Shane "the Mountain Warrior" Cameron celebrates after knocking out US boxer Monte Barrett in Auckland in 2012 - a victory he regards as the high point in his professional career. Photo / NZ Herald
Shane "the Mountain Warrior" Cameron celebrates after knocking out US boxer Monte Barrett in Auckland in 2012 - a victory he regards as the high point in his professional career. Photo / NZ Herald
Former professional boxer Shane “the Mountain Warrior” Cameron will return to his roots as keynote speaker at the East Coast Farming Expo Property Brokers Evening Muster next month.
The boxer, who calls Tiniroto home and has sparred and fought against some of the biggest names in the business, is happiestin his gumboots and oilskin coat.
He lives in Auckland these days, but his heart remains with the East Coast.
A former Commonwealth cruiserweight champion, Cameron also held heavyweight titles, including Asia Pacific and Pan Pacific belts.
He won a bronze medal for New Zealand at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and turned professional shortly after, forging a record of 29 wins in 34 fights.
He retired from the competitive canvas a decade ago but is still very much involved in the sport. He has a gym (Shane Cameron Fitness) and a boxing equipment label, and spends a lot of time public speaking in the community and corporate world.
“I have done a lot of speaking over the last three years, and I do enjoy it,” Cameron said.
Shane Cameron has a strong affinity with the rural community and is looking forward to speaking at the East Coast Farming Expo in Wairoa next month. Photo / Supplied
“When you are an athlete you just turn up and talk about the moment, but now things are far more tailored and mastered.”
He covers everything from resilience to determination, mindset to overcoming challenges, with plenty of fascinating tales in between.
“It is important to know where you want to go and have some goals.”
Sport has taught him resilience in spades.
“You get knocked to the canvas, but it is about getting back up – that builds character. That same ethos can be related to the business world and farming.
“They are different to the canvas, but you still have to take hits and deal with the tough times. You have to recreate, change direction and adapt.”
Cameron recently spoke alongside Dame Valerie Adams at a Rural Support event, with sports writer and broadcaster Phil Gifford as MC.
“I love it when I get invited to speak to the rural community,” he said.
“One danger for farmers is that they just don’t get off the farm enough.”
That is where events like the expo are so valuable.
A proud dad of three, Cameron has plenty of entertaining stories.
“It is a bit surreal when you think back to my experience with Mike Tyson. It was an awesome part of my life.”
His pro years included the Fight of the Century in 2009 against Samoan-New Zealander David Tua that didn’t go his way (a second-round knockout) and saw him hit the lowest point of his life.
“How low can you go? You have to come back. You have to find a way.”
He regards the high point of his career as his fourth-round knockout victory over American Monte Barrett in 2012.
“That was my greatest achievement really because I was slaughtered by David, then Monte went on to beat him.”
Cameron said he thought he was the “dumbest kid at school” but had gone on to achieve good things.
He recently finished a book with sports journalist Steve Kilgallon, which is set for release next year, and has a few other exciting projects underway.
“No one is defined by their education,” he said. “The world really is your oyster.”
Tickets to the muster - which runs from 6pm-9pm on Wednesday, February 18, at the Wairoa showgrounds - are $25 and can be bought through the Expo website.
