A winner … Tarneit Boxing Gym’s Daniel Iannazzo does not know what defeat looks like, as his professional win/loss record stands at 15-0, including four knockouts. 17336
By Luke Sheehan
DANIEL Iannazzo took all of 60 seconds to secure his 15th consecutive professional boxing victory on 4 October.
The 21-year-old won his fight against professional debutant Darren De Gabriel by technical knock out recently at Docklands.
However, the boxer known as “Babyface” now has a new test ahead of him but it lies outside the ring.
The challenge is to find a challenger in the ring, as no-one seemingly wants to fight the Taylors Lakes resident.
According to Iannazzo and his trainer David Hegarty, the Tarneit Boxing Gym fighter is struggling to find opponents.
“We’ve challenged everyone in Australia, and now there’s only two left. One is undefeated, and one is the Australian champion. They don’t want a loss to their name,” Iannazzo said.
The two fighters Iannazzo referred to were Fred Mundraby and Dean Livanos, and it seems clear that he is champing at the bit to fight either one.
“I have respect for all boxers, but let’s fight and see who the best is.”
Hegarty, who coaches Iannazzo alongside former IBF super featherweight world champion Lester Ellis, said it was becoming increasingly difficult to find his unbeaten fighter a worthy opponent.
“We are having a lot of problems getting him matched as a lot of people aren’t wanting to fight him,” Hegarty said.
“He just knocked him (De Gabriel) out in the first round.
“He’s a hot prospect and he’s heading for a world champion (title).”
Iannazzo was surprised former Australian amateur champion De Gabriel wanted to fight him.
“They asked him (De Gabriel) after the fight why he wanted to fight me on his debut, and his response was, ‘I thought I could beat anybody’,” Iannazzo said.
Clearly he could not.
Iannazzo started boxing at age 15 when he went to the gym with best friend Heath Ellis, son of Lester.
He turned professional in September 2006, accompanied by his father Peter as manager.
“He’s a big help. He supports me getting fights, getting titles and getting recognised.”
Iannazzo’s younger brother, Andrew, is also training at the Hoppers Crossing gym, and is about to turn professional.
“He supports me at all my fights. Nothing’s better than family.”
Iannazzo’s mother, too, has been there all the way with her son throughout his blossoming career.
“I set a goal after my first fight and it was to be 10 and 0 (win/loss ratio).
“Last December when I reached it, Mum said, ‘You’ve done it’, but then I set a goal of 16 (wins).
“The next number will be 22 (wins). It seems like a good number to set now.”
Iannazzo said the proudest of his 15 wins was in August when he toppled a big name international fighter.
“Mohamad Nor Rizan was my 14th fight. He was six and 0, including five knockouts.
“He’s the most famous fighter in Singapore and he came to win.
“To knock him out in two rounds just made me feel so superior.”
Iannazzo said most boxing critics had written him off pre-fight, and it was satisfying to prove them wrong.
“They said it was winnable, but I had to fight hard for it as he (Nor Rizan) can hit anyone on the pin.”
Iannazzo’s next fight is for the WBO Asia Pacific Junior Featherweight title set to take place in Melbourne in December.
His opponent is yet to be determined but nothing seems to stop Iannazzo from reaching his goals. Once fight number 16 is out of the way, look out numbers 17 through 22.
