Waitohu Rapira-Ngarewa put on a superb performance in her second professional fight to beat Aucklander Ayisha Abied in a Taranaki Explosion event in New Plymouth on Saturday that celebrated the increasing interest in women’s boxing.
The New Plymouth mum known as Lulu showed hand speed, timing and aggression several levels up from her debut performance in the New Plymouth YMCA last November.
She also had trainer, fight night promoter and husband Sam Rapira in her corner for the final event on an 11-bout card which also saw former New Zealand Warrior Sione Faumuina beat New Plymouth’s Tony Dickson on points.
The night also had a guest appearance by the number three ranked UFC fighter in the world, Carlos Ulberg from Auckland, and an auction called by New Plymouth district councillor Sam Bennett which raised $14,150 for the Box Office Boxing gym.
The main lightweight bout over four two minute rounds was the fourth women’s fight of the night and Rapira-Ngarewa was matched against an opponent who had previously beaten her in kick-boxing.
Abied showed a cast iron chin as Rapira-Ngarewa set the scene early, scoring with three jabs, and later unleashing a flurry of blows with Abied penned in a corner. It was a pattern repeated in the next three rounds - but the fight was not one way traffic.
Abied frequently came up with a punch which caught her opponent flush, none more so than in the second round and made this a compelling contest.
Sam Rapira was impressed and hinted another step up could be in the offing at his next fight night in November.
“But for now let’s reflect on this fight and the lessons from it,” he said.
His two fight nights a year programme continues to draw the crowds in New Plymouth.
The corporate tables were almost sell out and on a night when Sky TV had two major live events and the walk-up crowd filled most of the seats in the bleachers.
The quality of fights has improved markedly over the years - and as Rapira draws in more women fighters, the number of women spectators rises.
The evening saw all 11 fights go the distance.
A clear crowd favourite was a slug fest which matched Hine Te Awhe against the much taller Karla Wilson. Wilson was a clear winner, but Te Awhe earned cheers for leaving nothing in the ring.
Faumuina towered over Dickson in the co-main event and had his rival trouble in round two.
Dickson’s stated goal had always been to go the distance against a “legend” and having achieved that he told of his great respect for the former league star who “hits like a truck”.
Post-fight, Faumuina called on the audience to applaud Dickson for his performance.
Other results: Lionel Haldane b Joe Brooks, Bays Pratt b Zac Henderson, Tray Tohu b Chaz Jones, Dani Bridson b Willow Heart, Hohepa Te Moana b Andre Barlow, Arielle Grindlay b Taela Wakeling, Kobe Ratapu b Brendon Kaye, Mike Wilson b Jeremy Bennetts, Karla Wilson b Hine Te Awhe.
- Taranaki Daily News
