Sam Rapira boxes on
Taranaki’s Sam Rapira has rung the bell on his boxing career but is continuing to fight outside the ring for the sport he loves.
Known as ‘‘The Terror’’, the
35-year-old is promoting, with his wife Jessica, a fight night at New Plymouth’s TSB Stadium on May
25 which will feature a heavyweight title bout as the main event.
The ‘‘Crowded House presents: Taranaki Explosion’’ will boast an 11-fight card and will feature Opunake’s James Langton defending his Pro-Box New Zealand heavyweight title against Auckland’s Nik Charalampous.
Rapira made his pro debut at the venue in April 2013 and ended his career as a professional for the first time, to a standing ovation, clutching the Pan-Asian Boxing Association’s light heavyweight title in May 2017 at the same place. A year later Rapira tried a comeback but was soundly beaten by Christchurch’s Ratu Dawai.
This will be Rapira’s first fight night at the venue where he won’t be in the ring but he is enjoying being able to share his knowledge. ‘‘I have a lot of experience that I can pass on.’’
He had a long time friendship with Charalampous, who has previously fought as a cruiserweight, and was helping him prepare for the bout. Rapira said going up a weight class was never easy but he believed the knowledge he had passed on would complement the ‘‘amazing skills’’ Charalampous possessed.
The contrast between the scientific style of Charalampous’ and Langton’s heart would provide an entertaining bout.
‘‘These are the best fights. I’m happy to put on a great fight that people will come and enjoy.’’
In the second professional fight, Taranaki’s top female boxer Tania Reid, who turned pro in 2017 and has a win, loss and a draw to her name, fights Auckland’s Baby Nansen. A win would help Reid move up the rankings.
Despite a death last year, the other nine fights are corporate bouts. Rapira said they would be making the match-ups as safe as possible. ‘‘Our event we run safely and we pay a lot of attention to detail.’’
The rounds have been shortened from two minutes to 90 seconds, the gloves have more padding and the fighters’ preparation has been extended.
He expected the event would be well supported. ‘‘People appreciate seeing the hard work that goes into fighting and they love seeing someone give it their all in the ring. Whether people are interested in boxing or not, they tell me they have loved the atmosphere.’’
Rapira said it would strange not to be fighting.
‘‘I’m jealous of these guys I’m training but my time is over.’’
Tickets go on sale through Ticketek on March 13. feel