WHOMEVER else they get, both leading light heavyweight fighters Reece Papuni and Wanganui expat Robert Berridge expect to decide the Super 8 crown between them at Auckland's SkyCity next month.
NZPBA champion Berridge (26-3-1) and NZPBF beltholder Papunui (10-1) will headline their one night, four-man tournament.
Fiji's Joseph Kwadjo (21-10)was initially named as the third participant, but, instead, promotion company VS Live group stated this week that the other two spots would be taken by "international wildcards", who will be named on Tuesday.
Whether they get matched up together in the opening three-round fight, or will instead have to win their qualifier to meet each other in the final, Papuni and Berridge expect they will tangle for the recognition of being the country's best at 81kg.
"You have only a short time in boxing, and you have to take opportunities when they are there, and that means taking risks against quality fighters," said Papuni this week.
"I don't believe Berridge is above me in skill or power and it's a fight the public want to see.
"I hope we meet in the final and make it a spectacle."
For heavy-handed southpaw Berridge it will be an adjustment from fighting 10 to 12-round bouts, where he can typically bludgeon his opponent once he has gotten warmed up and found his range.
"I've always been keen to give the tournament format a go and my goal over the next seven weeks is to get fit as hell and become even more explosive," he said.
"You've got to get in early and inflict damage from the opening bell.
"It's going to be a tough challenge against a field of big punchers, but I fancy my chances and if it's Papuni in the final, all the better."
The light heavyweight tournament shares billing with a four-man cruiserweight event, a NZNBF heavyweight title fight between Hemi Ahio and Alapati A'asa and cruiserweight title bout with Monty Betham jnr and James Langton.
Celebrity fights will feature as NRL star Paul Gallen faces Bodene Thompson, while actress Bree Peters will meet reality TV's Lisa O'Loughlin in a charity bout for KidsCan and the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation.
