Boxing: Fight night exciting, a hit with crowd

At the Tupapa centre on Thursday evening, a large crowd enjoyed an exciting exhibition of amateur boxing staged by the Cook Islands Amateur Boxing Association (CIABA) as a lead up to the tournament against Tahiti later this month.
The CIABA presented eight bouts from Junior level to the internationally experienced “seniors.”
Starting at 7pm, it was all over before 10pm but not before the crowd witnessed some great action and an eventful evening. It is the first time boxing has been staged at the Centre which proved to be a most satisfactory location. The ring was positioned a metre above the floor giving all a good view of the action.
The action began with crowd pleasing junior match- up between Tika and James from the Muri Club and ended with the main event, the bout of the Heavyweights, Super Heavyweight Bernard Okotai from the Titikaveka Club against the Heavyweight Osolai Hagai from the Mongoose Club which had the crowd yelling and shouting as Bernard relentlessly hounded Osolai around the ring.
Boxers from five clubs took part; Muri (trainer-Graham Taylor), Arorangi (trainer-Teava Matapo), Mongoose (trainer-Tom Marsters), Titikaveka (trainer-Ringiao Anguna) and Nikao.
Ring announcer was Chris Manu, Jury member and Time Keeper was Trish Barton, the medical doctor was Dr Teariki Faireka who examined all boxers prior to the fights, sharing the Judging and refereeing were Tevita Vakalalabure, Paul Allsworth, Teava Matapo, Puna Dyer and Joe Haupini. The event opened with a prayer by Teava Matapo and later, was closed with a prayer by John Andrew Snr, a former top boxer from Arorangi.
The following is a report on the bouts.
Tika, Muri Club, 32kg, age 10 fights-2 versus James, Muri Club,39kg, age 11,fights-5.
This junior bout was taken out by James on an unanimous decision. Both fighters displayed good boxing skills including punches and footwork. It was a crowd pleaser.
Rauti, Muri Club, 63 kg, age 15, fights-2 versus Teariki Samuel, Arorangi Club, 67.9kg, age 16, fights-0
This was a good exhibition of boxing especially in round one. Rauti however took standing counts in all rounds and Samuel won this contest.
Iete Pukerua, Arorangi Club, 69.9kg, age 16, fights-0 versus Travel Muri, Muri Club, 71kg,age16,fights-0
This fight between two novices ended with the referee Tevita Vakalalabure stopping the bout in round one on a TKO –technical knock out, after Iete was given two standing counts in the first round. Tevita told the Judges Travel was too good and Iete was outclassed. Travel won by TKO.
Peter Petero, Muri Club,89kg, age 29, fights-1 versus Dion Wigmore, Titikaveka Club, 116kg, age 20, fights-0
Although Petero took a standing count in the first round, he eventually won the fight by unanimous decision. Round one was very good as was round two. Wigmore even had his own team of supporters present but could not hold off Petero.
At this point there was a 15 minute interval before fighting resumed.
John Andrew, Arorangi Club, 81.9kg, age 21, fights-2 versus Boye Pouao, Nikao Club, 75kg, age 21, fights-0
The feisty, courageous, Boye could not get near Andrew for much of the bout. Andrew who is the son of former noted Arorangi boxer John Andrew Snr, had a height and reach advantage over Boye which he used to good effect. In round two, Boye was treated by Dr Faireka for a bloodied nose and took a standing count twice in the third. Andrew won by unanimous decision.
Michael Edwards, Mongoose Club, 69.9kg, age 17, fights-7 versus Eli Daniel, Titikaveka Club, 69kg, age 21, fights 3
The bout between these south paws (lead with the right) got off to a slow start but heated up in round two when the contest became very even with a good exchange of punches. Round three was fast and furious. This fight was the best so far in terms of all out action. Daniel won the contest on points.
Eddy Daniel, Muri Club, 75kg, age 25, fights-20 versus Marcus Jack, Arorangi Club, 69kg, age 20, fights-9
This bout matched our top international boxer Daniel with our other younger international Rep Jack. In round one both boxers looked sharp. However there was a delay in round one as Jack had problems with his groin protector which had to be replaced. The Jury member was consulted and Jack had to fight with a protector. The action really came in the final round with Daniel trying to finish Jack off but Jack refused to go down. Daniel won by unanimous decision of the Judges. It was a good fight appreciated by the crowd. The ref was Paul Allsworth who almost fell over after being bumped by one of the boxers.
Bernard Okotai, Titikaveka Club, 130kg, age 23, fights-6 versus Osolai Hagai, Mongoose Club, 86kg, age 22, fights-8
This fight, the main one of the evening, saw the internationally experienced Hagai, a heavyweight, up against super heavyweight Okotai. There was a big weight mismatch but under international rules a heavyweight can fight a heavier opponent. There was a standing count on the more agile Hagai in round one but he quickly learnt to avoid Okotai ‘s heavy punches. In round two Okotai was warned by Ref Joe Haupini for pushing. In round three Okotai tired a little and also lost his mouth-guard. In the end Hagai took out the fight on points. In his corner was older brother, medal winning boxer, Vengi. This was a crowd pleasing fight and the yelling and shouting was very loud.

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