Title time for martial artists

MUAY THAI: Rotorua kick boxers Kelly Kinita (left) and Joel Marsters will contest national titles at Ngongotaha's Kalah Bar tonight. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER 291113SP2

Dynamic Rotorua duo promise to hold nothing back as they compete for national kick-boxing honours

Kickboxing is not for the faint hearted - but two Rotorua fighters will relish a chance to contest national Muay Thai titles at a tournament in Ngongotaha tonight.

Te Puia carver Joel Marsters, and Rotorua Boys' High School teacher Kelly Kinita will put aside their respectable day jobs and step into the ring for five brutal rounds at the Kalah Bar.

Marsters, 23, will contest the New Zealand men's super heavyweight title against Ricky Barclay, of Christchurch, in the main fight of the night, while Kinita will go up against Ann Davis, for the New Zealand middleweight women's title.

Marsters, a former South Pacific heavyweight champion, lost to Barclay in January - his first fight after a long lay off - and is seeking revenge.

"I'm a bit more prepared for what he has got to offer this time around," said Marsters, who will weigh in at 98 kilograms, almost 22kg less than his opponent.

"He's a big guy but I hope to use my agility to put him off and make him run.

"I'll be looking for the chance where he can be trapped into making a mistake."

Marsters has rejoined trainer Wayne Wairoa and believed the revised fighter/trainer combination would pay dividends.

"It will be good fight and the spectators will get their money's worth.

"Rotorua kickboxers have a good reputation against the big city fighters and I intend to put on something for the crowd to enjoy."

Kinita, a newcomer to the sport who will weigh in at 75kg, was eager to lead her title bout against Davis from the outset.

"My strategy is not to hold back as I have done in past fights I have had.

"I've been too slow to start and have been beaten on split decisions - I won't be holding back."

Promoter/trainer Wairoa said the event, which also features 12 undercard bouts, had been sold out with 300 tickets snapped up.

"The bouts are a promotion for Rotorua kick boxers and a good opportunity for our fighters to test their skills," he said.

"I try to avoid mismatches.

"There won't be any easy fights, the local fighters will have to work hard.

"At the end of the day we're doing it for the Ngongotaha community."

Also on the undercard is Lillian Sharland fighting in the 78kg division.

Doors open 5.30pm, first bout 6.30pm.