Fight for Life 2013 - Shane Cameron V Brian Minto

Fight for Life 2013 - Shane Cameron V Brian Minto

RING rust. It is something that plagued David Tua for the last years of his prolonged career and it’s something that will be the great leveller in Shane Cameron’s comeback fight next month.

That’s the call from the Mountain Warriors’ Woodstock Fight for Life opponent Brian Minto as the American prepares for their December 14 brawl at Waitakere’s Trusts Arena.

The 38 year old American has enlisted Tua’s former trainer, and current Joseph Parker mentor Kevin Barry, to help mastermind the downfall of Cameron.

But Minto says the greatest asset ahead of the fight is Cameron’s inactivity.

Minto, who has a respectable record of 38 wins and seven losses in a professional career dating back to 2002 is determined not to get into a slagging match with Cameron who, “is a fighter I respect.”

But ‘The Beast’ couldn’t resist a jab at the Kiwi’s lack of rounds in recent times.

Minto has fought six times in the last two years while Cameron has only fought twice, registering a win against Monte Barrett mid-way through last year and, in his last fight last November, a loss to cruiserweight Danny Green.

“That would worry me,” Minto said. “It’s all very well talking about knocking me out but I haven’t been out of the ring for a year like Shane.

“That is bound to play on his mind when the bell goes.

“You can say you are sparring great in the gym but, trust me, it is different once you get under those lights and you get those 10 ounce gloves on.

“When you have been off so long, there are a lot of unanswered questions.”

Whether Minto can answer those questions remains to be seen.

By the time of his bout against Minto, Cameron would have been officially inactive for 388 days.

It sounds like a long time because it is.

But Cameron going into a fight underdone is one criticism that has never been thrown at the New Zealander during the 36 year old’s 14 years as a professional.

Cameron is worthy of his moniker, because he is a warrior.

He has KO’d opponents while nursing a broken hand. He has won, and lost, bruised and bloodied. He has been “retired” by scribes after losses, but has comeback and surprised the nay-sayers time after time; Barrett being the last to feel his power when a right hand decked him in the fourth round of their July 2012 bout.

Barry, in Minto’s corner for the first time, is not underestimating the danger that Cameron will bring in the Woodstock Fight for Life headline show - although he is surprised the Kiwi has agreed to fight Minto in his first fight back.

“This is a tougher fight than I thought Shane would want to come back on,” Barry said. “That tells me that Shane is very serious about what he wants to achieve. But, hey, it’s a tough fight to fight when you have been out of the ring for a year.

“It’s too close to call. It’s a fight that is winnable for both guys because both like to fight, both like to trade punches and both like to come forward. I’ll be surprised if someone isn’t knocked out.”

The heavyweight bout will headline the Woodstock Fight for Life which features an all-star cast of rugby and league internationals.

All Blacks hero Liam Messam leads a rugby team which boasts the likes of Chiefs prop ‘Big’ Ben Tameifuna, while Kangaroos and NSW hardman Paul Gallen oversees a crew which includes Broncos and Queensland great Sam Thaiday.

Meanwhile, this year’s version of the Woodstock Fight for Life sees the return of one of the most popular celebrity boxers from iconic fight nights – ‘brave heart’ television presenter Stephen McIvor.

He has fought twice in the past, for two losses by way of knockouts. But the Sky Television sport anchor is back for one last tilt in the ring as he chases boxing respect and redemption.

MAIN EVENT COMBATANTS

Shane Cameron

Shane Cameron’s place in New Zealand boxing history is secure. While many’s first thought of the Mountain Warrior places him on the wrong side of a barrage from David Tua the truth is Cameron has had more highs than lows in a very respectable career. An early highlight was when he KO’d former Australian heavyweight champion Bob Mirovic with his broken hand. After loses to Friday Ahunanya and Tua he set about rebuilding his career by registering five wins before coming up with a devastating knockout of Monte Barrett – his last action as a heavyweight. His brave battle for Danny Green’s IBO cruiserweight title ended in defeat in December but he’s now eyeing an extended stint back in the heavyweight division.

THE RECORD: Won 29 (KO 22), Lost 3 (KO 2), Drawn 0

Brian Minto

The man they call ‘The Beast’ is a throwback fighter to the days when brawlers where preferred to the more scientific boxers. The American – who has knocked out 24 of his 38 victims in the ring – is a ‘come-forward’ type who always takes the fight to his opponent. He won’t be fazed by finding himself in Shane Cameron’s house – Minto is used to fighting in enemy territory having battled in places like Germany, Poland and the UK. He is banking on his busy schedule to pay dividends against Cameron. The Kiwi has fought only twice in the last two years while Minto has clocked up six fights in the same time frame.

THE RECORD: Won 38 (KO 24), Lost 7 (KO 3), Drawn 0

For further comment: Dean Lonergan Ph: + 64 21 969 449 EVENT DETAILS: WHAT: Woodstock Fight for Life 2013 DATE: Saturday 14 December 2013 VENUE: The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand BROADCAST: Live on Sky TV’s pay-per-view channel SKY ARENA from 7.00pm General Admission tickets are on sale at www.ticketdirect.co.nz Corporate Table tickets are on sale at www.ducoevents.co.nz

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