Inside the Fire: Fire Power 2 Boxing Explosion

Lee Oti laid claim to the WBF International crown and the top spot in the New Zealand division with his tough but unanimous decision win over game Lee Milner.  The bout headlined the Glozier Promotions “Fire Power 2 Boxing Explosion,” which also featured top cruiserweights Vaitele Soi and Junior Iakopo.

Oti spent the early rounds attacking the body of Milner, who pressed the action throwing right hands upstairs.  By the third round the nose of Milner had been bloodied by a left hook.  Oti began to box from a distance and land well timed overhand rights where his opponent had staked a claim to the center of the ring.  Milner had success keeping the fight in close, where his strength and mauling style began to wear down Oti.  This is where the fight would stay, with Oti boxing and using his length and Milner having moderate success inside.  Milner threw the kitchen sink at Oti in the final round but was unable to pin down his elusive foe.

Now on a six fight burn, Oti looks set for a showdown with fellow top local Steve Heremaia who he has split a pair of bouts with previously. 

Vaitele Soi and Junior Iakopo thrilled the crowd with one of the finest bouts this country has ever seen.  Both showed tremendous poise in the early goings, picking their shots.  Soi was dominant in the early goings, exploiting openings and unloading heavy when he was able to pin Iakopo to the ropes.  Iakopo showed good movement but had his head snapped back with 1-2 in the third and ate a three-punch combo in the following round.  In forcing Iakopo to fight off the ropes, Soi was able to catch his opponent until Iakopo connected with some counter left hooks of his own that seemingly changed the momentum of the fight.  Both were happy to begin trading in close however it is Iakopo that is getting the better of the exchanges, with the fifth stanza being his best of the fight and Soi seeming to tire.  The sixth and final round saw some vicious exchanges before Soi managed to establish some distance and stick and move until the final bell.  Soi continued his unbeaten run with a majority decision win that everyone in attendance would call for a rematch for.

In undercard action Rohit Singh scored a vicious 14 second (including count) stoppage over Ali Maruf.  Singh flattened Maruf with the first punch of the fight and Maruf lay unconscious for a couple of minutes until he could be revived.

Isaac Peach controlled the action with a longer reach and tighter punches in his unanimous decision win over Peter Tovio.  Peached boxed a good fundamental fight, utilizing his reach and using his jab to set up right hands while Tovio lept in and generally tried to take Peach’s head off with every punch.

Ratuere was able to wear down Junior Toelefoa for a third round knockout.  Toelefoa’s speed and movement are blurring early as they offset his disadvantages in size and power however Ratuere’s strength started to show in the second and he began to hurt Toelefoa with every punch that eventually forced the referee to stop the action.

Results

Professional

WBF Light-Middleweight International Title Bout

Lee Oti beat Brad Milner via unanimous decision

Vaitele Soi beat Junior Iakopo via majority decision

Taito Ratuere beat Junior Toelefoa via knockout in the third round

Elisara Sii Uta beat Bob Gasio  via majority decision

Roger Adlam beat Jake Paul via unanimous decision

Isaac Peach beat Peter Tovio via unanimous decision

Rohit Singh beat Ali Maruf via knockout in the first round

Corporate

Solomon Kiri beat Jordan Tolovaa via majority decision

Tai Tupou beat Christ Awheto via knockout in the third round

John Falevaai beat Peter Mauga via unanimous decision

Jerry McFarland beat Samuel Kay via majority decision

Sione Siale beat Norman Iopu via knockout in the first round

Ken Stowers beat Jonny Van Altvorst via unanimous decision

Stallone Munn beat Troy Penio via majority decision

Mafi Lutu beat Sealu Setu via knockout in the third roundNZFighters article found here

My Super Sweet ICNZ16

Undefeated as a professional ICNZ Light Heavyweight champion Brendan “The Wrath” Ropati is starting to make some ripples in the world scene.  A blend of size, speed and athleticism, the Oliver MMA trained fighter underwent his toughest test against Bellator and King of the Cage veteran “Smilin” Sam Alvey s the headlining bout at ICNZ16.

The flagship event for the Industry of Combat.  ICNZ16 showcased five professional bouts supported by five A-Class fights.  Also on the card, “Dynamite” Doug Higgins would attempt to defend his featherweight strap against tough Brit James “Scraps” Saville and Simo Postings drops to lightweight to fight Sam Gascoigne.

The packed crowd at the North Shore Events centre were treated to a hard fought battle as Ropati successfully defended his title in gaining a unanimous nod.  The opening round saw both feel each other and set their distance and they landed kicks to the body and traded combinations before Ropati was able to land a takedown in the second.  While attempting to gain his opponent’s back, he is thrown off and Alvey is able to work his way into Ropati’s guard and administer some ground and pound. They continue to exchange equally on

their feet in the final round before Ropati is deducted a point for an apparent eye gouge.  Fully aware of the close nature of the bout, “The Wrath” begins to push the pace however he is greeted with Alvey’s best punch of the fight.  With time running out, and with both fighters hungry for the win, they exchange wildly until the fight is over.

Ropati fought a great tactical fight against an opponent with legitimate experience in a premier promotion, showing maturity and poise and, when Alvey was able to get the better of the exchanges,  he didn’t let his emotions or pride get in the way of the ultimate goal of victory.  The sky seems the limit for the Steve Oliver protégé as he proved he could cope with a serious step up in competition.

In the co-headliner, James Saville laid waste to ICNZ Featherweight champion “Dynamite” Doug Higgins in only one round.  The action was fast, as “Scraps” steps inside and drops Higgins with the first right hand he throws.  Saville pounces on his opponent and his follow up blows almost seem purely academic as the referee steps in to save Higgins from any more punishment.  

Sam Gascoigne continued to make his presence felt in the lightweight division after decisioning Simo Postings.  The first round was highlighted by a massive Gascoigne takedown and Postings closing the round pounding away inside his opponent’s guard.  Postings defends well from his back in the second however he finds himself on the defensive for almost the entire round.  This continues in the third, with Postings face now looking like something painted by Jackson Pollock.  Now behind on all the cards, Postings throws the kitchen sink at Gascoigne and is able to land a hard overhand during the final ten seconds.   

Results

A Class 80kgs:
Mike Potae (Core MMA) beat Kenton Rushbridge (Auckland MMA) via decision

A Class 67kgs:
Phillip Brown (Oliver MMA) beat Dustin Terill (Southern Tribes Taranaki) via majority decision

A Class 83kgs:
Benjamin Yeomin (Ground Control MMA) beat Vince Lowe (Team Submission) via unanimous decision

A Class 83kgs:
Selby Deveroux (Oliver MMA) beat Zahn Buchanan (Intergrated Fighting) via unimous decision

A Class 80kgs:
Nick Allan (Team Submission) beat Benoit Auvray (Gracie Oceania NZ) via unanimous decision

Pro-class Heavyweight:
Mika Maliefulu (Oliver MMA) beat Sean Morris (Independent) via submission (armbar)

Pro-Class Heavyweight:
After three rounds, the fight between Pane Haraki (Fierce Fitness)  and Steven Warby (City MMA) was declared a draw.  After a fourth round, Steven Warby was announced the winner via split decision

Pro-Class Lightweight:
Sam Gascoigne (Oliver MMA) beat Simo Postings (Team Submission) via unanimous decision

Pro Class Featherweight:
James Saville (Caged Steel UK) beat Doug Higgins (Smac/Auckland MMA NZ) by knockout in round 1

Main Event - Pro Class Light Heavyweight:
Brandon "The Wraith" Ropati (Oliver MMA) beat Sam "Smilin" Alvey (Team Quest USA) via unanimous decisionNZFighters article found here

Roots Bloody Roots: ICNZ’s Grassroots 2

The fight game is a brutal mistress and, if you don’t respect her, she will spit you out and move on with the guy at her work who laughs at her jokes.  In fact, her history is riddled with those spurned and her wrath extends further than the fact that you’ve been hanging out with your “loser mates again.”

Thus, I’ve always had a great respect of those who lace up the gloves and risk it all.  To be a champion.  To scratch that combative itch.  To entertain the fans.  And first fights can often seem like first trysts, over way too fast and not at all what you were expecting.

As a prelude to ICNZ16, Grassroots 2 featured 9 B-Class bouts, with many of the combatants being sent on their maiden voyages.  All the hours of technique, conditioning and pain would now be put on display and a lot of the icebergs and rogue waves in front of them were also finding their way through uncharted waters.

Early crowd favorite Kevin “KevDav” Davis offset a size differential with good all-round skills in gaining a decision win over Jordan Porter.   Porter, despite taking the fight on a couple of days notice, strikes well from the outside early before Davis catches him coming in with a standing guillotine.  “KevDav” begins wrenching on his opponents neck like he is trying to tear it off for what seems like an age until Porter is able to free himself before the round ends.  Davis takes his opponent to the ground in the second as he lands shots to the body.  A stray limb is all the opportunity Davis needs as he attempts an ankle lock before Porter sweeps into the mount, then side control, and punishes Davis’ body.  With the cards seemingly locked up, Porter comes out swinging in the third.  He takes down Davis, and mounts him, however Davis is defending well and taking minimum punishment.  This classic ‘striker versus grappler’ battle is close with Davis winning on two of the three judges cards.

Mike Williams scored a dramatic third round knockout over Eruera Piwari.  Williams’ advantage on the feet was apparent early and Piwari keeps him honest with a huge slam.  Piwari works for a triangle attempt and Williams is able to hold on until the end of the round.  Both are more cautious in the second round, throwing single strikes and attempting to set up opportunities.  The final round sees Williams assert himself on his feet, outgunning Piwari as they both start to fatigue.  As the clock ticks down, Williams’ shots are starting to find a home.  With only 4 seconds left on the clock, a Williams punch knocks Piwari clear into next week in a knockout of the night worthy performance.

In women’s action, Krissy Pettman used her better grappling to defeat Tairi Ford.  Ford has some success with the right hand early but Pettman is able to push her up against the cage, take her down and work the body.  This pattern repeats in the second, and it is unfortunate that we don’t get to see Ford use her hands more, as it is punctuated with Pettman attempting a guillotine.  Once again, Ford is unable to keep her distance in round three as Pettman clinches and muscles her against the cage wall.  Pettman’s jiu-jitsu comes into play as she transitions seamlessly from guard, to side-control to full mount, always maintaining the dominant position and earning a clear unanimous decision.

Results

B Class 113kgs:
Ali Hau (Oliver MMA) B class beat Maifea Maifea (Brasa Jiu Jitsu) via split decision

B Class 80kgs:
Julius Poananga (Core MMA) beat Patrick Childs (KRMA Auckland) via submission (armbar) in the first round

B Class 78kgs:
Kevin Davis (Intergrated Fighting) beat Jordan Porter (Strikeforce) via split decision

B Class 83kgs:
Vahid Unesi (Oliver MMA) beat RJ Peke-Raa (Wanganui MMA) via submission (Americana) in the first round

B Class 77kgs:
Mike Williams (Shuriken NZ) beat Eruera Piwari (Hybrid MMA) via knockout in round three

B Class 77kgs:
LJ Stephenson (Oliver MMA) beat Garth Ludic (Midas Fight Academy) via unanimous decision

B Class 69kgs:
Matthew Yeoman (Ground Control MMA) beat Jordan Dennis (Kapiti Boxing) via technical knockout (injury) in round one

B Class 73kgs:
Ray Daniels (Oliver MMA) beat Dave Stephenson (Independent) via submission in round two

B Class 59kgs:
Krissy Pettman (Oliver MMA) beat Tairi Ford (Lakeside BJJ) via unanimous decisionNZFighters article found here

Cameron Fails To Stop The Fool Monty

In claiming the lives of 670 New Zealand males a year, and being the most registered cancer in the country, prostate cancer is serious business.  And just as the afflicted brave fight the disease with everything they have, so would the 14 combatants of the Woodstock Reserve Fight For Life.  Taking themselves out of their chosen field of physical excellence and putting their health in harms way in order to selflessly pay tribute to sufferers while raising both awareness and funds.

Rather than being a simple vehicle for fund raising, this installment would also serve to answer a question heatedly slurred between two of New Zealand’s biggest fraternities;  What is tougher?  Rugby Union or Rugby League.

Although the results, in reality, lend little weight to the discourse, for the general public, it would scratch a curious itch as legends of union and league collided.  Headlined by former world title contender Shane Cameron facing league icon Monty Betham, the card would also feature household names Wendell Sailor, Carlos Spencer and Christian Cullen.

West Auckland’s Trusts Stadium served as host to our best and beautiful (plus us media degenerates) as men donned tuxedos and women competed for our attention.  Only random patches of the stands remained unoccupied as throngs steadily spilled inside and the anticipation and good times formed a thin fog that those in attendance fought to see through.

In the opening bout, former NZ Maori rep Slade MacFarland’s superior conditioning and punch output proved the deciding factor in his decision win over former Warrior’s ace Jerry Seuseu.  These two juggernauts set a fast opening pace with MacFarland landing right hands and having the better timing. 

Both threw caution to the wind in the second, planting their feet and exchanging heavy shots however the pace would prove more than Seuseu could handle as he began to tire and only throw single punches. 

MacFarland pushed the pace further in the third, landing a good uppercut and generally outworking his foe to gain a unanimous judges nod.

Hayley Holt and Paige Hareb turned in a fierce fight of the night performance over three rounds.  Holt’s advantages in size and reach were evident early and she displayed no duty of care toward her manicurist as she dished out huge right hands forcing the referee to administer a pair of standing eight counts. 

Hareb’s determination was evident in the second as she manages to turn the fight.  Bobbing and weaving into range she couldn’t miss with her left hook.  All the pressure forces Holt to cover however she connects with a right hand near the end of the round backs off her opponent.

Both fighters left it all in the ring in an extremely competitive final round.  Holt and Hareb exchange right hands and left hooks respectively and the final thirty seconds are combated like neither wants to lose.  Unfortunately, a winner must be crowned in the match and Holt takes a unanimous decision on the back of her first round success.

Former All Black first five dynamo Carlos Spencer’s superb physical conditioning only afforded him a draw with dual league international Awen Guttenbeil.  Spencer displayed good head movement in the first round as both tried to find their range.  The fighters went toe to toe in the second round, with Guttenbeil’s success coming from boxing from the outside. 

With Spencer being two rounds down going into the final stanza, he needed to find something special.  This didn’t seem possible as Guttenbeil trapped him in the corner midway through the round.  Then, seemingly with still some of that magic in his pockets, Spencer pulls an overhand right from behind his ear and unleashes it on Guttenbeil, who is given “the stanky leg” and is on a street that he doesn’t know the name of.  As the referee attempts to step between the fighters, Spencer, overtaken by some kind of preternatural bloodlust, wings hooks that drops the ex Warrior and Kiwi on the seat of his pants.  Guttenbeil is able to beat the count but was clearly relieved to hear the final bell.

Going into the feature bout, Shane Cameron’s team reasoned that their fighter would have nothing to gain.  A fringe world title challenger beating a part timer proves nothing whilst a, unimaginable, loss would completely derail his fighting career.  These notions would prove founded as Cameron lumbered to an uninspired decision win over Monty Betham. 

The former Warriors hooker never displayed any kind of fear towards Cameron as he repeatedly gestured his foe to engage him.  Cameron’s strategy was obviously to attack the body early however he seemed to lack any kind of foot or hand speed to catch up with Betham’s movement or crack his defense. 

Betham’s only real offense came from flurrying out of clinches as he danced around the ring, played to the crowd and shook his head in denial when Cameron landed flush.  Although entertaining, this approach is not the generally accepted way to win bouts. 

The fight would devolve in the fifth round, as both refused to break from a clinch and continued to punch long after the referee’s order to cease.  Despite advantages in every facet of the sport, and with five rounds of fatigue weighing on Betham, Cameron was unable to forge any dents as he continued to land hooks to the body and right hands. 

By the end, the rambunctious crowd had been seduced by Betham’s antics and, despite on the wrong end of a wide decision, he was given applause for both lasting against a seemingly insurmountable foe and providing entertainment while doing so.

Although events like Fight For Life aren’t exactly like anything promoted by the Marquess of Queensberry, the boxing-entertainment provided circumstantial evidence to a societies inquisition while simultaneously raising awareness about towards, as well as helping to KO, one of our countries most prolific knockout artists.  With efforts such as those of promoters Mammoth Events, with any luck, the referee will halt the bout sooner rather than later.

Results

Slade MacFarland beat Jerry Seuseu by unanimous decision

Wairangi Koopu beat Matua Parkinson by unanimous decision

Hayley Holt beat Paige Hareb by unanimous decision

The bout between Carlos Spencer and Awen Guttenbeil was declared a split draw

Isaac Luke beat Christian Cullen by split decision

Liam Messam beat Wendell Sailor by unanimous decision

Shane Cameron beat Monty Betham by unanimous decisionNZFighters article found here

Friday Night Fights

A thick and boisterous crowd filled the Auckland Boxing Association last Saturday as it played home to the Glozier promoted ‘Friday Night Fights.’  The varied card showcased everything from first timers to top New Zealand ranked light heavyweight Soulan Pownceby and cruiserweight Vaitele Soi, the latter of whom had only fought four days prior.  With eleven corporate fights and five professional bouts, those in attendance could afford to blink.  Action would only be in surplus.

Monica Tai showed off a neat combination of slickness and power in stopping Margo Smith in two rounds.  Tai impressed all from the beginning, utilising her head movement and firing combinations at every opening which were a far cry from her “Brawla” moniker.  Smith attempted to push the pace but ended up on the receiving end of right hands.  The second round saw Tai become more comfortable and plant her feet, delivering hard single shots.  A right hand counter hurts Smith and the referee has seen enough.

As the old adage goes, the fastest way between two points is a straight line, and it was exactly this approach that helped Junior Bilbar stop kickboxer Hadleigh Donald in the opening round of a furious dustup.  Neither hold anything back as the opening bell sounds and both feel the impact of the others punches.  Bilbar begins to lay back on the ropes and fire off straight hard shots, which is a strategy that serves him well.  A three-punch combination swiftly introduces Donald to the floor and it doesn’t seem like Jon Conway trained fighter is able to make it back up.  He does but is almost immediately wobbled by a straight right which forces a standing eight count.  With Donald on wobbly legs, Bilbar empties the tank for an electrifying win.

In the first professional bout of the evening, Lee Oti put all his skills on display in a knockout victory of Dicky Pereira.  Oti’s movement takes center stage in the first round as he provides Pereira with difficult angles, deftly moves away from punches and punishes his mistakes.  Pereira has some success with his right hand in the second and Oti answers by turning up his power game and landing hard hooks and crosses.  Oti begins to press more in the third and, in the next round, sits Pereira down with a straight right hand.  Sensing that he has worn down his opponent’s resolve, Oti rushes in and wings punches that drop Pereira in the corner.  Although he rises, Pereira is bloodied and beaten giving the referee every reason to call a halt to the contest.

Although game, Peter Tovi’o was forced to retire after the fourth round in his bout against Soulan Pownceby.  The bout appeared to be a mismatch early, with Pownceby seemingly unable to miss and Tovi’o offering only wild, single punch responses however his unwillingness to capitulate made the bout difficult for his foe.  The third round, in particular, provided toe-to-toe action as Pownceby’s best bounced off Tovi’o and were answered in kind.  This courageous stand was destined to be limited by time and Tovi’o began to wilt in the fourth, was wobbled by an overhand right and his own punches became lethargic. 

Vaitele Soi continued improved his undefeated record to 19-0 (18KOs) with his first round decimation of Filipo Masoe.  Both clearly are adverse to any involvement from the judges and trade furiously early on.  A huge Soi power shot nearly blasts Masoe into next week and he finds himself on his back  early.  Able to beat the count, Soi bulls him into a corner and starts letting his hands go.  After copping some right hands, and unable to actively defend himself, the referee steps in to stop the carnage in the very first round.

Results

Corporate

Anna Leilua beat Veronica Maxwell by knockout in round 1
The bout between Peter Morrow and Jai Hill was declared a draw
Dan Fleming beat Shaun George by unanimous decision
Monica Tai beat Margo Smith by knockout in round 2
Gavin Speak beat Mike Burkett by majority decision
James Tonga beat Matt Sakavia by majority decision
Joel Smith beat Andre Choi by majority decision
Junior Bilbar beat Hadleigh Donald by knockout in round 1
Riaan Malaau beat Nathan Matonga by majority decision
Jordan Tolova’a beat Norman Iopu by knockout by round 3
The bout between Nick Suka and Kurt Mahani was ruled a majority draw

Professional
Lee Oti beat Dicky Pereira by knockout in round 3
Soulon Pownceby beat Peter Tovio by knockout after Tovio retired after round 4
Hemi Takarua beat Simi Tietie by knockout after Tietie retired after round 1
Rohit Sing beat Anmal Tiger by knockout in round 2
Vaitele Soi beat Filipo Masoe by knockout in round 1NZFighters article found here

Shuriken proves a Shore thing with Rising Soldiers

November 12th saw Shuriken MMA return to the North Shore Events Center following their extremely popular ‘Armageddon’ in April and, on the surface, ‘Rising Soldiers’ looked to be a carbon copy.  Packed house?  Check.  High quality explosive bouts?  Check.  Brandon Ropati?  Check. Shuriken would, once again, prove this to be a winning formula as all in attendance were served up 13 mixed martial arts bouts encompassing Corporate, B Class, A Class and Professional bouts.

Arthur Lasike and Wesley Higgins declared war on each other in an early Fight of the Night candidate.  Lasike seems intent to brawl early as he wings heavy punches and walks through everything offered in return.  A huge hook shakes Higgins to his shoes near the end of the first round and he is lucky to survive the round.  He is able to return the favour in the second, dropping Lasike, but he is unable to capitalize.  The final stanza is tight as Higgins lands right hands while Lasike counter-punches effectively.  After seemingly leaving everything they have in the ring, the judges find this bout too close to call and ask these gladiators to squeeze out one more round.  When the dust settled, it was Lasike still standing tall, as he won the final round on the back of his takedowns and precision punching.

                                              (Video produced by Jacob Toms - Ten 8 Media/NZFighters)

Brad Ramsey sets the standard for the A Class bouts with his first round knockout of Keanu Roberts.  Barely giving his opponent time to think, Ramsey jumps Roberts early and the fight goes to the ground.  Ramsey unleashes heavy ground and pound and, due to accumulation of punches, the referee is forced to step in and save a tenderized Roberts from further punishment.

CrossFit proponent Logan Price was given a jiu-jitsu lesson by Yakob Brown in another A Class bout.  Price reels from a right hand early before he is taken down.  Brown softens up his foe with punches from the top before Price gives up his back and is submitted with a rear naked choke in the opening stanza.

Seemingly wanting to be part of the ‘first round crew’, Sam Gascoigne submitted Alex Redhead with a guillotine choke barely a couple of minutes into the contest.  Redhead shoots early on his adversary, and slams him to the mat, however Gascoigne manages to trap him in a guillotine.  No matter how hard he tries, Redhead can not free himself and is forced to tap out.

Professional Light Heavyweight Brandon Ropati continued to impress after steam rolling Australia’s Piki Te Ringa in under a minute.  Both fighters clinch early before Ropati picks up Te Ringa and almost drives him through the floor.  Te Ringa makes it back to all fours however Ropati connects with a couple bombs before a vicious uppercut relieves his opponent of his senses and drops him hard on his face.  The display further put the New Zealand Light Heavyweight on notice as “The Wrath” improved to 4-0.

Results

Kickboxing
Jazz Collins beat Makere Phillips by split decision

MMA B Class Bouts
Leyla Okay (Roundhouse) beat Leiarra Radonich (Gracie Barra) by unanimous decision

Yukon Kemp (Syndikit MMA) beat Daemen Sani (Auckland MMA) by split decision

Matt Yeoman (Ground Control) beat Mike Su (Shuriken) by submission (rear naked choke) in the first round

Charles Wardle (Tu kaha Gym) beat Max Toaka (Syndikit MMA) by majority decision

BJ Yeoman (Ground Control) beat Mathew Samson (Integrated Fighting) by split decision

Adam Stringer (Shuriken MMA/Gracie Barra) beat Samuel Kim (A.U.M.M.A) by split decision

The bout between Arthur Lasike (Shuriken) Wesley Higgins (Integrated Fighting) was original called a majority draw however Lasike would end up beating Higgins by split decision after a fourth round

MMA A Class Bouts
Brad Ramsey (Hybrid MMA) beat Keanu Roberts (Syndikit MMA) by KO (punches) in the first round

Yakob Brown (JR Macgyver/Crolin Gracie) beat Logan Price (Shuriken) by submission (rear naked choke) in the first round

Sam Gascoigne (Gracie Barra) beat Alex Redhead (Tu Kaha Gym) by submission (guillotine choke) in the first round

Pro Class International Bouts
Pumau Campbell (JR Macgyver/Crolin Gracie) was disqualified in his bout against Hana Janan (Australia) after delivering an illegal upkick in the first round

Brandon Ropati (Gracie Barra) beat Piki Te Ringa (Australia) by KO (punches) in the first round - 1mins 13secsNZFighters article found here

King for a Day, Cool for a Lifetime: King of the Ring MAX

Elite Thai Kickboxing (ETK) has long been one of, if not the, premier kickboxing promotion in the New Zealand scene.  Headed by former K1 World Champion Jason “Psycho” Suttie, it’s fighters embody a pedigree not often seen on these shores.

Their latest instalment, King of the Ring MAX, would contain an 8 man middleweight tournament headlined by Anz ‘Notorious’ Nansen facing off against Erik ‘The Mustang’ Nosa for the vacant WKBF World Heavyweight championship.

City Lee Gar prospect Brad Riddell quickly established himself as a front runner with his second round decimation of Brendan Varty.  Varty’s early volume and combination punching couldn’t rattle the super cool Riddell, who picked his openings and landed dynamite lead hooks. Varty continues to press during the second round, as he is able to corner Riddell and rip hooks to his body.  This is a strategy that works well for him until Riddell uncorks a left hook that puts Varty on a street that he doesn’t know the name of.  Although he rises, he is instantly buckled and the referee is forced to step in as he is helpless to stop the pressure.

In the toughest draw of the preliminary bouts, Joe Hopkins won a hard fought decision over Dmitri Simoukov.  Simoukov appeared to have trouble with Hopkins southpaw style early and eats a knee to the head that deposits him half way across the ring.  Tough as all get out, Simoukov makes it to his feet and lasts the rest of the round.  The second stanza is far more successful for ‘Molotov’, who is able to trade with Hopkins in a back and forth round.  Hopkins starts to use his length in the final round and controls most of the action.  Knowing that he needs a big round, Simoukov ups the tempo however it is not enough in the eyes of the judges.

In a rematch, Lightweight contenders Chris Wells and Joey Baylon threw volleys of kicks and punches at each other over three furious round in the evenings first ‘Superfight’.  Wells took control of the bout by pushing the pace and landing kicks to the body over the first two rounds and a spinning back kick in the final stanza to take a unanimous judges nod.

The King of the Ring tournament continued with the semi-final bouts.  In the upset of the tournament, Edwin Samy edged Brad Riddell on the judge’s cards.  Riddell’s sharp boxing was on display as he landed hard right hands and was able to stifle Samy’s offence.  Samy started to exert himself more in the last two rounds, which was seemingly enough to take an unpopular decision.

In the other semi-final, Jo Hopkins was clinical in dispatching the towering Girish Rae in the opening round.  Hopkins showed little respect for Rae’s power and hurt him with every straight left he landed.  Rae is bulled into a corner before a left hand and a knee put him out for the count.

Local favourite Antz ‘Notorious’ Nansen battered Erik Nosa for four rounds in a brutal display to capture the WKBF Heavyweight title.  Nansen wasted no time in the ring, getting into

the groove early and showing poise in picking his openings.  Nosa was game but ultimately overwhelmed as the ETK prodigy blasted him with hooks, dropping him in the third, and

twice in the fourth, until he was unable to answer the referee’s count.

Despite the wear and tear of the two previous bouts, Jo Hopkins and Edwin Samy went toe-to-toe in the King of the Ring MAX middleweight final.  The first round was tightly contested as both landed their share of punishment.  Samy’s technical style served him well in the second stanza as Hopkins seemingly had trouble working him out.  Sensing a close fight,

both competitors went to war in the final round and, as Samy got the better of the exchanges, Hopkins started to box more and control the distance.  In the end, the judges award a split decision, and the King of the Ring middleweight title, to Jo “Southpaw” Hopkins in a fight that could’ve easily gone the other way.

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Results

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The bout between Ricky Hita [ETK] and Travis Green [Strikeforce] was declared a no contest as Hita appeared to injure his knee in the first round.

King of the Ring Preliminaries
Brad Riddell [City Lee Gar, Auckland] beat Brendan Varty [Harleys Kickboxing, Masterton] by TKO in round 2

Edwin 'Electric' Samy [ETK, Auckland] beat Sonny Sadler [Hardmans Gym, Northland] by unanimous decision

Joe 'Southpaw' Hopkins [City Lee Gar, Auckland] beat Dimitri 'Molotov' Simoukov [ETK, Auckland] by unanimous decision

Girish Rae [Fi-G Training, Dunedin] beat Taylor Holland [Pathai Gym, Auckland] by unanimous decision

Professional Lightweight Bout
Chris Wells [SMAC] beat Joey 'The Filipino Kid' Baylon [ETK] by unanimous decision

King of the Ring Semi-Finals
Edwin 'Electric' Samy [ETK, Auckland] beat Brad Riddell [City Lee Gar, Auckland] by split decision

Joe 'Southpaw' Hopkins [City Lee Gar, Auckland] beat Girish Rae [Fi-G Training, Dunedin] by knockout in round 1

WKBF Heavyweight Championship bout
Antz 'Notorious' Nansen (ETK, Auckland) beat Erik 'The Mustang' Nosa (Bustler’s Gym, Sydney) by knockout in round 4

King of the Ring MAX Final
Joe 'Southpaw' Hopkins [City Lee Gar, Auckland] beat Edwin 'Electric' Samy [ETK, Auckland] by split decisionNZFighters article found here