Fight night a success
Keanu Tapata Stephens, with Marlborough Boxing Club coach Raymond Madsen, was thrilled to bag the winner's medal. Photos Peter Jones.
Marlborough boxing fans were treated to a series of well-matched bouts at Simcox Stadium last Saturday.
Fighters from the newly-formed Top of the South Boxing Association took on opponents from Canterbury, Nelson and Hawke’s Bay in a 12-fight card across a variety of weight divisions and skill levels. Included in the mix were three exhibition matches.
Four of the local boxers scored wins.
In the 48kg section, Marlborough Boxing Club fighter Keanu Tapata Stephens outpointed his opponent from the Whakatu Club in Nelson. Fighting in the 76kg division, Arapawa Boxing Club athlete Matthew Jones beat his rival from Hastings while Troy Patu-Hillman, also from Arapawa, overcame another Hastings fighter in the 75kg section. Iin the night’s penultimate battle, Sateki Abott, from the Victory Club in Nelson, scored a unanimous win over his opponent from the Sledgehammer club in Christchurch.
Overall, the visiting crew claimed the Kevin Barry Sr and Peter Madsen Trophy, winning five of the nine bouts in what is hoped will be an annual event.
