Rotorua is currently being entertained by the stars of the future as the region hosts the 2016 New Zealand Boxing Championships.
With 140 of the best amateur fighters from each boxing association throughout the country converging on the Rotorua Energy Events Centre for the four-day competition, which started yesterday.
Today sees one of the top youth bouts featuring Murupara youngster Te Arahanga Takahi - known by his family and friends as Boi Boi.
The talented 18-year-old, has flown over from the Gold Coast, Australia, where he relocated with his family two years ago, and has received pre-tournament training from his former coach Aaron Warren of Rotovegas Boxing Gym.
Boi Boi will compete against Rik Naran from Canterbury Boxing Association in the semi finals of the youth light welterweight, in round six of today's category fighting and is confident of a positive result with the aim of making the finals on Saturday.
"It's great to be back in the region, because this will always be home to me."
Te Arahanga Takahi (also known as Boi Boi) has a good shot in the New Zealand National Boxing Championships happening in Rotorua this week. PHOTO/ Andrew Warner.
Boi Boi comes into the fight in impressive form with the recent 2015 Queensland title to his name as well as previously winning a New Zealand youth title in 2012 and the North Island golden gloves title in the cadet open division the same year.
The boxer, currently at a weight of 61kg, trains two hours a day, six times a week, and Warren said the youngster had put in the dedication to do well.
"That's what makes him a good fighter, he's determined," he said.
"Obviously we can't predict how he will do but he has done all he can mentally and physically for this challenge."
Boi Boi, a former Rangitahi College student, first started boxing at the age of 11, after turning up for Warren's Ultimate Performance boxing programme which the coach ran in 10 schools in the district with over 400 students involved.
"He stood out straight away," said Warren
"Boi Boi had the right mentality. He wasn't actually picked by the school but he just turned up anyway. That's the kind of thing I like to see."
The determined boxer was inspired to take up the sport after being inspired by his Grandfather Rangi Anderson who was a martial arts expert with a black belt in karate.
"My Grandfather encouraged me to have a go at hitting a bag in the back yard," he said.
"And I wanted to follow in his footsteps and do something positive with my life."
The New Zealand Boxing Championships is where many of nations boxing stars are born such as Parker, David Tua, Shane Cameron and Daniella Smith.
And for the future Boi Boi hopes to one day join this list of elite boxers and said he is aiming to compete at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
"I want to win another national title but I have bigger dreams that I also want to make a reality," he said.
"I want to represent my country at the Commonwealth and be the first from my home town to compete there."
Te Arahanga Takahi (Boi Boi) will compete against Rik Naran today in round six, with the rounds starting from 1pm today at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre.
Divisions at the Boxing New Zealand National Championships include cadets (12-14), juniors (15-17), youth (17-19) and elite, with different weight classes in each division, with finals taking place on Saturday.
