Boxing: Learn to spar with rising star

BACK HOME: Robert Berridge (right) will be training in Wanganui and run local seminars.PHOTO/SUPPLIED 24042014WCSUPBERRIDGE

Local expat and New Zealand's No1 ranked boxer Robert Berridge will spend part of the training camp for his May 22 grudge match with Adrian Taihia based in Wanganui, while also offering a helping hand to the next generation of local fighters.

The 29-year-old Berridge will be based at the Fight Fit gym, owned by his cousin Paul Berridge and, as on previous visits home, is running two seminars for local fighters on May 4-5.

The May 4 session will be at 3pm and the following day's workshop will be at 6.30pm, the latter geared towards the general public who would like to use boxing to improve health and fitness.

Paul Berridge said the sessions continue to prove popular.

"We're very privileged to get the quality he has on our doorstep," he said.

With an imposing 23-1-1 record with 19 knockouts, Robert "the Butcher" Berridge's Wanganui training is gearing towards his long-awaited fight with 31-year-old Taihia (11-2-1) in the main event of the "Triple Thriller" show at the Logan Campbell Centre in Auckland.

The two men traded barbs publicly throughout 2013 and were set to fight at least twice before contract negotiation breakdowns and injury delayed their confrontation.

On October last year, they were involved in a tense situation when Taihia climbed into the ring after Berridge had knocked out Argentinian Mariano Jose Riva at Auckland's Trusts Arena.

However, Paul Berridge said recently, Taihia came across as more respectful towards his opponent.

"That was a totally different Adrian compared to when he jumped in the ring with him, yelling obscenities."

The show has been named Triple Thriller as three members of the Tuigamala family will be fighting. At 44, former All Black and Manu Samoa test player Va'aiga Tuigamala will compete, as will his sons Vaise (Bubba) and Jordan Tuigamala.