Friday night fighting returned to downtown Kaitaia as the Howling Wolves' March Madness boxing and kickboxing tournament took place at 103 Gym Central last week.
Having promoted the event through word of mouth, organisers eventually attracted a crowd well in excess of 100 which enjoyed a card of 15 bouts in the Kaitaia gym, many from the upstairs floor which provided a natural amphitheatre for viewing the action taking place below at ground/ street level.
Event spokesperson Manuera Riwai noted this was the fourth event he and wife Karen had organised for the local community in the past three years, with proceeds used "to help provide equipment and sport opportunities for our youth". While the fights took place inside a cage, Riwai was quick to dispel any suggestion this was a mixed martial arts event.
"Just hiring a proper ring was too expensive," he said of the set-up, before adding "It was a good night."
The fighters were mostly local, mostly novices and made up of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, Riwai said, adding that the original concept - which didn't quite come off in the end - being to promote local match-ups such as league vs union.
"[But] the union players weren't interested and I approached quite a few," said Riwai, while noting that half a dozen from the Muriwhenua Kuaka league outfit were more than happy to get into the 'ring'; and cricket vs soccer, "When the cricket guys heard that, they really wanted to fight the soccer players!"
Other encounters promoted on the evening's card were Allen Bell Drive vs Bonnetts Road, Te Rangi Aniwaniwa vs Kaitaia College, Mill vs Other Side, and Town vs Country.
Among the fighters preparing to make their debut in the ring were two brothers, Manihera Grace, 20, and younger brother Jossy, 18. Of his reaction beforehand, Manihera admitted he wasn't feeling nervous but was rather, quite simply, "Excited!"
Results from the night saw LJ Tatana beat Steven Railey in the night's opening boxing match; then Jordan Lloyd of Mangonui beating Larson Young from Hastings in the second bout of their kickboxing clash, with the latter forced to retire early in the second round with a dislocated shoulder (one of two on the night).
Elsewhere, Hona Witanga beat Shannon Wikotu in a bruising boxing belt; Celeste Allen (Kaitaia College) overcame Austen Paparoa (Te Rangi Aniwaniwa) in a clash between two students representing opposing kura; Rex Halkyard using some great jabs to beat the valiant Manihera Grace in an intriguing match-up between two novice boxers; while Ihaka Korewha beat Matthew Latimer in kickboxing match. Wire Reddington beat Jossy Paparoa in a fight Riwai described as "quite intense"; and Peter Paparoa used some good combination work to defeat Huddie Rollo.
PJ Hepi had to retire with a dislocated shoulder, handing the win to Quintin Moeke who was pretty much dominating proceedings at the time; Tuwai Paparoa Fallon beat Neville Bennett in a kickboxing match; John Payne beat Kaitaia College classmate Zion Kairua in a boxing clash; while Ricardo Hoet beat Willy Paparoa, and Brent Tecklenberg won over Robert Wikotoi.
The Riwais thanked judges and the various other Far North gyms who supported the event from Kaitaia to Paihia, as well as the St John Ambulance crew in attendance.
Event proceeds were going towards the purchase of a good-quality set of mobile outdoor basketball hoops which will allow the gym to run some pick-up 3v3 games of streetball in the nearby carpark of the abandoned Pak'nSave. The next fight night at 103 Gym Central will be likely be held in September.