BY PETER DE GRAAF
Extreme fisherman Matt Watson was inspired to take up boxing after being caught in a shark feeding frenzy in Tahiti.
The star of the ITM Fishing Show is one of the Northland identities taking part in a charity boxing event in which novice fighters will take some punches to raise money for cancer.
The 20 men and four women will be in the ring for Fighting Cancer on September 22 in Kerikeri's Turner Centre.
Watson, who is better known for fighting marlin than humans, has been matched with Whangarei builder Dale Hamlin in the night's second bout. The fishing guru said an experience in Tahiti's Shark Alley prompted him to take up boxing.
"I was in the water with a whole bunch of sharks, oceanic whalers and white-tips, when we kicked off a bit of a feeding frenzy... me and the cameraman were back-to-back fending them off," Watson said.
Later they were talking about whether they'd been truly frightened for their safety, and what would really scare them.
"I said, 'Getting in the ring, that would scare me'. I think it's good for everyone to be scared, to get out of their comfort zone."
Watson decided to take up boxing before he got home to Kerikeri. When he heard about the charity fight, he figured it was a chance to put what he'd learned into practice.
Training at Rusty Porter's Kaeo Boxing Club gym in Waipapa for the past 18 months, Watson was surprised by how much skill and thought boxing required, skills which hadn't come on as fast as he had hoped. "So I'll be relying on a bit of mongrel on the night," he grinned.
The event is being organised by the Bay of Islands/Far North branch of the Certified Builders Association. Proceeds will go to the Kerikeri-based Pink and Steel Pilates Trust, which provides rehabilitation for patients recovering from cancer surgery.
Coach Rusty Porter is providing the gear and has matched the fighters as closely as possible by weight and experience. Each fight will feature three two-minute rounds. Other well-known Northlanders taking part are Kerikeri St John boss Nick Scott, Kawakawa's top cop Nathan Davis and leaders in the Bay's building industry..
The fights are: 1 Paul Pilcher (Kaeo) v Craig Maxwell (Kerikeri), 2 Matt Watson (Kerikeri) v Dale Hamlin (Whangarei), 3 Barry Dawson (Kerikeri) v Bevin MacCarthy (Kerikeri), 4 Rachael MacCarthy (Mangamuka) v Leah-May Morrow (Kerikeri), 5 Kane McCulloch (Paihia) v TBC, 6 Barry Brocklebank (Kerikeri) v Dave Crabb (Mahinepua), 7 Nick Scott (Kerikeri) v Ben Maxwell (Kerikeri), 8 Shannon Price (Kaikohe) v Renata "Raz" Poa (Whangarei), 9 Pete Dobson (Kerikeri) v Gerald Komene (Kerikeri), 10 Nathan Davis (Kawakawa) v Tama Salive (Russell), 11 Matt Iorangi (Kerikeri) v Ben Howell (Russell), 12 Ringa Dalton (Kaikohe) v TBC.