05-23-2019, 06:35 PM
Opunake boxer James Langton pulls out of title fight
15:34, May 23 2019
James Langton 'Batman' has pulled out of this weekend's title fight because of health concerns.
Saturday's heavyweight boxing clash in New Plymouth has been scratched from the fight night card.
Opunake heavyweight James Langton was set to meet Auckland's Nik Charalampous in the ring but the Taranaki fighter has revealed he has been suffering headaches and pain behind his eyes and was seeing a doctor.
In an emailed statement, fight night promoter Sam Rapira said because of this the main event of the Crowded House Bar and Eatery Taranaki Explosion at the TSB Stadium had been scratched.
Langton was putting his Pro-Box New Zealand heavyweight title on the line for the fight.
"You don't take chances in boxing – if you are not 100 per cent, you don't get into the ring," Rapira said.
Despite the late notice, Rapira had endeavoured to find a replacement fighter but had not been able to do so.
Because of Langton's withdrawal, the Taranaki Explosion will feature a women's fight as its premier bout.
Langton was set to put his Pro-Box New Zealand heavyweight title on the line for the fight against Auckland's Nik Charalampous.
New Plymouth's Tarn "The Terminator" Reid will take on Auckland's New Zealand number one Baby "Pitbull" Nansen in a lightweight contest.
Reid, who has one win, one loss, one draw, said there was nothing better than fighting at home. She said her decision to take on one of the country's top fighters was because she did not do things by halves.
Nansen boxed in New York's Madison Square Garden 12 months ago and had a record of seven wins, four defeats and a draw.
Rapira said the fight card remained the most heavily populated to have been staged in New Plymouth.
"I'm disappointed to have had to announce the Langton-Charalampous fight is off – but we still have an evening with 10 fights – and some really good corporate match ups."
Rapira said the corporate tables for the event had sold out – but general admission tickets were still available.
Stuff
15:34, May 23 2019
James Langton 'Batman' has pulled out of this weekend's title fight because of health concerns.
Saturday's heavyweight boxing clash in New Plymouth has been scratched from the fight night card.
Opunake heavyweight James Langton was set to meet Auckland's Nik Charalampous in the ring but the Taranaki fighter has revealed he has been suffering headaches and pain behind his eyes and was seeing a doctor.
In an emailed statement, fight night promoter Sam Rapira said because of this the main event of the Crowded House Bar and Eatery Taranaki Explosion at the TSB Stadium had been scratched.
Langton was putting his Pro-Box New Zealand heavyweight title on the line for the fight.
"You don't take chances in boxing – if you are not 100 per cent, you don't get into the ring," Rapira said.
Despite the late notice, Rapira had endeavoured to find a replacement fighter but had not been able to do so.
Because of Langton's withdrawal, the Taranaki Explosion will feature a women's fight as its premier bout.
Langton was set to put his Pro-Box New Zealand heavyweight title on the line for the fight against Auckland's Nik Charalampous.
New Plymouth's Tarn "The Terminator" Reid will take on Auckland's New Zealand number one Baby "Pitbull" Nansen in a lightweight contest.
Reid, who has one win, one loss, one draw, said there was nothing better than fighting at home. She said her decision to take on one of the country's top fighters was because she did not do things by halves.
Nansen boxed in New York's Madison Square Garden 12 months ago and had a record of seven wins, four defeats and a draw.
Rapira said the fight card remained the most heavily populated to have been staged in New Plymouth.
"I'm disappointed to have had to announce the Langton-Charalampous fight is off – but we still have an evening with 10 fights – and some really good corporate match ups."
Rapira said the corporate tables for the event had sold out – but general admission tickets were still available.
Stuff