A full partisan crowd braved dreadful weather to attend ‘Put Up or Shut Up', a Craig Thomson and PunchFit promotion, and were rewarded with an entertaining night of corporate and professional boxing. Those early to arrive were treated to UPFM's DJ Rowie spinning his own special blend of hip-hop, funk and soul tunes.
As the show began, ring announcer "Lieutenant" Daniel Hennessey greeted the crowd and introduced the two stunning ring girls; both named Jo, I was assured that they weren't clones even though that kind of thing is possible. We are to be served up fourteen delicious bouts, which included exhibition sparring, male and female amateur bouts with a couple of professional fights as the headliners.
Exhibition Sparring
Albert Choi vs Hadley Donald
Round 1
Donald, the much taller fighter, comes out jabbing early and is controlling the ring well with his reach and aggression. He lands a solid left hook and Choi appears, at these early stages, to just be outgunned. Donald lands another four-punch combo and Choi is not covering well and seems very aware of his opponent's power.
Round 2
Donald begins sticking that long jab to start the second round and Choi is doing well to answer. Donald is using great movement and parrying to stifle Choi's attack and even as Choi lands a right hook Donald goes straight back to pressing the action and gets home with a right hand. Donald is just overall a skill set above and Choi is no match for anything he brings to the table. He's simply too accurate, too strong, too fast and too skilled and forcing his jab halfway down Choi's throat.
Round 3
Choi tries to make amends starting proactively in the third but he is tagged with a straight right for his efforts. Donald returns to sticking the jab and parrying which makes Choi seem a little out of his depth. He ramps up the aggression and clubs a covering Choi with hooks from both hands. Donald has exerted his superiority from start to finish.
Bout 1. Corporate Welterweight Contest 3 x 2 minute rounds
Tera Moki, 66.60kgs vs Matt Arbuckle, 66.60kgs
Round 1
Arbuckle begins the round by feinting and trying to close the distance but is caught by a jab on the way in. Both are tentative and trying to figure the other out. lands a one-two but it appears glancing as Moki is able to move away from the worst of it, which is something he is doing well in these early stages. There is not a lot connecting through the first round however an Arbuckle right hand snaps Moki's head back before the round is out.
Round 2
Arbuckle starts the second aggressively but eats a jab coming in before landing a jab of his own. He then connects
Round Three:
An Arbuckle right hand starts the round and he follows it up with a lead right. Moki seems tentative at this point and is not really pushing his punches. They trade, Arbuckle connects with a right and Moki goes back to moving around the ring. Arbuckle is able to close the distance and brings sustained heat however Moki is covering. Being on the ropes and not responding the referee issues Moki with a standing eight count. Moki returns to using his footwork to evade the sustained Arbuckle offensive that follows. He, however, finds himself on the ropes where Arbuckle punishes his body. Moki just seems to be punished by his lack of offence; he has great movement and timing but no real firepower.
In an aggressive display, Matt Arbuckle earns a unanimous decision.
Bout 2. Corporate Welterweight Contest 3 x 2 minute rounds
Vanvan Cagney, 59.85kgs vs James Chao, 64.50kgs
Round 1
Southpaw Chao starts the bout by landing a hard overhand, he is certainly coming on strong at these early stages but can't connect with anything of note. Cagney is moving well and lands a right hook but seems to be unwilling to exchange. He lands a jab before the end of the round.
Round 2
Choi opens with a right hand to the body and Cagney comes forward and throws but is countered by a Choi left.
Round 3
Cagney starts the round proactively however his shots have nothing on them as he seems too aware of getting tagged. Seeing this, Choi ramps up the aggression and has Cagney covering. A great Choi hook shakes Cagney who is attempting to cover up and move away. Cagney is way too defensive to be in this fight as he just seems frustrated by Choi's southpaw style and skills.
James Choi wins a unanimous decision.
Bout 3. Corporate Cruiserweight Contest 3 x 2 minute rounds
Danny Ugapo, 87.00kgs vs Beau Milner, 80.90kgs
Round 1
Milner opens with a right to the body and Ugapo responds with a lightning fast one-two. Milner goes to the body followed by a left hook upstairs yet Ugapo answers right back and only seems willing to engage. A stiff Milner jab backs Ugapo off and he also lands a jab to the body followed by an overhand right. Although both engage willingly, Milner has been the more aggressive in the first round.
Round 2
Milner misses with a wild right hook to start the second and Ugapo gets home a shot to the body. They exchange 
Round 3
The final stanza sees a return to the hard action that has defined this bout and neither shows signs of tiring. Ugapo is starting to land more frequently and connects with a good right hand. Milner is coming forward and throwing vicious shots, which Ugapo is eating for lunch and still seems hungry. Milner lands a left to the body and is caught by an uppercut coming in. Ugapo starts bringing the heat and connects with a one-two. Milner seems discouraged from exchanging with the late pressure.
By having a busier first and second round, Beau Milner wins a hard fought split decision
Bout 4. Corporate Middleweight Contest 3 x 2 minute rounds
Ben Vaughan, 72.00kgs vs Adrian Bentley, 69.80kgs
Round 1
Both start fast, Bentley flurries but not much lands. A Vaughn left hook and right hand wobbles Bentley on the ropes but he manages to move away. Vaughn is loading up his shots successfully and he backs Bentley into the ropes where they clinch and the ref breaks them up. He displays great early parrying as he is able to block most of Bentley's punches. A Vaughn right hand has Bentley covering on the ropes. He tries to move and Vaughn chases
Round 2
Vaughn eats two uppercuts from a Bentley but he is showing good head movement and is able to parry most of the offence. Bentley throws a lead hook, which Vaughn returns and then savages Bentley's mid before delivering an overhand right. Bentley responds with a jab, which is blocked, followed by a right hand. He tries to flurry but Vaughn's defence means it is all picked off. Two more overhand rights have Bentley backing up.
Round 3
Vaughn feints and lands a left hook that backs Bentley up. Another overhand right gets Bentley's attention but he is unable evade the following. The action is all Vaughn as he connects with hard hooks to the body and lands a counter right when Bentley attempts to throw. Bentley is backed against the ropes and lets fly with a couple of uppercuts that don't really land.
Although Bentley was game, Ben Vaughn simply had the better hand and earns a unanimous decision.
Bout 5. Corporate Heavyweight Contest 3 x 2 minute rounds
Niko Muliagatele, 103.60kgs vs Matt Hay, 110.80kgs
Round 1
The early going sees Hay attempting to jab and box the considerably shorter Muliagatele, who is throwing looping shots but not connecting. By keeping his jab in Muliagatele's face, Hay is not allowing him to close the distance and
Round 2
Muliagatele unleashes a thudding overhand right but Hay shakes it off and returns to sticking and moving. He is doing a great job of boxing the stalking Muliagatele who slips a punch and responds with a left hook. He lands another cracking overhand right that is partially blocked and Hay responds with a right hand. The action is becoming sloppy and Hay catches Muliagatele coming in before the round ends.
Round 3
Hay begins the third with a right hand to the body followed by a stiff jab. Muliagatele is still winging wild shots and losing the exchanges to the tighter Hay who connects with a one-two. If only Muliagatele was a sharper boxer, as he seems to have the desire and power. He finally connects with a right hand but has been failed by his inaccuracy.
By displaying the better boxing and the straighter punches, Matt Hay wins by unanimous decision.
Bout 6. Corporate Women's Super Featherweight Contest 3 x 1 minute rounds
Kelly van Dorsten, 58.50kgs vs Elayna Verhaaren, 56.30kgs
Round 1
Verhaaren lands a one-two off the bat. Van Dorsten is coming forward and seems the stronger fighter. Any notion of defence is out the window as both land at will. Verhaaren connects with a jab and then goes to the body. Van 
Round 2
Van Dorsten's reach advantage is starting to show however Vanhaaren gets in a right hand. Vanhaaren is starting to evade more and attack the body but there is not much hot sauce on her punches. She lands a one-two to Van Dorsten's jab and follows up with a left hook. Van Dorsten uses her hard jab to back up her opponent before firing an overhand right.
Round 3
Van Dorsten lands a right hand they both exchange jabs. Vanhaaren throws the one-two with the two getting home. They both paw with the jab before Vanhaaren lands a right hook. They both exchange hooks and Vanhaaren is surging although it is a little wild. Van Dorsten's jab is almost gone and Vanhaaren finishes the stronger fighter.
Given the nip-tuck nature of this bout, it was no surprise that it ended in a draw.
Bout 7. Corporate Heavyweight Contest 3 x 2 minute rounds
Jarrod Murray, 90.10kgs vs Glen Farr, 93.00kgs
Round 1
The bout begins with an exchange of jabs. Farr lands a counter right before they trade right hooks. Murray is doing a good job of controlling the centre of the ring but he misses with wild shots and Farr counters. A left hand to the body staggers an off balance Murray.
Round 2
Murray lands a hard right hand early and the follow up assault has Farr down but he rises and beats the count. They trade wildly then Murray lands a hard jab and a right hand to the body. Farr's solid jab just can't back Murray off him and he flurries on a covering Murray.
Round 3
Far connects with a left hand and starts to pour it on. Not much lands for him and Murray responds with a right hand that backs him up. Farr is still sticking that stiff jab in his face but it is doing little functionally to Murray other than bloodying his nose. Farr lands two uppercuts off the ropes but can't keep Murray off him as the bout ends
Jarred Murray wins by split decision
Bout 8. Corporate Light Heavyweight Contest 3 x 2 minute rounds
Scott Thomson, 77.30kgs vs Leroy Morris-Peneha, 79.30kgs
Round 1
Peneha opens by landing a right hand to the body and using his head movement to evade the pawing jab of 
Round 2
Peneha, sensing Thomson hasn't recovered, is looking for a big shot. He moves and slips punches before delivering a big hook to Thomson's mid. Thomson answers with a right hand and is then forced to weather Peneha's arsenal. Thomson eats a massive right hand which has him on unstable legs and Peneha keeps firing shots through the loose guard of his opponent. Thomson goes down hard and the referee doesn't even bother to count.
Leroy Peneha puts his explosive power on display in a KO win over Scott Thomson
Bout 9. Corporate Women's Middleweight Contest 3 x 2 minute rounds
Courtney Sweeney, 75.50kgs vs Flo Alesana, 68.80kgs
Round 1
Sweeney is using her considerable height and reach advantage to full effect in deploying her jab. Alesana lands a big right hand but Sweeney is able to shake it off. Sweeney gets inside Alesana's range and eats another right hand. Alesana unleashes two hooks to the body but they have little behind them. Sweeney is able to get back in control of the distance using her jab and straighter punches. Alesana is really loading up her shots but Sweeney is
Round 2
Alesana turns up the tempo early and backs Sweeney into a corner. Sweeney is far more accurate and active as well as having the better feet and speed. Alesana lands two right hands, the second of which rocks Sweeney who continues to throw straight punches and use her movement.
Round 3
Sweeney continues to use her reach and control the distance. Alesana connects with a right hand and Sweeney rallies and is pouring on straight shots. She is just the more proactive fighter whereas Alesana keeps looking to load up the right hand. A nice one-two lands for Sweeney but Alesana wears it without blinking. Alesana is still coming forward and walks into an uppercut before being attacked to the body. The bout ends with Sweeney firing straight shots.
In being more accurate and active, Courtney Sweeney wins by split decision.
Bout 10. Corporate Women's Cruiserweight Contest 3 x 2 minute rounds
Sabine Brooke, 84.10kgs vs Faith Gabriel, 89.00kgs
Round 1
Brooke is an absolute amazon in contrast to the solidly built Gabriel and attempts to establish the jab early. She is not controlling the distance
Round 2
Brooke looks to box and Gabriel is putting all her faith in her right hand. Brooke eats one and returns to jabbing, unfortunately she is just pawing it which doesn't keep Gabriel out of range.
Round 3
Gabriel starts the third with a big overhand right. Brooke continues to box and Gabriel throws a wild right that spins her around. Brooke lands a great three punch combo and that ends with a lead hook however Gabriel is still pressing forward. Brooke's composure disappears briefly and eats a pair of huge right hands. Gabriel continues to land right hands which forces Brooke to tie her up. Gabriel senses that Brooke is tiring and starts to push the pace.
It was too little, too late for Faith Gabriel as Sabine Brooke edges by with a split decision.
Bout 11. Corporate Heavyweight Contest 3 x 2 minute rounds
Scott Murray, 113.00kgs vs Phineas Mann, 108.50kgs
Round 1
Mann starts off attacking the body of Murray and moving his head well. Murray unleashes a looping left hook that finds home. Murray is fairly wild in his attack but, being the larger fighter, he manages to catch Mann coming in. Murray is showing little to no movement but is dominant through his superior timing. Another Murray left hand
Round 2
Murray lands a couple of his long jabs to start the second. Even though Mann seems the more athletic fighter, he just can't make it work and Murray lands another jab followed by a right hand to the body. Another big Murray right hand sees the referee step in again and give a standing eight count. Murray is just landing the cleaner, harder punches at this point and he tees off on Mann on the ropes to which Mann responds with hooks of his own.
Round 3
Murray seems content to pot shot whilst Mann is unsuccessful in his attempts to string together any offence. They exchange right hands, with Murray's being the harder of the two. Murray presses Mann on the ropes and wings away with hooks, one of which snaps Mann's head back. Mann attempts to fight out of it but eats a hard right and just begins winging punches. Another Murray right hand sees Mann clinch.
With the harder punches and the better timing, Scott Murray comes away with a unanimous decision.
We take a break in the card to showcase some "big glove action." Two merry competitors are lead to the ring for a one-minute, all-out brawl with the audience deciding the victor. Instead of touching gloves the blue corner takes the chance to land a cheap shot. The blue corner obviously has no grasp of the sweet science as he holds and hits and generally fights dirty. The red corner gets home with a hard right and the audience applauds and the blue corner throws him to the ground. The red corner gets up and displays tenacity in landing another right hand. From here the skill really dissipates as the blue corner takes off one glove in order to make it a "fair" fight. The round ends and the red corner is deservedly awarded the victor.
Bout 12. Professional Heavyweight Contest 4 x 3 minute rounds
Clarence Tillman(USA), 138.60kgs vs John Argall, 123.30kgs
Round 1
Argall starts fast and lands a right to the body followed by a one-two. Tillman is covering but seems fairly lethargic. Both
Round 2
Tillman puts his overhand right to work early. Argall lands and Tillman pretends to wobble before coming forward and landing a one-two that makes Argall respect his power. Argall returns the one-two and Tillman once again plays to the crowd before delivering a huge left hook. Argall clinches where Tillman finds space to throw some uppercuts. They break and Tillman corners Argall and catches him with a massive right hand which puts him down hard. Argall makes it back to his feet but Tillman applies pressure and lands another right hand that returns him to the mat. The ref begins to count but it is clear that Argall doesn't want it anymore.
Showing massive power, Clarence Tillman wins by knockout.
Referee: Andrew Bell
Judges: Carrick Belton, Geoff Belton, Greg Burgess
Result: Win to C. Tillman, TKO2. 2mins 59secs. 19/18, 19/17, 20/16
Bout 13. Professional Heavyweight Contest 4 x 3 minute rounds
Jamieson Bostic (USA), 84.00kgs vs Vini Mahoni, 95.00kgs
Round 1
Southpaw Bostic starts by sticking out that long jab and landing a one-two. He repeats the process and shows great
Round 2
Mahoni flurries but Bostic moves away from most of it. Mahoni throws and is countered by an uppercut. Bostic is pawing the jab, controlling the distance and Mahoni just can't close effectively. Bostic lands an uppercut and lead hook and Mahoni's efforts are glancing at best. A pair of big overhand right lands for Mahoni which don't faze Bostic and he returns to deploying that long jab.
Round 3
Bostic comes out aggressively at the start of the third but walks into a straight right hand. He is wearing shots well though as Mahoni ducks and shoots a right hand to the body.
Round 4
Mahoni is wild and Bostic's movement means that he is gone before Mahoni's punches get there. Mahoni shoots inside and is caught by an uppercut before landing a right hand. Bostic tries to clinch and Mahoni fires an uppercut. Two left hand leads land for Bostic who is still moving really well and making Mahoni chase him. Mahoni just can't land anything.
Using superior reach and movement, Jameson Bostic wins a gritty split decision against a game Vini Mahoni who only took the fight on short notice. Even though the decision is unpopular, Bostic simply was the superior fighter.
Referee: John Conway
Judges: Carrick Belton, Geoff Belton, Greg Burgess
Result: Win to J. Bostic, Majority Points. 38/38, 40/35, 40/35
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