Boxing: McCracken intends to knock hype out of Soi

Vaitele Soi. File photo / NZME.

Australian Anthony McCracken put the brakes on the hype around Kiwi cruiserweight boxer David Aloua in November and wants to do the same to Samoa's Vaitele Soi.

At November's Super 8 fight night on the North Shore, McCracken upset Aloua (11-2) via seventh-round TKO to take his regional titles and top-15 rankings in the WBA and WBO.

McCracken (17-7-1) will put those belts on the line at the next Super 8 event in Christchurch next month when he meets another Sky Arena-promoted fighter in Soi.

While McCracken fought in the co-main event of the November fight night, Soi (24-1) put on a strong showing in the eight-man cruiserweight knockout tournament and was edged in the final by Australian Brad Pitt as he suffered the first loss of his career.

McCracken, 31, who went 12 rounds with Kiwi Shane Cameron in a cruiserweight bout in 2010 but lost via unanimous decision, was confident of dealing Soi another defeat on March 28 after he had seen footage of him sparring with Cameron.

"I've seen the YouTube clips of Cameron sparring Vaitele, he got dropped with 18oz gloves on," McCracken said.

"I went 12 rounds with Shane and he couldn't hurt me, so really what does Soi think he's going to be able to do - I'll break him down just like I did to Aloua."

Soi, 27, who is based in Samoa but does his training camps in Auckland under veteran trainer Lolo Heimuli, vowed revenge on Aloua's behalf.

"I am looking forward to claiming back the titles for New Zealand and Samoa, and to overcoming the man who beat my friend," Soi said.

Former world champion Danny Green, who has sparred numerous times with McCracken and commentated at November's Super 8 event, predicted a tough fight.

"Vaitele Soi's got more skill ... he's got a great chin, he's got a couple of detonators in each hand, so it's going to be an incredible fight," Green said.

Next month's Super 8 fight card includes another eight-man cruiserweight knockout event, with Israel Adesanya, Lance Bryant, Monty Filimaea and Australian Daniel Ammann confirmed.

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