Upset at the Big Bash

Upset at the Big Bash
Auckland Netball Centre in St John Auckland, New Zealand played host to one of New Zealand’s biggest promotions of the year with main event for the New Zealand National (NZPBA Version) & IBO Oceania Super Middleweight Title. But the before mentioning that the Undercard. The event was broadcast on TV 3.

First to be mention is the non televised pro bout between Josh Tai (4-11-0) and Kendall Cooper (2-2-0). This fight happened at the end of the night after the event went off air. This was a 78 kg Catchweight bout contested at 4x3 min rounds. It has been said but many members of the audience that it was a close bout, however it was Josh Tai to take home the win by UD. Unfortunately both Boxers got injured in this bout, both receiving some sort of broken hand injuries.

The first pro fight of the night was a Heavyweight 95 kg Catchweight bout contested at 4 x 3 min rounds with Tom Heads (2-6-0) taking on Nikolas Charalampous (13-0-0). Heads took it to Charalampous, to the point of rocking him in the 2nd round, however it was Charalampous experience that got the better of Heads with Charalampous winning by UD.

The one and only female bout was a Lightweight bout contested at 4 x 2 min rounds with Baby Nansen (Boxing: 4-2-0 Kickboxing: 24-12-2) going up against Wendy Talbot (Boxing: 0-1-0 Kickboxing: 16-5-0). The two have fought before as kickboxers twice, with each winning once. Baby Nansen came home with the win, winning and all the rounds with easy.

The cruiserweight bout of the night was contested at 4 x 3 min rounds with Navosa “Smiley” Ioata (3-1-0) taking on Debutant Salo Ben Vui. Vui is well known for being undefeated in Amateur back in Samoa and Corporate (38 fights before turning pro). Vui is a Samoa National amateur champion and South Pacific Amateur Champion. Despite his achievement in the amateurs, Vui couldn’t succeed in his Debut. Smiley won the bout by TKO in the Second round.

One of the Main undercards for the night was a Super Middleweight bout contested at 4x3 min rounds with Mose Auimatagi Jnr (4-1-2) taking on Pumipi Ngaronoa (Boxing: 1-0-0 Kickboxing: 30-9-0). Originally this bout was suppose to be Auimatagi vs Joe Blackbourn, however due to Blackbourn injury during training, Ngaronoa took the fight on short notice. Auimatagi is well known for winning both NZNBF and NZPBA versions of the New Zealand national middleweight title and defeating Gunnar Jackson for the UBF Asia Pacific Middleweight Title. Auimatagi simply out class his opponent taking home with the win by UD.

The quickest fight of the night was the heavyweight co main event at 4x3 min rounds. This fight ended at 30 seconds in the first round by TKO. Commonwealth Games Bronze Medalist Junior Fa (7-0-0) destroyed his opponent Mohammed Hussain (Boxing: Debut Kickboxing: 10-6-0). Hussain took the fight also on short notice. The bout was originally suppose to be fought by Junior Fa vs Daniel Tai for the Vacant NZPBA Heavyweight Title, but due to Daniel Tai hand injury, the Title bout was called off.

And Finally the Main event for the Vacant New Zealand National (NZPBA Version) and IBO Oceania Super middleweight title contested at 10x3 min round with Jordan Tai (8-1-0) taking on Jonathan Taylor (4-3-0). Jordan Tai already holds the NZNBF Version of the New Zealand National Title, he just needs this win to unify the two titles. Jonathan Taylor just came off a quick TKO win against Kendall Cooper in September.

From round one it was explosive with Tai being knocked down within the first 10 second, and throughout the fight Taylor punishing him. From then onwards Tai came back causing a cut to Taylor and Knocking Taylor down in the 5th round. The last couple of rounds heavy shots were thrown from both sides, but Taylor caught Tai in the 7th round and too many unanswered punches forced referee Lance Revill to step.

This was a big upset as Tai not only favoured to win, but on the record he is ranked 160th on boxrec, compared to Taylor’s 488th rank.

Jonathan Taylor now has his own National title to catch up with his younger brother, Anthony Taylor who has the NZPBA Welterweight and WBU World Super Lightweight titles. Jonathan Taylor showed amazing sportsmanship in his post fight speech, saying Jordan Tai is an amazing boxer and a heavyweight hitter but glad that the fight was finished. With this end to the fight it is unknown what is next for the Taylors or the Tais, however after this event, it will be a massive 2017 for both families.

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