Boxing: Foley impressive in return to ring

By Peter Jessup

Regan Foley's comeback fight lasted just a couple of minutes into the third round on Saturday night, and there was no sign of the infection that had kept him out of action for 20 months as he battered a bewildered Simon Whiu.

Foley put Whiu through the count in round one after a succession of heavy body shots. In round three, a ferocious uppercut sent the solid Whiu into the middle of next week and the ref said enough.

It was Foley's 22nd birthday yesterday and the demolition job on Whiu was the present he wanted. His trainer-manager, Kevin Barry, is now negotiating to send him on to a bout in New Caledonia in August, then a couple more in New Zealand towards the end of the year before a shot at bigger markets.

Barry was suitably impressed with the performance.

"He was carrying a lot of pressure and he carried it well. He did all we asked of him and more and he'll grow 10 inches after this fight," he said.

Barry put the quick victory down to fitness and power, as Foley tattooed Whiu with his left jab non-stop.

"Regan took him apart - I've never seen Simon Whiu look so disoriented," he said.

Faii Falemoe gave a similarly impressive display of power in ending his third pro bout with a first-round knockout.

Eighteen-fight Lightning Lupe's last effort was a 10-round loss by decision but he could not stand up to the haymakers which Falemoe threw. He was upright, but only thanks to the ropes, when the fight was stopped.

Sean Sullivan threw and landed a barrage of shots but was unable to bring down Aussie Brandon Wood. Sullivan again showed his determination by going through anything Wood served up to score. He was ahead throughout and won a 10-round points decision.