Tony Tolj previews stacked Thunderdome 53 event featuring six title fights
Thunderdome 53 in Perth will be packed full of title fights
Dragon Fire Boxing presents Thunderdome 53 on Friday the 13th of March at the Metro City Arena in Perth.
The stacked show features six top title fights. Australian promoter Tony Tolj previewed the entire card:
Ryan Daye vs Jye Chin
In the main event of the evening, big-punching Ryan Daye (7-1, 6 KOs) defends the WBC Australasia Super Middleweight Title to Jye Chin (3-3, 1 KO).
These are two power punchers, both moving up in weight. Daye is undefeated at the Thunderdome and has four consecutive KOs. Daye aims for a convincing win to secure big fights abroad next.
21 from Perth, Chin has only lost one controversial decision and in his last fight he scored the KO of the night.
Holly McMath vs Sarah Higginson
WBC Australasia Flyweight title will double up as the Trilogy decider between Ireland’s Holly McMath (6-4-1) and Perth’s Sarah Higginson (4-7-1, 1 KO). The ledger is currently McMath 1 win, 1 draw, and this is the trilogy fight.
Lewis Clarke vs Billy Quincroft
Friends-turned-foes, Lewis Clarke (9-2, 4 KOs) takes on unbeaten Billy Quinncroft (4-0, 2 KOs) for the Australasian National Boxing Federations Cruiserweight title to see who the best in this region is, not named Jai Opetaia.
23-year-old Clarke assured that Quinncroft is a friend and that there's no bad blood from his side.
"Big Bosh" Quinncroft concurred that Clarke "is my mate and I've got a lot of respect for him." However, he added, "But once that bell goes, friendship stays outside the ropes!"
Sam Rennie vs Shamal Ram Anuj
Sam Rennie (7-0, 3 KOs) looks to create history and become the first two-belt champion from the Isle of Man as he takes on Fiji's Shamal Ram Anuj (11-7, 8 KOs). The Brit is stepping up levels here against an opponent with double the experience.
Undefeated Isle of Man boxer Sam Rennie challenges for the ANBF Australasian super-featherweight title against 18-fight Fiji veteran Shamal Ram Aunj, now based in Central Coast, New South Wales in Australia.
Based in Sydney, 23-year-old rising prospect Rennie previewed the title test, “He’s a solid opponent, experienced with a lot of knockout wins, he’s boxed some top talent in Australia.
“The fight means everything to me, nine months ago my country had never had a boxing champion ever and now I’m about to become a two-time champion in the space of nine months. 2026 is going to be a big year with some big fights!”
Owen Corrigan vs Micah Rivetti
Another Irish talent on the card is Owen “Bomber” Corrigan (4-0, 2 KOs), who takes on Micah “Mad Dog” Rivetti (6-18, 2 KOs) for the WA State Light Heavyweight title.
Corrigan is taking on his most experienced opponent to date, who has fought the who's who of Australian boxing.
From Wicklow, Ireland, Corrigan opened up about his forthcoming foe, “The opponent is tricky, he has bags of experience, he’ll come with a lot of belief; end of day, he’s signed to fight so I’ve got to be ready, only top guys have beaten him.
“Micah has been in there with IBF Pan Pacific titleholder Andrew Hunt, WBC Australasian champ Max Macintyre and IBF Youth champion Jack Gregory, Campbell Summerville, Jack Beck, all of who are top fighters and probably in positions in which I’m wanting to be in also.
“This is an opportunity for me to go and show why I should be up there with them, I’m a top fighter, this is my job.”
Jeanine Brown vs Katelan Stack
40-year-old Jeanine Brown (2-0, 1 KO) takes on Katelyn Stack (1-2) for the WA State Jnr Welterweight title.
Stack and Brown are former training partners and know each other extremely well. They are also both Australian boxing champions, so this is one fight not to be missed!
Undercard
Plus we will see the returns of Tanaka Saburi and Devon Kelly, former ring rivals who each go up against international opponents.
Saburi shone brightly at Thunderdome 52 and aims to steal the show again with another great performance. The Aussie only began boxing in his 20s and will have his third pro outing against Nepal's Bahadur Chand.
Welterweight prospect Kelly (2-0, 1 KO) from Perth defeated the aforementioned Saburi in his pro box last year, and now enters into his third bout against Bikash Rana. He aims to keep the fight simple and box clever, with plans to fight for a WA State title later in the year.
Michael Bazley (1-0, 1 KO) is back for his second bout following his knockout performance at Thunderdome 62. The heavyweight also plans to win a WA State title in 2026.
Dragon Fire Boxing head honcho Tony Tolj commented on his bumper boxing bill, “I'm looking forward to the pro debut of Anthony Wright-Hearn. Also Heavyweight sensation “Big Bad” Bazley, who is looking to make a mark on Australian boxing then the world.
“There are some great fighters coming through, It’s unclear whether any will make it to the bigger stages, but that is the point of the series: to give domestic-level fighters experience, keep them active and try to help ensure that when they get a chance to step up to the next level, they won’t enter that phase naively.
“It is hard to get the chance to compete at a world-class level as an Australian boxer, and we give fighters a chance to test themselves.
“Fights like the main event speak to what we are doing. We are putting on good fights with regional fighters and when the time comes, they will be ready.”
“I'm so excited with this card they are all can't miss fights, March 13th and Metro City is the place to be, make sure you check this one out!”
Tickets for Thunderdome 53 on sale now at megatix.com.au & the event will be broadcast by Livecombatsports.com.au
