Boxing: Former Stag knocks out Brown Buttabean

Dave Letele (right) was upset by a former Stags player. Photo / Getty Images

Former Southland Stags loose forward Kaleni Taetuli has scored a big upset on the undercard of the Joseph Parker v Bowie Tupou fight by knocking out Dave 'Brown Buttabean' Letele in Invercargill tonight.

Taetuli, the only Southlander to take up the challenge of taking on the previously unbeaten Letele, got the 4000-strong Stadium Southland cowd on their feet with his first punch - a brutal left hook - from which Letele never recovered.

The first-round knockout came in 22 seconds - Taetuli launching an incredibly accurate barrage at Letele. Referee Lance Revell stopped the fight, with Letele leaning against him and then collapsing.

The knockout - in Taetuli's first fight - earned him a $15,000 bonus. Straight afterwards he accepted an offer of a re-match in Auckland on October 15, where another knockout victory will earn Taetuli a further $20,000.

Taetuli said Letele's actions in marching up to Taetuli in the ring before the opening bell "flicked a switch".

"I knew he was going to come out with the jab first up - so I was always going to give him an overhand left to see if he could handle it," Taetuli said.

"My plan was to stick and move a bit and tire him out because I knew he was going to come straight at me as I'm a bit fitter. But as soon as I saw the opportunity I took it."

Asked about his winnings for 22 seconds' work, he said: "I haven't really thought about the money to be honest."