Boxing: Going for points not KOs

Tauranga fighter Anthony Taylor's bout tonight on the undercard of former heavyweight contender David Tua's "Redemption" re-match against Monte Barrett will be his last as an amateur.

Taylor, who fought as a light welterweight at last year's Commonwealth Games in Delhi, losing in the second round to England's Bradley Saunders, will turn professional immediately after his fight tonight against No 1-ranked Kiwi light-welterweight Tamerami Puhi.

The two-time national amateur champion was to have fought Tongan amateur star Lomalito Moala, the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, before Moala pulled out.

"I still haven't heard why he withdrew but it'll be a good fight [against Puhi] and a good chance to show my stuff in front of a big crowd, especially with the pro ranks not far off," Taylor said.

Tauranga's Gunnar Jackson, one of New Zealand's busiest professional boxers in the last 14 months, will look to add to his seven wins from 10 fights with a super-middleweight clash with cocky Aucklander Isaac Peach.

Peach, a former amateur middleweight champion, beat Jackson the last time the pair squared off as amateurs.

"He couldn't beat me in the amateurs, he won't beat me now," Peach said this week.

Jackson has had seven wins and two draws against highly credentialled opponents, with a draw the last time he fought on the Tua undercard in March against Samoan Afakasi Faumuina.

Taylor's is one of three amateur bouts at Manukau's TelstraClear Events Centre and his first since his Delhi exit almost a year ago.

"Hopefully, going pro will open up a few more opportunities because I'd like to be busier."

Tua was held to a controversial draw in Atlantic City in 2010 when he first fought Barrett.

Tua will take on over 12 three-minute rounds and will place greater emphasis on scoring points.

Both say there is unfinished business to take care of.

Tua earned his reputation at first for his ability to land knockout blows but said he couldn't rely on that against Barrett.

"There has to be more than the knockout punch, so I think, with that in mind, it's important not to overlook the science of boxing, and that is scoring points."