Australia’s Lenny Zappavigna has won the vacant IBO lightweight title with a hard-fought decision over Fernando Angulo on the undercard of the Vic Darchinyan-Roland Guerrero title fight in Rancho Mirage, California in a fight card promoted by the well-known Gary Shaw.

The undefeated Zappavigna, an Australian of Italian heritage bucked a cut over his right eye engaged the Venezuelan Angulo in an exchange of powerful punches in the second half of the title fight with Angulo pressing the action and Zappavigna catching him with effective counters. Referee Pat Russel deducted a point from Angulo for hitting on the break in the 9th round.

Zappavigna finished strong to get the nod of all three judges with two if them turning in identical 116-111 scorecards and the third judge, Filipino Johnny Davis who now lives in California giving it to the Aussie by a mere point, 114-113.

Zappavigna improved to 23-0 with 15 knockouts while Angul fell to 22-7 with 14 knockouts.

Zappavigna had feasted on a roster of over-matched Filipinos in Australia including a unanimous eight round decision over Rey Anton Olarte last July 24,  a 2^nd round TKO over Jurland Cenza on August 27, 2008, a unanimous ten round decision over Leon Maratas on July 25, 2008 and a 2^nd round KO over Ruben Santiollanos on March 7, 2008 among others.

Angulo, on the other hand, scored a 4^th round TKO over the comparatively worthy contender in Filipino Ranee “The KO Kid” Ganoy in an IBF eliminator for the No. 2 lightweight ranking on December 5, 2008.

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