Fight Report: Coolangatta Hotel Gold Coast Australia

Date: November 30, 2001
Writer:  les Anyos

Pauline O’Hello (52.5kg) Gold Coast faced Edith Smith (53.3kg) for the O.B.A.

Oceanic Bantamweight Title over 6 rounds, Pauline took control of the fight in the first two rounds landing some good combinations with Edith keeping her head very low and throwing punches over her Shoulders only hitting her target occasionally, round three was an even affair with both girls landing punches, the pace picked up in the 4th round Smith was hitting her target with more regularity and was standing her ground and started charging in with Kamikaze style aggression, the crowd wanted the local girl to win but the judges saw the fight different and crowned Smith as the New Oceanic bantamweight Champion. 

The Much publicized Fight Between Sharon “Wildthing” Anyos and Holly “Hellcat” Ferneley came as the second featured fight. 

This fight had gained notoriety as Sharon had not fought in this country for over two years and wanted to show her local supporters and the media to what level Women’s boxing has risen, Holley on the other hand is staging a Jane Couch like court battle with the government in her State over their relentless ban on Women Boxing and her telling the Media what damage she was about to inflict on Sharon. 

The fight started in a blur with Sharon taking Holley into the Neutral Corner and pummeling her with head and body shots which took Holley completely by surprise and set a pattern for the remainder of the fight.

In round three,  Sharon opened a cut above Holley’s left eye with a straight left causing a stream of blood down Holley’s face which blood flow was expertly stemmed by her corner during the break.

Round four,  saw Sharon opening up with relentless body shots even after the Bell tolled Sharon continued with her Barrage which was quickly answered by Holley with a couple of head shots and the ref had his work cut out trying to get these two fighters apart.

Round five and six, had Sharon relentlessly punishing Holley’s midsection to the delight of the crowd who came to see this fight a and were on their feet shouting and clapping at a deafening level.  

Although Holley came there to win she gave a good account of herself by keeping the pace and showing a lot of Heart, Sharon clearly dominated this fight and Holley graciously admitting defeat a by saying that Sharon just keeps getting stronger with every fight and laying any future challenges to rest, the fight was so well received that one of the old Fight writers and critics said if anyone still has doubts of Women’s ability in the Boxing Arena after that fight he would like to know what fight they were watching.