Laws already talking about a rematch

Floating like a butterfly but maybe not quite delivering a punch loaded with bee venom, talkback host Michael Laws says a rematch against Ken Mair is on the cards.

The pair battled to a draw in the key match-up of Saturday night's River King Charity boxing event which featured Whanganui Police up against Corrections Department staff on the undercard.

Organiser Bob Gibson told the Chronicle the event would be held annually as a charity fundraiser.

"I've done these events around the country and I can say I've never seen a crowd as excited as the one we had on Saturday night," Mr Gibson said.

"It was five solid hours of pure entertainment."

Yesterday Mr Laws, was back at the gym and showing no scars or bruises from his rumble with Maori activist Mr Mair.

He said the most difficult part was fighting at 10.45 at night but apart from that he said he pulled up very well.

"There'll definitely be a rematch. The biggest thing that came out of the whole night was the national interest it created. This is publicity for the city that costs us nothing," he said.

"I'm up for the rematch and this time I'm going to take it seriously, and I've spoken to Ken about it."

Mr Laws said he fully expected to wake up on Sunday morning in a "bed that was not my own, and I don't mean that in a horizontal sense".

"Maybe next time I can acquit myself with some honour. I've read what Ken had to say about the fight and I'm saying right sport, you're on," Mr Laws said.

Mr Mair said his supporters reckon he won the fight based on the second and third rounds.

Mr Laws acknowledged his back was "a bit sore" but put that down to Mr Mair's "low blow" after he (Mr Laws) had slipped on the canvas.

He said he "owed" Mr Mair for a number of reasons. The first was that hit when he had slipped, and the second for wearing the wrong headgear.

"His head gear gave him a massive advantage because it [was] almost full face. Mine had an open face. When I hit his head I was conscious I was hitting his headgear.

"The thing is Ken has reached his potential but I can improve."

One judge scored the bout 29-28 to Mr Mair, the second 30-28 to Mr Laws with the third scoring it 29-all.

Mr Laws said the event could involve more celebrities and women in future.

"We got more coverage than the rugby versus rugby league celebrity fights in Auckland so let's exploit that.

"But it needs to be like versus like. Say Rob Vinsen versus Clive Solomon. Now that's a bout I'd pay to see. Or what about the editor of the Wanganui Chronicle versus just about everybody?"

Mr Laws said the fight did change his perception.

"I came to respect and admire Ken Mair through this process. I think we came to like each other.

"Perhaps we need more boxing matches like this to resolve the issues."