MEET TARANAKI’S ‘TERMINATOR’
Boxer Tarn ‘‘The Terminator’’ Reid has big plans to fight her way to a national title in front of her home crowd next month.
Reid will step into the ring with Northland’s Quinita Hati for the New Zealand Professional Boxing Commission (NZPBC) national title at the Fowler Homes Taranaki Explosion Fight Night on May 19, at New Plymouth’s TSB Stadium.
The fight, a re-match after the pair’s first bout in December ended in a draw, is the first female title fight to be held in the region.
Reid, who fought for four amateur titles without success before turning professional, said it would mean a lot to her to be able to claim the title in front of her local crowd.
‘‘Yep without a doubt, the last fight I had against her I did have a few injuries that didn’t help. This time I’m going in 100 per cent fit,’’ the 39-year-old said.
‘‘It would mean heaps, it’s kind of what I have always wanted to get under my belt.’’
The personal trainer and owner of New Plymouth’s Olympus Fitness and Performance Gym has been boxing for nine years and said her training for the bout had been going well.
‘‘I’m going into this fight with my eyes open and I have a height advantage which means I can box a different style of fight to Quinita.
‘‘I have been training hard and have been sparring with Commonwealth Games boxer Megan Maka so I am really happy with my preparation.’’
She said female fighters were more technical than males and didn’t just stand and swing, so the crowd was set for a show.
‘‘They are very busy fighters. They don’t want to be hit so they are smart about it.’’
The event will feature nine bouts, a mix of professional and corporate boxers, and would be the first to be staged since Sam Rapira retired in May 2017.
Organiser Ashley Smith said they were expecting strong local support for the fixture.
‘‘We have a great card organised and we are really pleased to be able to support Tarn in her national title fight against Quinita,’’ Smith said.
‘‘The boxing nights are tremendous fun and the corporate fighters have been training hard and really add to the entertainment value,’’ she added.
"I'm going into this fight with my eyes open... I'm going in 100 per cent fit."
Tarn "The Terminator" Reid