Knockout legends a soft touch for charity

Ofisa Tonu'u v John Bentley

As boxing weigh-ins go, the Fight for Life meet did not score well.

The boasting and posturing battles between boxers facing off before title fights were mostly absent among the collection of former rugby and league players who will punch out three rounds in the name of charity tonight.

"I'm not really looking forward to it," muttered All Black legend Eric Rush. "It's just great to get in the ring with Byron to get taught a lesson."

Rush, a veteran of the charity event, faces the unenviable task of nine minutes in the ring with Byron Hayward. The Welshman was capped twice for his country and 16 times for the Wales A team, including one game against the All Blacks.

Oh, and he combined his rugby career with a boxing one, scooping two titles in 1994 and 2002. His career record was 31 fights, 27 wins and four defeats.

"Exchanging a few punches is a small price to pay for helping fight against the meningitis disease," said Hayward, although Rush didn't look quite so convinced.

"I've got the greatest admiration and respect for Eric and we will have a few beers afterwards."

The fifth Fight for Life at the North Shore Events Centre is to raise money for the Meningitis Trust.

Because of the Lions tour the theme is New Zealand v Great Britain with visiting fighters flying in specially for the event.

And some of the arrivals at yesterday's weigh-in at Sky City did not waste the chance to goad their rivals.

Richard Webster, who toured New Zealand with the Lions in 1993, will don the gloves against Frank Bunce.

"It's a chance to knock a Kiwi about," he said. "I didn't get much of a chance in 1993."

Bunce, who will enter the ring for the third time tonight, was a little more reticent.

"I don't know why I keep coming back," he said.

A highlight of the showcase is likely to be the fight between sports broadcasters Howard Dobson from TV3 and RadioLive talkback host Miles Davis.

What the men may lack in sporting prowess, they should be able to make up for in banter.

"Last year I commentated so if that was talking the talk, this is walking the walk," said Dobson.

Davis, who at 46 is 10 years older than his counterpart, didn't seem quite so sure.

"I was told it was Dancing with the Stars."

The event includes an appearance by boxing great "Smokin" Joe Frazier.

Who's fighting who

* Eric Rush v Byron Hayward
Weight: 89kg v 82.5kg

* Frano Botica v Maurice Field
Weight: 86.3kg v 91.4kg

* Matua Parkinson v Mark Jones
Weight: 94.5kg v 118.8kg

* Frank Bunce v Richard Webster
Weight: 99kg v 110.4kg

* Howard Dobson v Miles Davis
Weight: 84.5kg v 94.4kg

* Steve Gurney v Danny Morrison
Weight: unavailable v 85kg

* Ofisa Tonu'u v John Bentley
Weight: 105.9kg v 97.9kg