Shane Cameron’s bout against Australian- based Roger Izonritie for the International Boxing Federation’s Pan-Pacific belt has to be the New Zealand fight of 2006, writes Jim Mahoney.
The clash at the Auckland Boxing Association Stadium in July is a bolter in that category. Not only did it have big-fight atmosphere, it produced a dramatic action filled bout.
While it was a little one-sided, with Cameron knocking Izonritie down six times, the massive cuts to the Kiwi boxer Cameron’s forehead always left the result in doubt until referee Lance Revill stopped the bout in the 10th round in the local fighter’s favor.
And Izonritie’s gutsy performance in climbing back off the canvas five times also made this a clash worth remembering. It was the best blood and guts heavyweight victory seen in this country for years.
David Wiremu vs Lee Oti must rank second – a fascinating boxer-fighter contest with evasive counter-puncher Wiremu keeping out of Oti’s way as the Samoan big banger loaded up for single shots to the head during the early rounds.
By the middle stages of the fight, Oti went to the body and started handing Wiremu a brutal beating in the later rounds, stopping him in the 10th to win the light-middleweight crown.
The most outstanding local prospect must be Indian-born Harry Venka. He’s only had three pro fights but his stylish technique, speed and punching power set the Auckland based light-middleweight apart from the rest of the field.
In his last outing, on the undercard of the recent Shane Cameron-Osbourne Machimana fight in Christchurch, he knocked out veteran Sean Unwin in one round. Venka, real name Hari Venkat, has a big future if he’s managed properly.
Bets New Zealand amateur prospect: Nathan McEwan, who comes from Blackball on the rugged West Coast but fights for Canterbury. At September’s National Championships in Rotorua he won three belts, the coveted Jamieson for most scientific boxer; the Bill O’Connor for youngest senior winner and the Alf Cleverly for winning his division.
Best pound-for-pound fighter in New Zealand; Maselino Masoe. He’s over 40; still fighting fit, and still far and away the best boxer in New Zealand.
Entertainer of the year is Chauncy Welliver. The USA fighter with the big belly but little punch is a regular visitor to these shores.
He’s the most unlikely charismatic figure, yet his personality and smart mouth win him plenty of fans. Welliver also possesses a concrete chin, which he takes great pleasure in sticking out and letting his opponent tee off on.
It’s a great party trick but not calculated to ensure he retains the vast store of boxing information he has locked away in his head. He’s easily the smartest boxer I’ve come across.
Disgrace of the year. The continuing trans-Tasman “meatwagon” trips. Every couple of weeks a handful of New Zealand boxers (nearly all prelim boys) fly across the Tasman to be totally outclassed by Australian opponents.
They have a great flight from New Zealand to Australia – but can’t remember the one back. Sooner of later one of them will be seriously hurt.
