Women’s title fight headline
There will be fists flying, battered shins and knockout knees at Te Rauparaha Arena next month.
Triple Impact 4 will feature a world women’s boxing title bout on February 28 between Wellington’s Gentiane Lupi and Shannon O’Connell, along with the pro boxing debut of Upper Hutt’s Harry Scaife, a three-time amateur New Zealand champion.
Promoter Mark Hampton said it would be one of the fight nights of the year.
‘‘We’ve got a lot of really talented, strong fighters coming through the ranks, and the tournament is a great place for them to showcase just how good they are,’’ he said.
‘‘The surge in popularity of kickboxing is due to the fantastic talent that New Zealand has.
‘‘We’re one of the top countries in the world and this reputation is attracting a new audience to our events.’’
Lupi will have a battle on her hands to take the Women’s International Boxing Association super bantamweight title from the experienced O’Connell, who is from Australia and has 63 fights to her name.
Lupi has just 10 boxing fights under her belt and won the New Zealand pro boxing title in December.
She lost to O’Connell early last year, but said she was more prepared this time.
‘‘On paper, I have no chance,’’ she said.
‘‘I have less experience in the ring and less experience in the gym. But the fight is fought in the ring and odds and chances of win- ning don’t mean much once the bell rings.’’
Scaife will take on newcomer Leon Tangaroa in a four-round boxing bout and the other main event fights are Caleb Lim v Matt Lapwood (Muay Thai fight), Jerry Norris v Josh Hargreaves (mixed martial arts) and Jade Soliga v Aumavera Aumavera (Muay Thai).
Hampton said the large number of undercard fights would involve Porirua athletes with plenty of
support in the crowd for them.