Big Native American heavyweight Chauncy Welliver won the vacant New Zealand National Boxing Federation version of the heavyweight title (Shane Cameron holds the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association crown) in bizzare circumstances at the Auckland YMCA on August 16 when his opponent Daniel Tai was disqualified after landing a series of low blows in the second round.
"I won, but it wasn't the way I would have liked to," the likeable Yank said after the event. "I was expecting a good, tough, in-your-face slugging contest. After all that's the way Daniel Tai is. But after a few minutes he was bleeding and I don't think I missed him with a single jab while he didn't land a punch on me, so he hit me low. Some ringsiders counted seven low shots while others said it was more like 11."
Strangely the big crowd more there for the corporate bouts which made up the entire undercard enjoyed the unorthodox main event so first time promoter, Regan Foley, plans to go again.
Originally from Spokane, Washington, but now representing Auckland, is keen for an Australasian heavyweight title fight with new Aussie champ, John Hapoate.
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A big crowd finally returned the Auckland Boxing Association's Stadium on August 28 when sensational novice pro Adrian Taihia (74.5kg), who had knocked out his previous three opponents in one round, was held to a draw by tough boxer/kickboxer Steve Anderson (74.1kg) over four rounds. Both boxers' camps thought they had won and a return looks a certainty.
I had Taihia winning the first two rounds while Anderson came on strong down the straight so I thought a deadhead a fair call.
In the only other pro fight on an excellent bill, Michelle Preston (54.2kg) punched the straighter to take a four-round points win over Christina Tai (57.1kg).
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In a huge upset, Faimassa Tavui of Samoa, outpointed Zulfikar Joy Ali over 10 rounds at the Otara Recreation Centre on August 10. Ali, who has held PABA and OBA titles and is the current Fiji supermiddleweight champion, badly underestimated his shorter opponent reputed to having only his second pro fight. Other results:- lightmiddleweight, Iona Tana Puna win points 6 rounds Ray Musson; heavy, Amosa Zinck w pts 4 Oscar Talemaira; cruiserweight, Oscar Siale w pts 4 Tapanuu Tagilima; heavy, Chauncy Welliver w pts 4 Mike Lloyd.
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A small crowd was on hand to witness the first indigenous Australian amateur representative team to fight in New Zealand at the Porirua Club on September 7. In an excellent card the "koorie" team outpointed a New Zealand selection 5-1.
The fight between Moysten Neiman and Wellington's Jae Bryce was a beauty while it lasted while Mooree's Cammeron Hammond showed real class in outpointing promising Kiwi Ricky Murphy.
Complete results:- Tegann Madden (NZ) beat Jessica Williams (Aust) 24-10; Abe Archibald (Aust) bt Louis Gyson (NZ) 22-14; Timacoy Williams (NZ) bt Marley Mihaere (Aust) rsc; Cammeron Hammond (Aust) bt Ricky Murphy (NZ) 48-20; Moysten Neiman (Aust) bt Jae Bryce (Well) rsc.
In two other amateur bouts, Palani Pani (Auckland) bt John Roll (Wellington) pts and Kahu Bentson (Auck) bt Joe Blackbourn (Wellington) pts.
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The winning of the Aussie heavyweight title by former league player John Hapoate brings to mind another former top league forward Herb Narvo, who fought between 1942 and 1946 and won the heavyweight title by knocking out Billy "Wokko" Britt in Newcastle in 1943 in 25s. Herb also had two victories over another Aussie league great Ray Stehr. Herb was still a legend in Newcastle when I was up there in the late 60s.
