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Anyos Wins WBF Title
By Mike “Kryptonite” Altamura
(OCT 2) The way women’s boxing can slowly move towards mainstream acceptance
is through well-matched, entertaining contests, as the fight on Friday night
for the WBF Feather title between Sharon “Wild Thing” Anyos and Texan Linda
“Terminator” Tenberg proved. 33-year-old Anyos, fighting in front of her
hometown on the Gold Coast, Australia, won a wide decision (100-90, 100-90,
99-91), but the fight was such an enthralling spectacle for 10 rounds that
it left this writer perplexed that cable network Fox Sports took so long to
give live women’s boxing the green light.
Anyos, 7-3 (1), the former WIBA featherweight champ, came out draped in all
purple, her boob-tube type top exposing her well-cut midriff. The taller
Tenberg, 11-10 (6), was fitted in predominantly black gear, and was a
picture of focus at the opening bell.
Anyos wasted no time feeling out her opponent, charging forward, and trying
to force Tenberg backwards. There were a couple of exchanges on the ropes,
with Tenberg seeming to benefit better at close range. It was a close round,
maybe Anyos shaded it on pure work-rate. Tenberg was marked under the left
eye during this round too.
The Australian’s pressure attack continued in the second, feinting the jab
on the occasion, and coming forward with straight rights. She was able to
catch the 5’6” Texan late with a pair of loaded rights, but Tenberg appeared
to wear them well.
Tenberg opened the third strong, scoring with a couple of rights from the
outside, but as the round progressed, Anyos’ aggression took charge, and she
finished the busier to decisively win the round.
Like the old warriors of old, the Lamottas, the Basilios, Wild Thing keep
charging forward in the fourth, and it paid dividends. She began to work her
way on the inside, fire away bombs, and then either block or retreat
Tenberg’s counters.
Round five had the crowd roaring, courtesy of some quality exchanges on the
inside. Another Anyos stanza, as Tenberg’s punchers were starting to get
wide.
Anyos started to really dominate in the sixth and seventh, swarming Tenberg,
and landing well calculated left-rights, and a sharp left hook. But Tenberg,
although noticeably hurt at times, had no quit, and continued to show her
massive heart.
The Australian kept up her phenomenal punch output in the eighth, scoring
with some piercing jabs, and quickfire combinations, and it showed on
Tenberg’s face – particularly under her left eye.
Tenberg kept plugging away though, trying to come forward, but Anyos was too
smooth, taking the role of the counterpuncher for much of the ninth and
scoring with shorter, crisper punchers.
At the start of the tenth these two warriors embraced, and kissed, a sign of
their wonderful sportsmanship. Anyos proceeded to counterpunch, and then
almost a minute into the round came on the attack and caught Tenberg with a
big right. Tenberg hung tough, though it was another clear round for the
Australian.
Anyos sat on her punchers more than she has in previous fights, and
demonstrated real power, possibly a result of her training with former
triple world champion Jeff Fenech.
Following the bout, Anyos said, “I hope everyone enjoyed it because I had a
fantastic time in here.” We certainly did, Wild Thing. As for Linda Tenberg
– girl, you are one tough fighter. Respect to you.
Mike “Kryptonite’ Altamura can be contacted via email at
icemanalt@aol.com
A special thanks to Altamura for the
exclusive coverage!
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