The Auckland Boxing Association under new president, Tui Gallagher, has a busy itinerary coming up. First up on Friday, July 28th, at the ABA Stadium, Knockout Boxing Limited who have hired the venue from the ABA, will promote an IBF Pan Pacific and WBA Pan Africa heavyweight title fight between Shane Cameron and Roger Izonritie.
Shane needs no introduction but Izonritei might not be so well known to NZ fight fans. He is a Nigerian based in Australia who holds the Pan-Pacific heavyweight title. Kiwi boxers have not featured too well against Roger – whose brother David defeated David Tua at the Olympic Games in Barcelona. Roger has knocked out Lightning Lupe (ko2), Clay Aumatangi (ko3), Tone Fiso (ko4), Richard Tutaki (ko2), John Tupou (ko2) and Hiriwa TeRangi (ko6). Last Thursday in Perth he warmed up for his fight with Shane with a three round kayo over Mosese Kivaka. Four supporting professional fights make up the undercard: Mohammed Azzaoui vs James Ellis, Lawrence Tauasa vs Fatu Tui Tuimanono, Elisara Sii Uta vs Mark de Mori and Henry Venka vs Star Chong Nee. The Auckland Boxing Association will supply two first class amateur bouts.
On Saturday, AUGUST 5th the ABA will conduct the Auckland Provincial Amateur Boxing Championships at their stadium. The weigh-in will be from 10.30am till 12.30pm on the day and championship bouts will be conducted in the junior, intermediate and senior divisions for male and female boxers. This year there will be no novice champs, but novices wanting to fight on the day will get their wish. From these champs the team to represent Auckland at the New Zealand Championships to be held in Rotorua will be picked.
On Saturday AUGUST 26th, professional promoter Dinesh Shandill will promote a pro-am card featuring New Zealand professional middleweight champion, Daniel McKinnon. He will fight Sakeasi Dakua from Fiji. Dakua has victories over Sean Sullivan and Lee Oti. The main supports will feature former New Zealand amateur heavyweight champion Alex Mene against Jay Tuku and Dion McNabney vs Fou Sialota and four amateur bouts again supplied by the ABA.
On Thursday AUGUST 30th, the ABA will have its monthly pro-am tournament. It is hoped to stage an interprovincial amateur tourney on this date plus two pro fights. The pro fights will feature Sosaia Vaka vs Bruce Glozier and newcomer Gareth Jenkins against veteran campaigner, Peter Dransfield. Vaka reminds many of the older fans of Tongan boxer of the sixties, Filo Manuao. He not only resembles Manuao physically but fights like him. Manuao scored great victories over Tuna Scanlan, Earl Nickora and Aussie hardman, Roy Thurgar.
In SEPTEMBER on either the 21st or 22nd, David Wiremu is hiring the ABA Stadium and will promote himself against Lee Oti for Boxing New Zealand’s junior middleweight title. The ABA will supply the amateurs in what looks a great night. Other ABA dates are OCTOBER 26th, NOVEMBER 30th and DECEMBER 14th.
Phone 3070720 for further information.
