely fantastic".
"I can't wait to come back and go across the road to RAC Arena and fight for the world title, and become the fastest Australian to do so," he enthused.
Winwood, provided he maintains the discipline, desire and work ethic, could one day be categorised in the echelons of the greatest fighters Australia has ever produced – he is simply that good. If he does, he will be a wonderful role model for Indigenous Australia and Australia as a whole.
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