Fight night floors fans
Nelson’s Shanine Heywood, right, prevailed in a tough contest against Canterbury’s Abigail Hiddleston to open an evening of boxing involving fighters and fans from all over the South Island, at the Trafalgar Centre on Saturday.
Their club is still in its infancy, but Nelson fighters held their own at a packed-out boxing event on Saturday night.
The Legends of Nelson spectacle brought fighters and fans from all over the South Island to the Trafalgar Centre for 12 bouts.
Event promoter Randall Dixon, who started Dixon’s Boxing in Richmond a year ago, was blown away by the way his young club had performed.
‘‘We had eight [boxers] out there, and they all did exceptionally well. To do what we have done in 12 months speaks volumes.’’
He cited standout performances from Tessa Hogge and Kirsten Takao, who won their fights.
Kirsten’s partner Hoani Takao met Blenheim fighter Riki Winiata in a rematch, but it didn’t go entirely to plan, Dixon said. ‘‘Midway through the second round, he caught another eight count and I called the fight off.’’
The event attracted a couple of big names, like Reece Papuni, a professional heavyweight who has competed at the Commonwealth Games. ‘‘To bring him here fighting on our card was outstanding,’’ Dixon said.
The New Zealand Professional Boxing Association-sanctioned event was held to raise funds for the club’s gym. Dixon said the feedback it had received from the community was supportive, and the packed venue indicated a resurgence in popularity for the sport.
‘‘We’re bringing boxing back to Nelson.’’