Boxing: Expat back in ring for big payday

Chris Walker of TGA BOX Health & Fitness looked no match for heavyweight Kali Meehan when the pair posed for photos yesterday morning. Photo/George Novak

A New Zealand heavyweight boxer who fought under Don King's banner visited Tauranga yesterday to promote the richest single elimination boxing tournament ever held in this country.

Kali Meehan (43-5 31KO) toured TGA BOX Health & Fitness with Chris Walker while discussing Sky Arena's SUPER 8: Last Man Standing Heavyweight Boxing Tournament.

The format will see eight heavyweights compete in four quarter-finals, followed by semis and a final, all over three rounds and in quick succession on one night.

One man will be crowned champion, taking $200,000 of the $500,000 prize pool, with the runner-up to receive half that amount.

Extra money will also be on the table for the night's best knockout.

Meehan, hailing from Avondale, has not fought on home soil for about 15 years so is looking forward to impressing friends and family.

"I've done most of my fighting in the States and in Germany - I was fighting for Don King over there," Meehan said.

"It was the top level, so I was proud that I accomplished that, but this fight means a lot to me back home where it all began in Auckland.

Meehan, whose two sons played for NRL side the Roosters' under-20s team last season, was drawn out of virtual retirement by the carrot of a big payday and three fights on one night.

"It's always been hard for me to find fights. Opponents weigh it up - if you are a dangerous fighter without a big pay per view following, other fighters will avoid you because it's not worth the risk. I mean, why would they fight you?

"I was pretty much happy to retire, and focus on my son who is the Super Heavyweight amateur champion in Australia - he's got one more fight to go to the Commonwealth Games."

"It's good money - money doesn't look for you, you have to go look for the money. I'm excited to be part of it."

The two other fighters so far confirmed for the tournament - controversial Englishman Michael Sprott and hard-punching Irishman Martin Rogan - will bring plenty of pedigree to the event.

Rogan (16-4 8KO), a Commonwealth champion and winner of a similar 'Prizefighter' tournament in the UK in 2008, is a specialist over the shorter format, while former Commonwealth and British champion Sprott (40-21 27KO) will bring his own brand to bear on proceedings.

Sprott defeated Brian Minto before Minto beat Shane Cameron at last year's Fight For Life in West Auckland, and is a two-time 'Prizefighter' champion who has recently returned from suspension for pushing a referee to the canvas.

The media release promoting the event contains the normal, prideful boasts from the overseas fighters.

Sprott said he cannot wait to "sort out you Kiwis and Australians", while Irishman Rogan, a tad out of touch with the intricacies of New Zealand politics, said by the time he was finished "everybody will have the flag of Ireland on their front door and celebrate me as the new president".

The event will be held on June 4 at an Auckland venue that is yet to be confirmed.