Boxing: Emerson finally gets his chance

Tauranga cruiserweight James Emerson sees his late inclusion in the Super 8 knockout tournament as a chance to further promote his name in the Australian market. Photo / George Novak

Like the old saying goes - if you don't ask you don't get.

That expression rings true for Tauranga 30-year-old James Emerson, whose disappointment for being left out of the original Super 8 knockout tournament draw has been washed away by a late call-up to join the undercard for the WBA Oceania heavyweight title clash between veterans Shane Cameron (29-4) and Kali Meehan (41-5).

The BOP Gear Cutters employee is set to replace Anthony McCracken in the short, sharp cruiserweight format - giving him the opportunity to back up his fighting words following the promoter's decision to originally select kickboxer Israel Adesanya for the New Zealand Wildcard berth.

"It's funny how things work out, but I think justice has been done, the boxing community has rallied behind me," Emerson said. "In a way, I hope I draw Adesanya in the quarters and make a big statement to the Super 8 promoters on behalf of the boxing community. There is a good chance I could get him the way it has been spoken about on the radio, but I'm not ruling out anyone.

"I'll just take them all the same - they're all just a name and a body in front of me."

His possible first round opponent was not so sure Emerson should be celebrating.

"It's a case of be careful what you wish for, but I'm genuinely happy for him," Adesanya said. "It's good for New Zealand boxing and James can stop crying about it and get on with the business of training."

Emerson is not a fan of film study and trains one-on-one with his brother-in-law in a simple garage containing punching bags, pads, a speed ball and a chin-up bar. "I always try to keep myself active. Ideally it would have been good to know I was in eight weeks ago but it is what it is. I feel really privileged to be on the card, it's a great benchmark for myself and not many people get these opportunities.

"I'm definitely a major underdog in this tournament ... but anyone has a chance if they've got the heart."

The inclusion of Emerson and Ghanaian Joseph Kwadjo gives the tournament a real international flavour, with New Zealanders Adesanya, Lance Bryant (3-0) and Monty Filimaea (9-10-1), Samoa's Vaitele Soi (22-0) and Australians Brad Pitt (15-1) and Daniel Ammann (29-7-1) completing the card.

Fighters will meet over three three-minute rounds.