HYDR8 ZERO Explosion - Joseph Parker V Francois Botha

HYDR8 ZERO Explosion - Joseph Parker V Francois Botha

DATE: Thursday June 13, 2013

VENUE: The Trusts Arena, Auckland

BROADCAST: SKY ARENA, Pay-Per-View

MOMENTUM is everything in sports and it’s no different in boxing.

And that’s why Francois Botha just might have the edge on June 13 when he takes on Joseph Parker at the Hydr8 ZERO Explosion boxing extravaganza.

Before he gloves up with the young Kiwi boxing phenom, Botha will watch on as his son Marcel Botha takes on Australia’s Jeremy Sebastian in the first undercard match at The Trusts Arena in Auckland.

“I can’t wait to watch the boy box in New Zealand,” Francois said.

“It’s his first professional fight – I can’t imagine how much of a boost it will give me when he wins.

“I’ll be on Cloud Nine. Nothing will be able to stop me – certainly not Joseph Parker.”

The Hydr8 ZERO Explosion’s undercard is one of the best assembled in New Zealand with world titles, local bragging rights and even a radio celebrity war to be settled on the night.

And adding to the intrigue is that included on the undercard comes news that Marcel Botha is not the only “son of” who will be debuting in the pro ranks on June 13.

Inga Tuigamala’s son Jordon Tuigamala – with 15 amateur wins already locked away – will step into the national consciousness for the first time.

“He’s all about creating his own destiny,” said his proud dad who donned the All Blacks jersey in 19 tests before embarking on a storied league career with Wigan and Samoa.

“It’s funny. People think he is going against the norm in the Tuigamala clan but the truth is only me and one of his uncles played rugby. The rest of them all boxed so it’s boxing and not rugby that is in his blood.”

Other ‘connections’ at the Hydr8 ZERO Explosion include Sam Rapira - whose namesake cousin stars in the NRL with the Warriors.

Marcel Botha’s opponent Jeremy Sebastian is the younger brother of Australian pop, R&B and soul singer-songwriter Guy Sebastian who has given the music world a large catalogue of ditties including Battle Scars, Gold, Who’s That Girl and Like it Like That.

“I was just a kid when he won Australian Idol so having the world know him as a bit of star is normal for me,” said Jeremy who is a multiple boxing title winner in South Australia.

“He’s real supportive of my career which is cool. I know he is proud of what I am trying to do.”

Sam Rapira’s bout with Tonga’s Viliami Taofi could be one of the highlights at The Trusts Arena. Both have stellar amateur records and are known for their brutal body shots.

Rapira, who has just one pro fight behind him, wants the Hydr8 ZERO Explosion to be something of a coming out party for him in terms of gaining national exposure but he will be wary of his opponent’s rare southpaw stance and killer left hand.

One of fight fans’ favourites – former world champion Daniella Smith – is back on the Duco Events’ card as the Kiwi battler fights Australia’s Sarah Howett for the WBF Women’s World Welterweight and WIBA Women’s Light Welterweight belts.

Smith has only lost three times as a professional – one of those against Howett who, in a former life, played the role of ‘Viper’ on the Australian TV hit Gladiator.

Also squaring off on the night is a celebrity bout, featuring rival breakfast radio hosts – Mai FM’s Nickson Clark and The Rock’s Bryce Casey.

Duco Events are promising the night’s final bout – details of which will be released on Monday – will create as much buzz as any of their other undercard feature fights.

Given that they have given us the likes of Jaime Ridge, Haley Holt, Jesse Ryder and a swag of All Blacks and NRL stars in the past, speculation is rife about the upcoming announcement.

“It won’t disappoint,” is all Duco Events’ David Higgins would offer.

Hydr8 ZERO Explosion will be shown live on Sky Television’s Arena pay-per-view platform.

EVENT DETAILS:

EVENT NAME: Hydr8 ZERO Explosion

DATE: Thursday 13 June, 2013

LOCATION: THE TRUSTS ARENA, AUCKLAND

BROADCAST: LIVE on SKY ARENA, CHANNEL 065
$39.95 * domestic rate only
www.skytv.co.nz/arena or phone 0800 759-780

SPONSOR: HYDR8 ZERO

Hydr8 ZERO is a new electrolyte enhanced sports drink with ZERO sugar ZERO carbs. Formulated for both the professional or everyday recreational athlete striving for an edge in performance and recovery.

AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT:

DEAN LONERGAN: 021 969-449

DAVID HIGGINS: 021 435-415

• To arrange interviews with any of the fight card
CARLENA LIMMER 021 930-480
•

HYDR8 ZERO EXPLOSION FIGHTER BIO’S

Fight 1 – sponsored by Hydr8 ZERO

Marcel Botha vs Jeremy Sebastian

Welterweight
4 x 3 minute rounds

JEREMY SEBASTIAN

Jeremy Sebastian might not have the profile of his singing sensation brother Guy, but he’s fixing to change that. While his professional boxing career didn’t get off to the best start when he lost to fellow Aussie Michael Dan in May, Jeremy has the credentials to up his fight game. He had 25 fights as an amateur (winning 18) and picked up a Golden Gloves title and five state titles in his native South Australia. While still learning his craft, expect his jab to cause some damage.

RECORD: W 0 LOST 1 DRAWN 0

MARCEL BOTHA
This is Marcel Botha’s first professional fight. The "son-of" is a chip off the old man's block in the belief department. He is convinced he has the ability to be a champion not just in one division but in multiple divisions "and won't stop until that will come true." The 23 year old, of course, has boxing in his blood as he follows in the footsteps of his father - former contender in the heavyweight division Francois Botha. His favourite "go to" punch is the body shots and warns: "I'll just let my feet do the dancing and my fist do the talking! Thank you very much!"

RECORD: DEBUT

Fight 2 – sponsored by YOGG

Sam “The Terror” Rapira vs Viliami Taofi

Light Heavyweight
4 x 3 minute rounds

SAM RAPIRA

Sam Rapira (29) had the perfect start to his professional career when he stopped the experienced New Zealand light heavyweight Scott Taliauli in the third round of his debut bout in April. Rapira has a strong amateur background with over 75 fights (for 57 wins and 13 losses) including representing and captaining the New Zealand boxing team. Married with two children, ‘The Terror’ works as a fitness consultant but is committed to making his boxing his career. He impressed many with his ring work when he worked as a sparring partner for Shane Cameron ahead of the Danny Green fight last year.

RECORD: W 1 LOST 0 DRAWN 0

VILIAMI TAOFI

After more than a decade as an amateur, Viliami Taofi has made the decision to turn professional. A big powerful southpaw, the Tongan somehow avoided Sam Rapira in the amateur ranks but is more than happy to step up now. Like his opponent he has represented his country (Tonga) in Oceania and Pacific Games. And like his opponent fitness is his forte – along with a powerful left hand and brutal combinations.

RECORD: DEBUT

Fight 3 – sponsored by Hydr8 ZERO

“Diamond” Daniella Smith vs Sarah “Missy” Howett

WIBA Women’s Light Welterweight World Title Fight
WBF World Welterweight Title Fight
10 x 2 minute rounds

DANIELLA SMITH

“Diamond” Daniella Smith is New Zealand’s most decorated female boxer joining a select group of Kiwis to have won a professional world title when she defeated the favoured German Jennifer Retzke to claim the IBF Welterweight title in 2010. But all that will count for nothing when the 40 year old steps in against Sarah “Missy” Howett – one of only three fighters ever to record a win against the Kiwi. Smith has won twice since that 2012 defeat registering wins against Lisa Mauala and Lauryn Eagle.

RECORD: W 12 LOST 3 DRAWN 0

SARAH HOWETT

There will be no fear factor for the feisty Aussie Sarah “Missy” Howett when she gloves up against “Diamond” Daniella Smith. ‘Missy’ dominated their bout last year registering a unanimous decision. She is now knocking on the door of the world stage thanks to her ranking in the top ten female boxers on Planet Boxing. She is a former undefeated kickboxer /muay thai fighter and South Pacific & Victorian champion and many will remember her from her role as ‘Viper’ on Gladiator. Outside of training the 31 year old is an actress and professional stunt woman for film and television.

RECORD: W 12 LOST 1 DRAWN 0

Fight 4 – sponsored by THE ROCK

Bryce Casey (The ROCK) vs Nickson Clark (MAI FM)

Celebrity Charity Boxing rules
16 ounce gloves
3 x 2 minute rounds

BRYCE CASEY

Bryce Casey is used to rumbles given his work as an announcer on the Rocks multiple award winning breakfast show, the Morning Rumble. A nomadic childhood saw him attend 10 different schools – which probably explains why he claims to be an Aucklander – but supports the Wellington Hurricanes. Apart from the rugby, Bryce's favourite sport is boxing. He had talked about it so much on the Morning Rumble that his co-host Andrew Mulligan said it was time to “put up or shut up”. Being a very competitive person, he’s hopes he ‘puts up’.

RECORD: DEBUT

NICKSON CLARK

Nickson Clark is a breakfast announcer on New Zealand's number 1 Hip Hop & RnB urban radio station - Mai FM. Nickson is the only child to a Samoan mother and an English father and was brought up on the Westside of Auckland city. Nickson is a wannabe athlete, loves fitness, clothes and has an extremely addictive personality. Nickson loves a good challenge alongside an icy cold beer.

RECORD: DEBUT (Although he did have an altercation with a tow truck driver recently…)

Fight 5 – sponsored by Hydr8 ZERO

Jordan Tuigamala vs James Uoka

Super Middleweight
4 x 3 minute rounds

JORDAN TUIGAMALA

Being the “son of” doesn’t faze Jordan Tuigamala. While his father fashioned a stellar record with Auckland, the All Blacks, Wigan and Samoa, Jordan has carved a niche for himself as one of the country’s most promising boxing prospects. After an amateur record of 15 wins and 5 losses, he makes his pro debut on this card. Look for great hand speed, a crisp jab and devastating body shots from ‘JT’.

RECORD: DEBUT

JAMES UOKA

James Uoka will never change his style but he’s hoping his run of losses will come to a halt as he steps in with Jordan Tuigamala. Uoko based his fight plans on continually moving forward in the hope that by taking the fight to his opponents he can dictate both the style and result of the bout. It’s a strategy that is yet to pay off for the 32 year old Aucklander who turned pro two years ago after winning a corporate fight. Uoka has good speed and while he hasn’t lived up to his ‘Hitman’ moniker yet he’s hoping his ring experience will come the fore against the debutaunt Tuigamala.

RECORD: WON 0 LOST 5 DRAWN 0

Fight 6 – TO BE ANNOUNCED NEXT WEEK

Fight 7 - MAIN EVENT – Sponsored by Hydr8 ZERO

JOSEPH PARKER V FRANCOIS BOTHA

JOSEPH PARKER

The boy wonder will be on his biggest stage yet when he rumbles with Francois Botha. After a stellar amateur career - which included a gold medal at the 2011 Arafura Games in Darwin, a gold at the China Open and a silver at the 2010 Commonwealth Championships - the 21 year old phenom has signed a long term deal with Duco Events and is controlled by an all-star cast of advisors headed by the man who guided David Tua to a shot at the world heavyweight title - the Las Vegas based Kevin Barry. Not one for hype – even though he is surrounded by it – Parker prefers to do his talking with his fists. And that's something the first five opponents of his pro career - Dean Garmonsway, Terry Tuteru, Richard Tutaki, Dontay Pati and Brice Ritani-Coe (his first 'W' under 'KB' -) can attest to.

THE RECORD Won 5, Lost 0, Drawn 0.

FRANCOIS BOTHA

The man they call 'The White Buffalo' has fashioned a career as one of the heavyweight divisions most durable fighters. South African Francois Botha has been inside the ropes 61 times and has never sidestepped a challenge during his 23 years in the game. Indeed, he went undefeated in his first 35 fights a pro and has since been in with some of the biggest names in boxing including world champions Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, Michael Moorer, Shannon Briggs, Evander Holyfield and Wladimir Klitschko. In his last outing he was robbed of a possible victory against Sonny Bill Williams when the 12 round encounter was controversially shortened to ten rounds - just as Botha was beginning to dominate the fight... Botha later claimed that he was offered $150,000 from Sonny Bill's manager Khoder Nasser to throw the fight - something he refused to do. Nasser countered by accusing Botha of failing a drugs test but, once back at his base in South Africa, Botha produced a 'clean' test.

THE RECORD Won 48, Lost 9, Drawn 2.
ends

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