Tem dodges his comfort zone

Rotorua's Temuera Morrison says he is ready to take on his opponent Auckland businessman Boris Sokratov.

He may have played Jake the Muss in Once Were Warriors but Temuera Morrison will be really out of his comfort zone when he steps into the boxing ring on Thursday.

The Hollywood actor has met his new opponent for his fight on the undercard of the Hydr8 Zero, Joseph Parker and Afa Tatupu New Zealand heavyweight title fight being held at the Trust Arena in Auckland. Morrison will face off in a three-round battle against Auckland businessman Boris "The Bulgarian Maori" Sokratov.

The Rotorua-born actor was meant to meet radio DJ Mike Puru but the announcer had to withdraw after fracturing an eye socket in sparring.

Both Morrison and Sokratov are of similar experience, build and age and former Warrior captain and boxer Monty Betham is expecting it to be a close contest.

"I think [it will be] a very good match, especially in the [short] time frame. Boris has had a bit of experience in boxing and so has Tem.

"I've had a bit of a spar with Tem and he's got some nice little moves and I think he's being smart how he's playing this bout but I expect to see a good contest against two men who are evenly matched in terms of age."

Morrison told the Rotorua Daily Post yesterday he was definitely out of his comfort zone stepping into the ring.

"[Boxing promoter] Dean [Lonergan] kind of approached me and said 'look we've got this guy Mike Puru a radio DJ. He's interested in fighting you'. And I just went 'yeah' sounds alright, I'm sure I can beat a DJ. But apparently he's been injured so they've got this guy called Boris the Bulgarian," Morrison said.

"So we're going to have a little dance around just to fill in the gap. So thank goodness he has popped up at the last minute."

Sokratov said he was looking forward to the challenge.

"I know Tem and I are similar age and similar height and probably had similar experience [in the ring] and I like to do something out of my comfort zone and I'm certainly out of my comfort zone."

The pair are one of two celebrity bouts on the undercard, the other is between actress Miriama Smith and radio host K'Lee McNabb.

Betham who has being training McNabb said both women were in fantastic shape for the fight.

"Those two are going to be amazing.

"I think it's going to be as good, if not better than the Hayley [Holt] and Paige Hareb. They are both firing."

The boxing coach was also predicting the main event will be lucky to go the 10 rounds.

"I think both guys want to win and win convincingly but Afa Tatupu, I think his only chance is to land one of his notorious big shots that he possesses and I think also, Joseph wants to finish in style.

"The way he normally does."

The event will be televised live on Sky Arena on Thursday.