Bryant to fight Fa for NZ title
Manawatu boxer Lance Bryant will defend his New Zealand NBF cruiserweight title against Isileli Fa in Palmerston North next month.
Taranaki’s James Langton was meant to be Bryant’s opponent, but Langton had to pull out with a back injury, so Fa is his replacement.
Bryant became the interim New Zealand title holder when he beat Langton in June, then became the official title holder when Monty Betham, who Langton was originally meant to fight for the title, retired due to injury.
‘‘I’m a man of my word,’’ Bryant said. ‘‘[Langton] asked me if I would have a rematch and it’s a verbal agreement. But he got injured.’’
Bryant holds three titles at the moment - the New Zealand belt, as well as the IBO Asia Pacific and WBF Oceania titles - but only the New Zealand crown is on the line against Fa.
Fa is the brother of Junior Fa, who holds the New Zealand PBA heavyweight title, and should be a good matchup for Bryant when they clash at the Arena on May 4.
Fa has a record of two wins and eight losses, but Bryant didn’t know much about him.
‘‘I’ve just seen his win-and-loss record and it’s not the greatest,’’ Bryant said. ‘‘But he’s actually fighting the best in Oceania.’’
Bryant hasn’t fought since October when he beat Southlander Thomas Heads in Feilding.
‘‘I haven’t stopped training since the last fight,’’ Bryant said. ‘‘I keep up a really good base training, even over Christmas.
‘‘That’s four Christmases without a beer. I keep up a good base training and I’m really stepping it up from now until fight night.’’
It has been a long time since he last got in the ring, but Bryant said patience is part of the game.
After the Fa fight, Bryant also has a fight against Junior Pati in Auckland in July for the for the Universal Boxing Federation title.
Pati is a heavyweight and is coming down to cruiserweight, so may lose some power. Bryant said if he defends the title in Palmerston North, it could open up opportunities and he could push for a fight in Europe.
The Bryant-fa bout will be the main event at the Battle of the Belts fight night.