The Headhunters Motorcycle Club staged another first-class mixed boxing – kickboxing promotion at their headquarters in Marua Road, Ellerslie (wealthy Auckland suburb) on Saturday, December 5.
In the show topper Shane Chapman boxed well to outscore Areta Gilbert over six rounds of a cruiserweight bout. Billing himself as "Ace the Bass" as far as was known this was Gilbert's first boxing match and he looked promising as he whipped over punches in all directions but Chapman picked his shots and displayed better technique. As was expected he also produced the better variety of punches and a strong finish to take a unanimous points decision. Still it was a good performance from the Waikato-based debutant Gilbert.
The previous month (November 21) Shane had repeated a win over Fale Sialoala at the ASB Stadium, Kohimararama (another flash Auckland suburb, mind you me living in Arch Hill, one of the city's oldest areas, most suburbs would appear upmarket). On the previous occasion when they met Shane had stopped the Samoan-born boxer in two rounds, but this time Fale was determined and marched forward throughout the six rounds however he continually walked into Chapman's punches who moved fluently and displayed a good kit of punches.
Steve Heremaia looks to be one of New Zealand boxing's genuine prospects. At Auckland Sky City Casino on November 28th reversed a previous points loss to Lee Oti when he comfortably outpointed Lee on this occasion over six rounds. Heremaia boxing with a real sense of purpose won every round.
Former New Zealand amateur heavyweight champion, Isikeli Maama, continued his professional career with a hard-fought four round points win over hard-punching Gogosina Ulutoa at the North Shore Events Centre on Friday, November 27th. The promotion was a fundraiser for the Samoan tsunami victims. In attendance with David Tua was former rugby union great Michael Jones and rugby league legend Inga Tuigamala.
Talking of David Tua, the heavyweight has been lined up for three fights. He fights ex-World Boxing Association heavyweight champion, Bruce Sheldon, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in February. Tua's second fight scheduled for New Zealand in March, will be against Friday Ahunanya, who beat Shane Cameron in Auckland last year. Tua's last fight will be in Hawaii, his opponent yet to be announced (but rumoured to be Hassim Rahman).
