Boxing: Masoe in the ring at last

New Zealand boxer Maselino Masoe will finally get to defend the World Boxing Association middleweight crown he won nearly two years ago now that a fight against German challenger Felix Sturm has been set for March 11.

The bout, to take place in Hamburg, was previously scheduled for November 26 but Sturm, 26, had to withdraw with an elbow injury.

The 39-year-old Masoe, older brother of All Blacks flanker Chris, won the vacant title over highly rated Kenyan Evans Ashira on May 1, 2004, but has not fought since.

Masoe's record stands at 26 wins, two losses and 25 knockouts. He has been working out in Australia with trainer Noel Thornberry.

Commonwealth Professional Boxing Association president Carrick Belton, a former president of the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association, said Masoe was more than a chance to defend his title.

"Not a bit of a chance, I would say he would be the favourite," Belton said.

"This is a very big fight and Masoe is absolutely greatly underrated. He's an extremely skilful boxer and a big banger."

Belton said the layoff that kept Masoe out of the ring for so long would not have done him any favours.

Sturm's record is 24 wins and one loss with 11 knockouts and he has nearly 10cm in height over Masoe.

Belton said the WBA title and the WBC (World Boxing Council) version were the most reputable of the many organisations in professional boxing.

"It is bona fide. Masoe won it in the ring. The tiny bit of history to it is when Bernard Hopkins, who was the stand-out, vacated the WBA and Masoe got called in to fight for the vacant title against one of [boxing promoter] Don King's boys.

"I'm sure they would have thought Masoe was sort of like a fill-in and Masoe knocked the guy down in the first round, then knocked him out at the start of the second round so here we now have a world champ."

Belton said WBC middleweight champion Jermain Taylor, who defeated his fellow American Hopkins for the title, might have his nose in front of Masoe if the two fought.

"But again, it would be a good fight."

- NZPA