Third time lucky for Koroheke

PUNCHING POWER: RTF Wanganui fighter Aiden Koroheke will be the main event at the River City Rumble against Wellington's Ata Fakalelu in a modified Muay Thai fight on March 28.PHOTOS/STUART MUNRO 140315WCSMRUMBLE2

Wanganui's main event fighter for the River City Rumble on March 28 promises his bout will "definitely" live up the excitment of the predecessors.

RTF Wanganui's Aiden Koroheke will be meeting MTI Wellington's Ata Fakalelu in a three-round modified Muay Thai rules match on the top of a 14-fight card at the War Memorial Hall.

The last two rumbles have had classic main events.

In 2013, Wanganui Warriors' Leon Calver won the vacant Thai Boxing Association NZ super lightweight title in a bloodbath with Palmerston North's Tyrone Campbell, while last year Wanganui's multiple-time karate national champion Pete Parsons won a knock down drag-out kickboxing debut against Dannevirke's Moe Hussain.

Koroheke and Fakalelu are developing a rivalry in the 105kg division.

"He's beaten me twice before, so it's third time lucky. Bring him home," Koroheke said.

When they met at MTI's Triple Impact 3 show in October, Koroheke had a strong start until needing a breather for an inadvertent low kick.

Fakalelu was strong in the second round, pushing Koroheke into the corners with jabs and round kicks, while the third round was a real scrap that ended with both men wrestling to the floor.

"It will be a good one. They're both big punchers," said Rumble promotor Steve Alderton.

"Ata throws a big overhand right.

"Their last fight was real, real close. Maybe a different set of judges would have given it to Aiden."

Having been in the sport for the last three to four years, Koroheke has moved around most of the local clubs.

"I just like fighting, I guess. It's kept me out of trouble."

Another keenly anticipated matchup will be the battle of 16-year-olds Brayden Maua (87kg, Wanganui Warriors) and Earl-Jay Pehi (90kg, RTF Wanganui), before Maua leaves to train in Thailand.

In total, 12 Wanganui fighters will appear on the card, with half the fights being non-points novice events and the rest modified or full contact Muay Thai.