A billed New Zealand cruiserweight title fight between Soulan Pownceby and Bob Gasio had to be re-scheduled when it became obvious that Gasio could not make the weight (why do boxers insist that they can make lower weights). Gasio and Pownceby finally teed off at the ABA Stadium on July 17 in a catchweight contest.
It was obvious from the opening bell that Gasio was not fit but he came out swinging with left and right hooks, Pownceby used his feet well, stayed on the outside and landed some crisp shots to head and body.
In the middle of the third round southpaw Gasio was stunned by a right and battered with a flurry that followed up. Just on the bell he looked decidely worn and it was no surprise when his corner man threw the towel in.
In the amateur undercard a Queensland selection took on a NZ development side. Outstanding for the Bananabenders was Jesse Ross a whipcord welterweight who outpointed local Ricky Murphy in a good bout; a couple of days later Ross outpointed NZ No 1 welterweight Emilio Leti at Nelson.
Former world cruiserweight challenger Mohamed Azzaoui was dropped in the first round of his contest with Junior Pati at the Kensington Stadium (Whangarei) before a surprisingely big crowd on Saturday, July 25th.
In considerable trouble when he regained his feet Azzaoui managed to stay out of trouble till the bell.
Pati, who was at least 20lb heavier, showed contempt for Azzaoui's punches in the remaining rounds forcing the Algerian-born boxer to stay on his toes and use the ring to avoid the heavier shots. Azzaoui was awarded a unanimous decision after four rounds, which was booed by some sections of the audience.
Nineteen amateur contests made up the undercard.
Unbeaten Oscar Siale (90.3kg) was given a surprise by unheralded Scott Grey (88.6) at the ABA Stadium on July 30th. Grey, a kickboxer, who had a few semi-pro fights a few years ago, showed that a good left-hook is an ideal weapon against a southpaw. I actually had him winning the first two rounds, but Siale came back to take the the third after a hard slog. In the fourth and last round the two went toe-to-toe and Grey was holding his own until a sneak inside left dropped him flat on his back. Getting up at nine, Grey fought back hard to actually take it to Siale untill the final bell but the 10-8 round cost Grey the fight.
In the designated main event Moyoyo Mensah and Gogosina Ulutoa both came out swinging like the proverbial rusty gate. Moyoyo with his straighter punching took the first and second rounds. The third saw the free-swinging Gogosina start to land with his overhand right. In the fourth the inevitable happened and Ulutoa finally landed flush with a big overhand right and dropped Mensah. The African got up and wobbled his way through the rest of the round to win on a one-point margin on all scorecards.
On Friday, July 31, promising Robbie Berridge took on Faimasasa Tavui in a six-rounder at the Northcote Rugby Union Club, on Auckland's North Shore.
Despite Tavui's greater experience and wieght advantage (he came in over the supermiddleweight limit) southpaw Berridge was never in any trouble and won a unanimous points decision.
Hemi Brown came on strong in the last of a cruiserweight four-rounder but was just shaded by Winston helu and Taito Rautuere beat Ioane Talamago also at cruiser over four rounds. Two corporate and seven amateur made up the rest of the bill. The place was packed.
