Lindsay Garbatt Wins WIBA Featherweight Title – by Mark A. Jones

(OCT 27) On a chilly October evening in Albany, New York, Jaci “The Force” Trivilino and “Lethal” Lindsay Garbatt heated up the Washington Avenue Armory with ten rounds of fist-flying action as a co-main event on Ares Promotions Fight Night XII “Ring of Fire” boxing card.

Lindsay Garbatt, 126, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, a former WIBA super-featherweight champion, is now covering her washboard stomach with the WIBA featherweight belt after pounding out a hard-fought majority decision victory over Jaci Trivilino, 125, Plattsburgh, New York. The scoring (95-95/ 97-93/ 98-92) was not truly indicative on how closely contested the fight was.

This was a rematch of their July match-up in Saratoga Springs, New York that witnessed Garbatt and Trivilino fight to an eight-round split draw. In this match-up, the familiarity enabled both fighters to dispense with the niceties of a feeling out process and get down to business early.

The back and forth action led to many extremely close rounds where a head-snapping right-cross from Garbatt or a stinging left-hook from Trivilino was the deciding factor. Garbatt jumped to an early lead taking the first two stanzas on the strength of a hard counter right-cross that brought oohs and aahs from the crowd.

Not to be outdone, the 31-year-old Trivilino (9-6-3, 1 KO) rallied back in the middle rounds working behind a stiff left jab and an improved defense that enabled her to evade punches and counter effectively to the body and head of Garbatt. Trivilino’s body work was most impressive; a skill that is often overlooked by modern-day judges.

Trivilino’s success was momentary as Garbatt, age 31, (8-6-2, 3 KOs) stomped on the accelerator increasing her punch volume over the championship rounds (8, 9, and 10) securing victory and becoming a two-division champion. She adds Trivilino to an impressive list of ring victories that include current WBC female featherweight champion, Jelena Mrdjenovich, Melissa Hernandez, and Maureen Shea.

In the end, this WIBA title fight was a fan-friendly event consummated on an extremely high level with Garbatt displaying the poise and punching power of a champion and Trivilino showing that she has matured as a fighter acquiring the necessary versatility that will lend her well in future bouts.

Venue: Washington Avenue Armory
City: Albany, NY
Promoter: Ares Promotions
Referee: Ron Lipton
WIBA Supervisor: Ryan Wissow
Sponsor: DePaula Chevrolet

Attendance: 1,000 (estimate)

Mark A. Jones