Boxing: Meehan doesn't see value in Tua fight

Shane Cameron of New Zealand fights Kali Meehan of New Zealand during the Heavyweight Title bout between Shane Cameron and Kali Meehan. Photo / Hannah Peters.

Kali Meehan will box on but he doesn't seem likely to meet David Tua.

Meehan, who sent Shane Cameron in to retirement with a unanimous decision victory at the North Shore Events Centre last night, is enjoying one last run in the ring in his mid-40s.

Tua was quoted in media reports yesterday as saying he was keen on a return to boxing at the age of 42 and he indicated he could fight next year, pending the ability to lose some weight and get in shape.

The 42-5 Meehan, who was born and raised in New Zealand but moved to Australia at 28, always wanted the chance to test himself against Tua, widely seen as the best heavyweight boxer to come from these shores.

But given Tua hasn't been seen in the ring since he was comfortably beaten by Belarusian Alexander Ustinov a year ago, Meehan questioned the value in a meeting between the pair in the future.

"If I was to beat David Tua now, what have I done?," Meehan said. "If I had've fought him in his prime, maybe I would have got knocked out but I would have had a go. But I think if I fight him now, there's no glory in that for me."

At 44, Meehan doesn't have a lot of time left in the fight game but he said he would like the chance to meet big-talking American Shannon Briggs if he could.

Meehan's win over Cameron, which netted him the WBA Pan African title, was the main event alongside last night's cruiserweight Super 8 last-man-standing tournament that was won by Australian Brad Pitt.

Cameron, who said before the bout with Meehan that if he didn't have his hand raised he would call it quits, followed through on his promise and ended his career with a 29-5 record as a professional.

"That's it for me I'm a man of my word," he said in the ring after the judges' scores were read. "I'd just like to thank New Zealand for their support throughout my whole career."

In the co-main event of the night, Kiwi cruiserweight David Aloua was beaten via seventh-round TKO by rejuvenated Australian Anthony McCracken.

The pair had met in 2012 where Aloua took a split decision win but McCracken (17-7-1) turned the tables this time around with an impressive performance. It was only the second loss of Aloua's career as he slipped to 11-2 and lost his collection of regional belts.

Meehan's son Willis, who is contracted to NRL club the Sydney Roosters, made a promising professional debut as he beat Kiwi Will Quarrie in the opening fight of the night.