YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monty Betham to fight James Langton for NZ cruiserweight title
Former Warrior Monty Betham will fight James Langton for the NZ cruiserweight title in Auckland on November 3.
Monty Betham's return to the ring comes with added incentive - the prospect of claiming the New Zealand cruiserweight title.
The 37-year-old former Warriors hooker will challenge Taranaki's title holder James Langton, who is riding a nine fight win streak, including KO wins over former champ, Monty Filimaea, former title challenger Scott Talialui and David Tua's cousin Junior Pati, on November 3 in Auckland. Langton holds a 9-2 record.
Betham's father, Monty Senior, held the New Zealand middle and light heavyweight crowns, and the Commonwealth middleweight title on two occasions. In the golden era of middleweight greats, Betham Senior also fought WBC/WBA champion Allan Minter and WBA super welterweight champion Ayub Kalule, both of whom lost their titles to hall of famers' Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard, respectively.
Regarded as a "celebrity" fighter for much of his career, having beaten former All Black Carlos Spencer and former English cricketer Adam Hollioake in his last two fights, Betham Junior is keen to prove his boxing credentials and follow in his father's footsteps.
"Although my professional career path has been different to dad's, he instilled that same drive and ambition in me to achieve.
"As a kid I dreamed of winning a title like dad, now 30 years on I get a chance to do just that."
Monty Senior is a man of few words who has quietly watched his son's league career with a great deal of pride and is now relishing the prospect of his son legitimising his boxing career with a national title.
"Having my son go into the ring makes me happy and proud. He's a capable sportsman that has the right attitude and mindset to achieve in boxing.
"I'm confident in his abilities and know that he can do what he sets his mind to."
Langton is determined to make Betham earn the title.
"I'm a real test for Monty, he's picked on a guy who's won nine in a row with five KOs and has been fighting regularly," he said.
"Monty's a top class athlete with some great skills, but he's only fought two celebrity novices in two years.
"He hasn't been 10 rounds which is experience he's going to need, because the title is going to go to the guy who can go to dark places, battle through pain to take a win – and that will be me."
- Stuff
Event: SUPER 8 - IV
Date: Wednesday, 3 November August, 2015
Venue: SKY CITY - AUCKLAND
Monty Betham to fight James Langton for NZ cruiserweight title
Former Warrior Monty Betham will fight James Langton for the NZ cruiserweight title in Auckland on November 3.
Monty Betham's return to the ring comes with added incentive - the prospect of claiming the New Zealand cruiserweight title.
The 37-year-old former Warriors hooker will challenge Taranaki's title holder James Langton, who is riding a nine fight win streak, including KO wins over former champ, Monty Filimaea, former title challenger Scott Talialui and David Tua's cousin Junior Pati, on November 3 in Auckland. Langton holds a 9-2 record.
Betham's father, Monty Senior, held the New Zealand middle and light heavyweight crowns, and the Commonwealth middleweight title on two occasions. In the golden era of middleweight greats, Betham Senior also fought WBC/WBA champion Allan Minter and WBA super welterweight champion Ayub Kalule, both of whom lost their titles to hall of famers' Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard, respectively.
Regarded as a "celebrity" fighter for much of his career, having beaten former All Black Carlos Spencer and former English cricketer Adam Hollioake in his last two fights, Betham Junior is keen to prove his boxing credentials and follow in his father's footsteps.
"Although my professional career path has been different to dad's, he instilled that same drive and ambition in me to achieve.
"As a kid I dreamed of winning a title like dad, now 30 years on I get a chance to do just that."
Monty Senior is a man of few words who has quietly watched his son's league career with a great deal of pride and is now relishing the prospect of his son legitimising his boxing career with a national title.
"Having my son go into the ring makes me happy and proud. He's a capable sportsman that has the right attitude and mindset to achieve in boxing.
"I'm confident in his abilities and know that he can do what he sets his mind to."
Langton is determined to make Betham earn the title.
"I'm a real test for Monty, he's picked on a guy who's won nine in a row with five KOs and has been fighting regularly," he said.
"Monty's a top class athlete with some great skills, but he's only fought two celebrity novices in two years.
"He hasn't been 10 rounds which is experience he's going to need, because the title is going to go to the guy who can go to dark places, battle through pain to take a win – and that will be me."
- Stuff
Event: SUPER 8 - IV
Date: Wednesday, 3 November August, 2015
Venue: SKY CITY - AUCKLAND