11-02-2015, 04:26 PM
Monty Betham motivated by lifelong boxing dream in New Zealand cruiserweight title fight
Monty Betham is attempting to fulfill a childhood boxing dream.
Monty Betham says following in his father's footsteps by claiming the New Zealand cruiserweight title would be fulfilling a "lifelong dream".
At a packed out weigh-in at Auckland's Sky City Convention Centre on Monday, the 37-year-old former Warriors league player said he is ready for the challenge of Taranaki's title holder James Langton in Tuesday night's Super 8 contest.
There was no love lost between the two as they trash talked throughout the weigh-in, with Betham tipping the scales at 89.5kg to Langton's 88.2kg.
"It is the second time that me and Monty have met and we have had a few words," Langton said after the hostile stare down. "There is a bit of tension there. It obviously means a lot to both of us to win this title. It is going to be a good fight."
The seasoned Langton, who is riding a nine-fight winning streak, including knockout wins over former champ Monty Filimaea, former title challenger Scott Talialui and David Tua's cousin Junior Pati, for a 9-2 record, says Betham is in for a fright.
He labelled Betham as a "celebrity boxer" who doesn't have the ability to go into "dark places" where this fight will be won.
Betham stopped short of saying that this was the time to announce himself as a boxer .
"I just want to win this title," he said. "If I do that then that announces that I am not just a guy who has flirted with boxing but that I have an achievement that is legit. That is all I want to do. Even as a kid, about 25 years ago, I used to dream of getting a boxing belt like my old man and now is my opportunity."
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.
Betham said that Langton wasn't comfortable talking the fight up and smiled at the suggestion that he couldn't go to "dark places".
"I laugh at that to be honest. When you have had a NRL career for more than 10 years, you have been to many dark places. I think he needs to come out into the sun a bit more."
Betham comes into this fight having beaten former All Black Carlos Spencer and former English cricketer Adam Hollioake in his last two fights and says this challenge is the biggest of his career.
"My last big opponent was Shane Cameron but I went in there with a different intention, I went in there to survive more than anything else. I went in on only two weeks notice with a $20,000 knockout bonus so I had my work cut out for me. This one is about winning and that is what I want to do tomorrow night go out there and win the title."
Langton believed that Betham is in for a reality check in the fight that will be live on Sky Sport.
"This is definitely going to be a wake up call for him," said the 42-year-old. "This will be my fifth fight this year, Monty has had one. I am fighting fit. He has done a lot of sparring but in the ring, it is a totally different story."
Langton said apart from suffering from burn out two weeks ago from over-training, his preparation has all gone to plan.
"I have been in the ring with some of the best fighters in New Zealand. Monty, sure he did six rounds with Shane Cameron, but a lot of people don't realise that was with 16-18 ounce gloves and they were two minute rounds. You can't call it a true pro fight. Monty has a fright coming his way tomorrow."
The Betham - Langton clash, expected to be one of the fights of the night, is one of eight fights on the Super 8 card.
Hemi Ahio will face Alapati A'asa for the NZ heavyweight title, while NSW league captain Paul Gallen will take on Warriors hard man Bodene Thompson.
The Super 8 tournament also includes Israel Adesanya, Lance Bryant, Zane Hopman and Jamie Porter in the cruiserweight and Robbie Berridge, Reece Papuni, Brad Riddell and Sefo Falekaona in the light heavyweight.
The charity feature bout sees former Shortland Street star Bree Peters against Bacholerette Lisa O'Loughlin, with the pair fighting for Kidscan and the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation respectively.
- Stuff
Monty Betham is attempting to fulfill a childhood boxing dream.
Monty Betham says following in his father's footsteps by claiming the New Zealand cruiserweight title would be fulfilling a "lifelong dream".
At a packed out weigh-in at Auckland's Sky City Convention Centre on Monday, the 37-year-old former Warriors league player said he is ready for the challenge of Taranaki's title holder James Langton in Tuesday night's Super 8 contest.
There was no love lost between the two as they trash talked throughout the weigh-in, with Betham tipping the scales at 89.5kg to Langton's 88.2kg.
"It is the second time that me and Monty have met and we have had a few words," Langton said after the hostile stare down. "There is a bit of tension there. It obviously means a lot to both of us to win this title. It is going to be a good fight."
The seasoned Langton, who is riding a nine-fight winning streak, including knockout wins over former champ Monty Filimaea, former title challenger Scott Talialui and David Tua's cousin Junior Pati, for a 9-2 record, says Betham is in for a fright.
He labelled Betham as a "celebrity boxer" who doesn't have the ability to go into "dark places" where this fight will be won.
Betham stopped short of saying that this was the time to announce himself as a boxer .
"I just want to win this title," he said. "If I do that then that announces that I am not just a guy who has flirted with boxing but that I have an achievement that is legit. That is all I want to do. Even as a kid, about 25 years ago, I used to dream of getting a boxing belt like my old man and now is my opportunity."
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.
Betham said that Langton wasn't comfortable talking the fight up and smiled at the suggestion that he couldn't go to "dark places".
"I laugh at that to be honest. When you have had a NRL career for more than 10 years, you have been to many dark places. I think he needs to come out into the sun a bit more."
Betham comes into this fight having beaten former All Black Carlos Spencer and former English cricketer Adam Hollioake in his last two fights and says this challenge is the biggest of his career.
"My last big opponent was Shane Cameron but I went in there with a different intention, I went in there to survive more than anything else. I went in on only two weeks notice with a $20,000 knockout bonus so I had my work cut out for me. This one is about winning and that is what I want to do tomorrow night go out there and win the title."
Langton believed that Betham is in for a reality check in the fight that will be live on Sky Sport.
"This is definitely going to be a wake up call for him," said the 42-year-old. "This will be my fifth fight this year, Monty has had one. I am fighting fit. He has done a lot of sparring but in the ring, it is a totally different story."
Langton said apart from suffering from burn out two weeks ago from over-training, his preparation has all gone to plan.
"I have been in the ring with some of the best fighters in New Zealand. Monty, sure he did six rounds with Shane Cameron, but a lot of people don't realise that was with 16-18 ounce gloves and they were two minute rounds. You can't call it a true pro fight. Monty has a fright coming his way tomorrow."
The Betham - Langton clash, expected to be one of the fights of the night, is one of eight fights on the Super 8 card.
Hemi Ahio will face Alapati A'asa for the NZ heavyweight title, while NSW league captain Paul Gallen will take on Warriors hard man Bodene Thompson.
The Super 8 tournament also includes Israel Adesanya, Lance Bryant, Zane Hopman and Jamie Porter in the cruiserweight and Robbie Berridge, Reece Papuni, Brad Riddell and Sefo Falekaona in the light heavyweight.
The charity feature bout sees former Shortland Street star Bree Peters against Bacholerette Lisa O'Loughlin, with the pair fighting for Kidscan and the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation respectively.
- Stuff