Boxing: Hawke's Bay pugilists put training to test in Friday fight night

Andrew-Dean Kupa-Caudwell (left) catches Ryan Perry, of Porirua, on the hop. PHOTO/Alison Gonscak

The best came in the last bout of amateur boxing as Saili Fiso entertained fans in Hastings.

"It was great to watch and really showed the grit required to be an amateur boxer," said Craig McDougall, of the Giants Boxing promotion that drew a crowd of 220 to watch seven Hawke's Bay pugilists step into the ring at the club's second "Friday Night of Boxing" this year.

Jordan McConnaghie, of Porirua, had a tough start as host club member Fiso put the pressure on him early, landing firm shots to the southpaw's body which saw him yield an eight count at the end of round one.

However, McConnaghie came out with a new strategy in round two, trying to keep a stronger Fiso at a distance although it wasn't enough to bridge the gap on Fiso who still won the round.

The pair went toe to toe in round three, showing signs of fatigue but still landing clean shots. However, Fiso landed more with better quality and won well in the end.

Hastings Giants had two other experienced boxers registering wins.

Sam Nicol, of Napier, impressed once again with excellent basics against a heavier opponent.

Nicol's fitness was superior and it was a win he was chasing having previously lost to Denzel Parker, a highly rated boxer from Naenae's Boxing Academy.

Andrew-Dean Kupa-Caudwell also did enough to get through Ryan Perry from Porirua.

"It was not a pretty bout with lots of clinching separated by some clean punches," head coach McDougall said. "It is hard to come back to be at your best without ring time and Kupa-Caudwell took advantage of this."

Flaxmere Junior Niwha Jones, Napier's Isaiah Chadderton, Osana Leutele and heavyweight Tuhaere Neo all turned in solid performances against good boxers from Cannons Creek Boxing Academy (Porirua) and Feilding Boxing Club.

Although they lost, bar Leutele who boxed in an exhibition match, they have taken away good lessons and found out where they are at with the busy part of the season about to begin.

"To see new juniors in the ring at a local show is great for the sport. It bodes well for the region to see clubs, teams and officials developing," said McDougall.

He heaped praise on the volunteer coaches from Wellington, Upper Hutt, Porirua, Feilding and Palmerston North who travelled with their teams. "It is a vast commitment to train and prepare boxers for this exciting but exceptionally tough sport."