Back in Porirua once again to defend his title on a night packed full of action was Rex “Rumble” Redden. Fighting from the Boonchu club, this time it was top Tasmanian Daniel Shearing who was called in to take the test. The tall blonde Tasmanian, shorts slightly ragged hinting at the time he has spent earning them in the gym as he learned more of his craft. Earlier in the changing room he has been practising his skills, exhaling each time he throws a decisive punch. Laughing with his stable mates and trainers.

Along the hall Rex is preparing. Permanently smiling, his tattooed body illustrated with pictures of his life. His body has been hard earned in the gym. Paid for with sweat, time and pain.

Tonight the man facing him will soon feel the sweat, the time and the pain that Rex has put in at the gym. It will be the payback for all the time he has spent away from his young family.

The time for laughter has passed. This is all business now – attitude and aggression. Neither fighter hates the other, but the “other man” stands in the way and NOTHING can stand in the way.

 In the first round both fighters started with head kicks. Daniel landed an elbow. Rex landed more kicks smiling all the time. Then Daniel got an 8-count from a huge knee to the body.

In round two the action hotted up and Rex landed a huge knee to the head and another 8-count on Daniel. But Daniel lands a blow that adds blood to the sweat that is trickling down Rex’s face. The permanent smile is now changed as Rex refocuses and surges forward determined to end this now and move this man out of the way.

With the blood flowing freely Daniel pointed to his elbow and smiled. Rex smiled back and urged on by the screaming fans surged forward landing punch after punch on Daniel until he ended up down from a head kick followed by a right elbow. With that it was all over and Rex had won another world title defense by KO.

Both fighters are free to smile once more and become friends after the fight.

Other main events included 3 title fights;

Ngapera Parata (Boonchu) and Leanne Banham (Jackals) fought for the NZ women’s lightweight title. Ngapera has only just returned to the fight scene after having her first child.

The fight started out very light and technical. Leanne was nice and tidy and Ngapera started out slowly, both were feeling one another out for this 5 round championship. In the second round action heated up Leanne was a typical counter-fighter, letting Ngapera have the centre of the ring but continually throwing combinations of 4/5/6 and sometimes 8 shots!! Most of which found the mark. When Ngapera replied with vicious kicks Leanne was often gone and out of range – living to land another combination soon.

Ngapera started to land more leg kicks in the next few rounds and Leanne started to favour that leg all the while throwing and landing some sharp punches and head kicks in rapid fire. By the end of the fight both fighters were still going strong but Leanne won by unanimous decision.

Mark ‘The Shark’ Spencer (Alpha) was defending his NZ Welterweight Title against Scotty Benson (Valhalla). Scotty used his unorthodox stance and ring intelligence that he has earned in Vale Tudo to great effect as Mark took his time and tried to work out the best way to attack.

In the following rounds Mark slowly takes control of a close fight by landing more and more kicks and more knees. In the grapple Mark started to dominate while Scotty is ever dangerous with his kicks. At the end of the fight Mark was the winner by unanimous decision.

Jason Walker (Ngakaunui) fought Pumipi Ngaronoa (Jackals) for the North Island Junior Lightweight Title.  These young and highly skilled fighters each take the first round slow to feel out their opponent. Jason has very sharp technique and catches a few of Pumpi’s kicks holding there before deciding what to do with the leg.

In the following rounds Pumipi steps it up a level. About half way through the second round he lands a solid flurry of punches, Jason responds well. Pumipi improving as he gets a feel for the fight and starts to throw more combos. Sharp, fast action from both sides continues and then Jason gets into a dominant position in the grapple and blasts Pumipi across the ring with a barrage of nine knees.

The rest of the fight flows with first Jason taking advantage then Pumipi. In the end Jason’s experience was just a bit much and he won by unanimous decision.

One of the other main events of the evening was non-title fight between Gareth Lewis and Oliver Tuisifia. Gareth has been unable to find fights at his weight so gave away an incredible 25KG!! To the powerful and dangerous Oliver.

In the first round big shots were thrown from both boys. Gareth evaded some dangerous shots but took some hard kicks. Oliver started to dominate towards the end of this close round.

Gareth came out barnstorming and initially overwhelmed Oliver, in one exchange he landed a hard body shot that took the crowds breath away. Oliver remained calm under pressure and landed a big punch that put Gareth down for an eight count. A second knockdown for Gareth from a beautiful succession of punches earning him another 8-count. At this point the Ref stopped the fight giving Oliver the win by KO.

Results of the under card

• Darren Mather (Ngakganui) UPD over Jason Kohiti (Highlanders)
• Harold Paul (Boonchu) TKO over Phil (Eastside)
• Kara Smooth (Ngakanui) UPD over Boogs Ramakrishnan (Alpha)
• Chris Mason (Highlanders) TKO over Matt Winger (VUW)
• Anna Kershaw (Valhalla) SPD over Paula Davidson (MMAC)  
• Leroy Coloqhoun (Alpha) SPD over Jamie O’Connell (Ngakaunui)
• Callan Dean (VUW) UPD over Puni Ramakrishnan (Alpha)
• Shannon Wilson (Jackals) UPD over Mike Barry (Alpha)
• Dacey Ryan (MMAC) SPD over Ben Sion (VUW)

  
Oliver on the attack.

 
Callan and Puni.

 
Rex – left jab.