Thunderdome 49: Josh Byrne claims state title glory
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 16 Mar 2025
Last Friday, Thunderdome 49 had an exciting night of fights to kick off 2025 for Dragon Fire Promotions.
The main event saw Josh Byrne pick up his first state title after defeating Habib Kheriakah in an action-packed war.
The card also saw undefeated fighters Ryan Daye and Owen Corrigan pick up wins, as they prepare for bigger opportunities
Josh Byrne claims state title glory with victory over Habib Kheriakah
In the main event, Josh Byrne scored a victory over Habib Kheriakah by unanimous decision to claim his first state championship.
After winning his first two professional fights last year, Josh Byrne had set his sights on a state title, making it his key goal for 2025. However, it came as a shock to many when the Aussie was given the title shot in the first event of the year .
With some alterations to the card, which saw Joel Lewis and Jude Grant withdrawing from their fights, Byrne was given a main event slot for the first time in his short career.
Byrne proved that he was worthy of that spot when he claimed the belt in an absolute barn burner of a fight.
The fight started fast, with both men coming at each other with a full head of steam. Kheriakah fought on the front foot swinging wildly, looking to surprise the teenager.
Byrne being the more composed of the two, often found a home for his lead right hand whether that be a jab or hook.
Midway into the fight, Byrne had more success when he was throwing the left hook to the body and even hurt Kheriakah in the final minute of round three.
In the later rounds, the hooks to the body from Byrne were having more of an effect on his opponent who looked to be running out of ideas.
Byrne’s cardio had also held up well, as he kept throwing flurries of crosses and hooks until the final bell.
When the scorecards were read, it was Josh Byrne who was given the lopsided unanimous decision victory and the WA State Welterweight Championship.
With time on his side and a state title on his resume, the future looks bright for this young and exciting prospect.
Owen Corrigan defeats Liang Wang to remain undefeated
In the co-main event, Ireland’s Owen Corrigan kept his undefeated record intact with a decision victory over Liang Wang.
In November of last year, Owen “Bomber” Corrigan made an emphatic statement in his professional debut after scoring a knockout victory over King Fahd.
Looking to carry on his momentum, Corrigan took on China’s Liang Wang. Although this fight was a lot harder than his debut, the Irishman was able to win the competitive bout by decision.
For the first two rounds, Corrigan used jabs and lead hooks to dictate the tempo, while using his superior movement to stay out of range.
Being the smaller man, Liang tried to pressure the Irish boxer but he didn't land anything flush apart from a right overhand at the end of the second round.
Liang had more success with his pressure in round three, where he started to back his opponent into the ropes.
In response to the attack, Corrigan start to move his opponent backwards in the fourth round, but Wang did well to fire back before the final bell.
Before the cards were read out, most of the fans in attendance were wondering how the judges would score the fight.
Whether it was Corrigan’s efficiency or Wang’s aggression that secured the win.
But Owen Corrigan was revealed as the winner by unanimous decision, to a stunning reception from the Irish boxing fans in attendance.
The win for the Irishman advanced his record to 2-0.
Ryan Daye runs through Rivo Kundaming to prepare for Tim Tszyu undercard
Earlier in the card Ryan Daye remained undefeated with a win over Rivo Kundaming.
The win gives Daye a huge momentum boost as he prepares to fight on the Tim Tszyu vs Joey Spencer undercard in Newcastle next month.
After his come from behind KO victory over Fano Kori back in August, Perth’s Ryan Daye was seen as a fighter to watch in the Australian boxing scene.
Last month, it was announced the Perth native would be getting his shot under the bright lights over east, by fighting on Tim Tszyu’s undercard.
Before that fight however, Daye needed to make a statement against Indonesia’s Rivo Kundaming and he did just that with a complete demolition of his opponent.
The fight started very aggressively from Daye, who did a great job of mixing up his shots and staying unpredictable.
Throughout the first round, Daye entered into the pocket with jabs before ripping his opponent to the body and it was clear to see that Kundaming had no answer for the onslaught.
Daye opened the second round with another flurry to the body which dropped his Indonesian opponent to the ground.
As Kundaming was wincing in pain, the referee stopped the fight before he finished his count, giving Daye yet another stoppage victory.
In his post-fight interview, Daye revealed to the fans in attendance that he was fighting in Newcastle stating that “he was taking every opportunity with both hands.”
It is safe to say that Daye’s next fight will be the biggest of his career and with this win, he is riding the perfect wave of momentum.
Full Card Results
Josh Byrne defeated Habib Kheriakah by unanimous decision the win the WA State Welterweight Championship
Owen Corrigan defeated Liang Wang by unanimous decision
Billy Quincroft defeated Alex Muster by first-round KO
Jye Chin defeated Jack Briggs by unanimous decision
Charlie Burca defeated Shomeek Saha by unanimous decision
Bilal Seidu defeated Will Cleggett by majority decision
Sam Rennie defeated Dedi Imprax by third-round KO
Binny Folan defeated Rusty Oates by split decision
Gabriel Ichkanian defeated Darren Quincroft by second-round TKO
Ryan Daye defeated Rivo Kundaming by second-round KO
Devon Kelly defeated Tanaka Saburi by split decision
Riley Sparks defeated Marvelous Aligba by unanimous decision (Exhibition Fight)
Rigor Angles defeated Mitch Arnold by unanimous decision
Photos: Dragon Fire Boxing (Mike O'Hara)
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