A CAUSE close to the heart has lured Hawke's Bay boxer Jason Rarere out of a 12-year retirement.
"Everyone knows Uncle Jim and Aunty Marie. I'm doing it for them as it is so hard for them to obtain funding for their Nga Tukemata O Kahungunu Vocational Trust which helps disabled adults rehabilitate. They've spent $100,000 of their own money over the years," Rarere said, referring to Jim and Marie Edwards who since 1994 have used a 40-seat waka in the Bay as part of their therapy.
Rarere, 47, will fight Shaun Rankin, 30, in the feature bout of the Kelt Capital Kings of Club Rugby Charity boxing event at Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena on March 5. The exhibition bout is scheduled for three three-minute rounds.
"When Pane [Haraki] pulled out I jumped at the opportunity because of the cause for Uncle and Aunty. I know Shaun wants to turn professional next year and I want to support his quest ... I want to use my experience to give him a gauge as to where he is at," Rarere said.
A former world kickboxing champion, Rarere switched to boxing towards the end of his fighting career so he could get more fights and make more money.
"I'm prepared to fight at the same pace Shaun does. I know it's been 12 years but I've been training for a month now. It's just like riding a bike, you never lose it," Rarere said.
"The toughest part for me will be adjusting to three rounds as I'm used to 12. Like Shaun, who I know nothing about, I want to leave the ring as the winner."
During his 37-bout kickboxing career, Rarere - a product of the Putanga Gym's glory days - won one world title and six national middleweight titles. During his 26-bout professional boxing career the father of three won five national middleweight titles, two Pan-Asian titles and was ranked in the top 10 on the WBA rankings.
When he retired from fighting Rarere quickly established a reputation as a more than handy trainer and he trained or co-trained world titleholders including Mark Hunt, Charles August, Chris Johnson, Todd Wilson and Te Maia Jones. Rarere has worked as a scaffolder in recent years and he said this has helped keep him in shape for boxing.
Rankin is thrilled Rarere has replaced Haraki.
"This is going to be a good challenge. I really want to turn pro and Jason's experience will give me a good guide," Rankin said.
He is keen to redeem himself in the wake of a disappointing draw with Angus Benson in the feature bout at this year's inaugural Kings of Club Rugby event.
"I was too focused on work in the buildup to that fight. This time round I will have more time to train as I've got Dan on board," he said referring to former Magpies rugby player Dan Waenga, who is his partner with the Beast House Training Facility in Napier.
"Dan is working hard on my speed, strength and power. I'm hoping to be fitter and faster than Jason and this will help compensate for what I lack in experience compared with Jason," Rankin said.
Since his fight with Benson, Rankin has had one other fight which was a TKO loss to Helensville's Titi Motusaga. It was a fight he took on at four days' notice when he had a broken rib.
"I took on the fight to help out the promotion. I'll be in a lot better shape when I take on Jason ... I'm training as if I am about to take on a 20-year-old because I never underestimate an opponent," Rankin added.
One of the organisers of the 12-bout March event, Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby halfback Chris Eaton, is rapt with the calibre of fighters from rugby clubs putting their hands up to step into the ring.
He pointed out that the Jarrod Cunningham Trust will again benefit from the funds raised, along with the Edwards.
Magpies midfield back Billy Ropiha will represent his Taradale club against Rocky Pohatu from his former Clive club in a fight which is expected to have plenty of spice. Fellow Magpies player and Taradale loosie Kaleb Sweet will take on Napier Technical lock Leslie Setu.
Multi-coder Rhiarna Ferris will represent the Havelock North club against Tamatea's Te Mahia Raureti in the only women's fight confirmed to date. Ferris ranks netball as her No1 sport but performed admirably at Sevens for Wairarapa Bush in last weekend's Central Region nationals qualifier.
If Ferris adapts to boxing as fast as she did to sevens, Raureti could be in for a tough night.
THE CARD
Rhiarna Ferris (Havelock North) vTe Mahia Raureti (Tamatea).
Dillon Clark (Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports) v Nathan Pulega (Napier Technical).
Kaleb Sweet (Taradale) v Leslie Setu (Napier Technical).
Billy Ropiha (Taradale) v Rocky Pohatu (Clive).
Jason Rarere v Shaun Rankin.
* Seven more bouts to be announced.
Tickets are available from TicketDirect.