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Fair enough then.
I've got to hand it to Sam, I didn't think he would take fights like Robbie and Ford when he'd already had a couple of losses but he proved me wrong. I hope he wins this next fight. He's been great for the sport and deserves everyone's respect.
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Posts: 1,030
Threads: 19
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,030
Threads: 19
Joined: Nov 2014
New opponent for Rapira.
Sam Rapira has had a change of opponent for his come back fight at the Taranaki Explosion boxing on Saturday the 19th May.
Rapira will be fighting light heavyweight Ratu Dawai for the New Zealand Professional Boxing Council light-heavyweight title.
Organiser Ashley Smith said Rapira's original opponent Abbay Chand was no longer available so Dawai stepped up to take the fight.
"Having a New Zealand title fight over 10 rounds is important for us and he wanted to challenge for the title. He is a strong boxer and despite having a mixed record, he has never been knocked out in the light heavyweight division and is in great shape.
For Rapira, the new opponent will mean not dropping to a new weight class as planned.
“I’m happy with Dawai as my opponent and I respect him for stepping up to take this bout at short notice.
"He is a different boxer so tactically I'll need to be sharp and make sure I adjust to his style. While I am a little bit disappointed I can no longer display how effective I’d be at super-middleweight, having the chance to fight for a title is great" he said.
Rapira said an added incentive if he wins is that he will be the New Zealand champion again as, and when the rankings points are updated the week after the fight, a win would position him as no.1 at Light heavyweight in New Zealand.
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Good to see a few more fights popping up on the domestic scene. Taylor's first fight since stopping Jordan Tai back in Dec 2016.
Anyone know what Anthony Taylor is up to????
MAIN EVENT 6X3 minute rounds of professional boxing. Current NZ Super Middleweight Champion Jonathan Taylor (Tauranga) takes on Sivan Hermez (Auckland).
This Saturday 12th of May! QE2 Memorial Hall, Tauranga.
Doors open 5pm, show starts 530pm.
Door Sales $40
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Posts: 1,030
Threads: 19
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Any guesses who the promoter was that has been talking to Patrick Mailata?
Kiwi boxer Patrick Mailata awaits news of the sport being dropped from Olympics
https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/103605857/sport-kiwi-boxer-patrick-mailata-awaits-news-of-the-sport-being-dropped-from-olympics
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(05-16-2018, 05:16 PM)justafan Wrote: Sam Rapira doesn't need to drop weight for boxing bout
https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/103781175/sam-rapira-doesnt-need-to-drop-weight-for-boxing-bout
Forgot about that fight. Sam should have little trouble with him:
http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/679818
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Also, Jonathan Taylor made a quite return over the weekend in a six rounder against Sivan Hermez.
Taylor won via TKO. Not sure which round and haven't been able to find any media reports on it.
It was Taylor's first fight since his upset knockout over Jordan Tai in late 2016. I'm not sure but think there was a hand injury in that fight that's why he was off for so long.
He holds the IBO Oceania and NZPBA Super Middleweight belts and Rapira wants to fight at super middle... I'd be keen to see that
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(03-09-2018, 08:11 PM)African Monkey Wrote: Conrad Lam v Daniel Tai is happening on March 29.
(04-24-2018, 10:46 AM)diehard Wrote: Bad news. Sam is pretty beat up from some wars. Needs to retire.
Well, well, well Die. Sam Rapira was beaten by TKO last night against Ratu Dawai who is now 4-7-1. I will never disagree with you again...
