Monty Passes The Acid Test
Ex-rugby league player Monty Betham (88.9kg) passed the acid test when he outpointed James Chan (86.4kg) over six rounds at Auckland’s Sky City Casino on Thursday, August 3rd. Monty showed an effective jab, some good uppercuts and inside hooks, blocked well and deserved the decision.
However a large portion of the crowd disagreed with the verdict but this could perhaps be attributed to the fact that Chan, although billed as a Queenslander, is actually born and bred in South Auckland and had sold a whole raft of tickets to his relatives. Unlike Monty’s previous opponents, James came to fight and many in the big crowd thought he actually scored a knockdown in the first round when Monty touched down briefly from what appeared to be a right hand. A subsequent replay showed that referee Gary McCrystal was right to rule a slip. Chan threw plenty of leather at the upright Kiwi but the vast majority landed on Betham’s arms and gloves.
In the main support Steve Heremaia (69.6kg) returned to the ring after a lay-off and showed some of his slipping and countering skills before dispatching Jamie Waru (69kg) in the second round with a left hook-right cross combination.
The bout between ex-Olympian Soulan Pownceby (82.3kg) and Wayen Orbell (81.9kg) was over before it had hardly started when Pownceby landed a beautiful straight right through the guard of Orbell and dropped him after only 16 seconds had passed in the first round. Orbell made it to his feet but referee McCrystal called it off after Pownceby landed another salvo of punches. A big section of the crowd thought the stoppage premature.
Aussie Daniel Baff outpointed newcomer Oscar Siale (85.3kg) over four blood-spattered rounds. Siale bled from a cut over the left eye in a willing affair. Former kickboxer Jason Reti (107kg) outpointed Malua Tipi (112kg) over four rounds in a free swinging encounter while Richard Tutai (117.3lg) outpointed Alex Mene also over four rounds.
In the designated main event African Samuel Colombian outpointed Thailand’s Songchai Nachphali (68.3kg) over 10 rounds for a questionable WBO youth title. The bout was for the purist although many of the socialites at ringside and TV viewers probably couldn’t have cared less since neither was a local.
Weights for Baff, Mene and Colombian were not available. All in a ll a good night from promoter Mick Watson (originally from Parramatta) and it appears TV1 will continue with the monthly Friday night fights.
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On Saturday July 28th, Elite Thai Kickboxing in conjunction with Marty Sullivan promoted 11 amateur kickboxing bouts and three pro matches at the Auckland Boxing Association’s stadium at Eden Terrace.
The event was well-organised, the fights good and the stadium packed. These mixed evenings may be the future of local promotions.
First fight of the event was a semi-pro three-rounder featuring Oscar Siale (86.2kg) and former kickboxer Vince Brunt (82.9kg). Brunt came into the contest on just an hour’s notice after Siale’s scheduled opponent pulled out. Siale is either a great prospect or he’s had considerable fights in the Islands. He decked Brunt in the first round after a flurry of punches and twice more in the third round to win a convincing decision.
Gareth Jenkins (69.1kg) brought an uncompromising style to his encounter with Faleti Tavui (70kg). Despite bleeding from a cut eye and a blood nose he seemed to have the bout well within control when Tavui retired in his corner before the fourth round with an arm injury.
In the main event Supi Moimoi (85.2kg) outpointed Kololo Faatua (aka Cruse) (81.2kg) over six rounds. In the second round, Moimoi was controlling the action with a stiff left jab when Faatua caught him with a wild looping right-hander than sent him staggering along the full length of the ring ropes. Referee Lance Revill considered it a knockdown because the ropes had held him up and put an eight-count on him but strangely Kololo failed to follow up when the count was completed and Moimoi took over, winning ever other round.
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At the ASB Stadium, Kohimarama Stadium (Auckland) on July 14, Monty Betham (87.8kg) outpointed Frank Asiata (86.5kg) over six rounds. According to witnesses, Betham outwrestled and outpunched journeyman Asiata in an untidy contest. Asiata who has a background in amateur and professional boxing seemed to lack confidence (maybe he wasn’t fit) and failed to unload on his less experienced opponent.
It was left to Rico Chong Nee (75.8kg) and Daniel McKinnon (76.2kg) to provide the fireworks with an entertaining bout that saw McKinnon squeeze through with a split decision win over six rounds.
The remained of the fights on the undercard were between rugby union players (it was a benefit for an injured player).
