Adrian Taihia (74.9kg) had local boxing historians searching through the record books after he blasted out Blair Seagar (76kg) in 12s of the first round at the ABA Stadium on July 31st. Taihia stormed out of his corner, threw an overhand right and dropped Seagar and that was that. Referee John Conway started to count over the prone Seagar but saw that the mouth-guard in his mouth was askew and immediately stopped proceedings and called the ringside doctor.
Boxing collector, Dave Cameron, poured through his records and discovered that amateur boxer, Russ Cleverley from Oamaru, won a contest in 7 1/2s of the first round in the thirties but thinks Taihia'a 12s might be a New Zealand record for the professionals. Adrian has now won each of his three professional bouts in the first round and will have to move up a notch.
On the pro undercard Lisa Mauata (68.1kg) used a straight left to good effect against short, stocky but powerful opponent Lynley Te Whata (67.8kg) to win a four-rounder unanimously on points.
The pick of the amateur bouts was between New Zealand intermediate champion Ricky Murphy (68.1kg) and Northside's Nick Charalampous (70.6kg). Fifteen-year-old Charalampous gave Murphy a useful workout. Despite nursing an injured elbow Murphy won a unanimous decision.
Former top class New Zealand amateur champion, Julian Scully, having only his second pro fight in three years, stopped Jason Costa in the fifth round of a sceduled six-rounder at the Hornby Working Men's Club (Christchurch suburb) on Friday, July 11th. Costa suffered a nasty cut on his forehead which caused the stoppage but Scully was well in front at the termination. Costa's dad was regular fighter at South Sydney Juniors as I. M. Gentle.
On the undercard New Zealand amateur heavyweight boxing champion Yamiko Chinula (Riverside) outpointed Australia's No. 2 heavyweight Mostyn Nieman (Adelaide) 23-11 in a real good bout. Chinula represented New Zealand at the Oceania Games in Samoa in April, winning his first contest on a knockout only to lose next up to Australia's Commonwealth Games gold medallist Brad Pitt.
Canberra's Steven Lovett evened the score for the Aussie's when he shaded Reece Papanui (Christchurch Boxing Club) 23-21.
Record compilers note that in the last Fist I reported that Isikeli Maama outpointed Oscar Talemaira in Wellington on June 2nd. It should have read Chauncey Welliver (USA) outpointed Oscar Talemaira over six rounds.
Also at the Otara Leisure Centre on June 2nd: Alipate Liavaa win points 6 rounds Amosa Zinck, heavyweights; Bob Gasio w ko 2 Etisone Vea, heavies; Isikeli Maama w ko 2 Junior Patti, heavies; Francis Pratsch wtko 4 Supile Uhatafe and on July 19 at Tauranga:s TGP Gym Rhys king outpointed former amateur champion Scott Tailalu over six rounds.
