BOXING: Youth leader walks talk in first bout

The hallmark of any individual is the capacity to learn from life's experiences.
In the case of Caine Tawhai, his experiences as a youth are an invaluable tool to his job today as a member of the Maraenui youth programme, Te Roopu a Iwi.
``When I was a youth [14 years old] Aikido [Japanese martial arts] kept me off the streets and kept me occupied,'' Tawhai told SportToday of his time with the Hawke's Bay Aikido Club in Flaxmere.
``Like some youth I got up to all sorts of mischief. Let's just say I hung out with the wrong crowd,'' said the 34-year-old from Flaxmere who had no hesitation in joining the Zero Tolerance gym in Napier after bumping into head trainer Dion Crouch.
Not only that, Tawhai also took a dozen other youths from his programme to train with Crouch.
``It's builds a strong body, strong mind and a healthy spirit,'' he said, after climbing into the ring on Saturday night in his first full-contact mixed martial arts bout at the Pettigrew-Green Arena, Taradale.
Tawhai lost his 3 x 3min rounds fight by ``submission'' late in the second round when he could not get out of a choke hold from East Coast opponent Kingi Williams in the Excessive Force Fight Promotion Night.
``I could have had a better outcome but never mind. It was an awesome experience and I'll definitely do it again. The better man won on the night.''
Tawhai, who has been a Zero Tolerance member for almost a year, said it made sense for him to enter the ring when Crouch suggested fighting would be a good gauge for all his training.
``The theme of my youth programme is'walk the talk','' he said, adding the fitness and determination required were essential for youth development.
``I had to change the way I eat, train and sleep. I had to be fully committed.
``It's not for the faint-hearted but it helped me manage my life heaps,'' said Tawhai who abstained from fast food and alcohol to keep fatigue at bay.
A social drinker, he has no intention of hurting people but simply competing.
``I believe in the main principles that my tipuna [ancestors] practised in preparation for wars,'' he explained, outlining the virtues of karakia (prayers) to his tumatauenga (war gods).
The art of stick fighting (mau rakau) is also part of his youth programme.