The Auckland Boxing Association's monthly tournament at their stadium on June 30th did not terminate until midnight and the capacity crowd enjoyed a mixed card of amateur, semi-pro and professional boxing.
Celebrities in attendance at the venue included character actor Mark Nua, night club owner and former boxer Billy Smith and musician/singer Graham Brazier. Best fight of the night was the the main event, a professional heavyweight six-rounder between Amosa Zinck (99.1kg) and veteran Sam Leuii (102.3kg).
Leuii, a former Commonwealth Games and Olympic representative, as well as holding a whole draft of professional titles, came in at only two days notice and was expected to fade against his younger opponent. But the cagey Leuii found a ready target on the shorter Zinck's face for his straight left and then as the bout progressed began to produce a left hook to the body. Meanwhile Zinck bobbed and weaved and produced some wicked shots to Leuii's head.
In round five Leuii dropped Zinck twice with left hooks to the body, then went down himself from a savage onslaught just as the bell rang.
It was all Zinck in the last round and the fast tiring Leuii went through the ropes but got up to survive and lose a split decision.
In the penultimate bout, yet another heavyweight duel, was won by Iosua Asini Afoa (126.3kg) in a huge upset. He was awarded a first round TKO over Paulie Lakai (117.3kg) after a brawl straight out of a John Wayne movie. Supporters of the Tongan Lakai, who was being groomed as another Kitione Lave, claimed the fight was called off too early.
Supi Moimoi (88.5kg) gave away weight to newcomer Anapapa Gabriel (97kg) but still walked away with the four-round decision.
But the fight the fans really cheered over was the semi-pro battle between Jimmy Lolo (87.2kg) and Douglas Nathan (92kg). There wasn't a straight punch thrown during the stoush but the crowd roared non-stop throughout the entire three rounds. Lolo received a split decision. Die-hard fans hate these semi-pro affairs but the vast majority of the crowd love them.
Best amateur bout on the big undercard was a light-heavyweight fight between Wayne Orbell (Focus Fit) and Zig Zag Wallace (yes, that's his right name) of Te Awamutu. Wallace won after four bitter rounds.
