Boxing: Adesanya claims Super 8 crown

Israel Adesanya (left) fights Brian Minto during Super 8 Fight Night at Horncastle Arena, Christchurch. Photo / Getty Images

Israel Adesanya needed an extra round but he emerged victorious at the Super 8 boxing tournament with a split-decision win over American Brian Minto.

Adesanya, a 25-year-old who boasts a 41-2 record as a kickboxer, moved to 3-1 as a boxer, while Minto fell to 41-9 in Christchurch tonight.

The final was one of the more entertaining fights on the bill and the bonus frame was needed after a the three-round final produced a split draw from the judges.

Adesanya's fitness helped him in the sudden-death stages as he edged the 40-year-old who has form with New Zealand fighters, having previously clashed with Shane Cameron and Joseph Parker.

Minto beat Australia's Daniel Ammann (31-9-1) in the semifinal having previously edged Monty Filimaea (10-12-1) in the quarters.

Adesanya topped Lance Bryant (4-2) in the other semi via majority decision. Adesanya knocked out Asher Derbyshire (7-2) in the second round of his quarter-final.

In the only 10-round bout on the card, Australian Anthony McCracken (18-7-1) defeated Kiwi-trained Samoan Vaitele Soi (24-2) via unanimous decision, 99-91, 99-91 and 98-92.

McCracken said he knocked back a world title opportunity recently because he felt he wasn't ready and with his victory he defended the WBA Pan African, WBO Asia Pacific and the OPBF cruiserweight titles.

"I'm an honest fighter," he said in the ring after the scores were announced. "I just love the biff."

Cricketer Jesse Ryder knocked out Cameron Slater in the first round of their charity bout after his superior power and conditioning came through.

Slater, a vocal right-wing blogger, lost 17kg in the lead-up to the fight but was no match for Ryder who had previously beat radio host Mark Watson via TKO in 2012.

"It's frightening. It's terrifying," Slater said. "But we did it for charity so I had to overcome those fears. I knew I was going to get banged around but it was for charity. I've raised, personally, over $5000 for KidsCan and I'm chuffed with that."

Earlier, former league hardman Monty Betham moved to 7-1 as a professional after he beat ex-English cricketer Adam Hollioake (2-2) via fourth-round TKO in a cruiserweight bout.

Hollioake pursued the fight with Betham via social media and found himself on the end of some hefty punishment from Betham.

The Englishman tasted the canvas in the fourth and the fight was stopped shortly after following another flurry of punches from Betham.

At 37, Betham said he would be happy to fight on if the right opponent presented itself, while he also took inspiration from a good luck text message from Black Caps opener Martin Guptill.

"That gave me a big lift because [here's] someone who's got the biggest game of his life coming up and he takes the time out to text me and make sure I'm going well, that's huge," Betham said.

In the opening bout of the night, Auckland heavyweight prospect Hemi Ahio (5-0) kept his unbeaten record intact after he defeated Clarence Tillman (11-20-2) via TKO.
Tillman, a 37-year-old journeyman, dislocated his shoulder during the opening frame - which Ahio comfortably won - and didn't come out for the second round.