Renata Karena, fighting in the senior open 64kg-75kg semi-final, scored a decisive win over Callum Fraser, of the Clifton Boxing Club of Dunedin. Karena used some classic punch combinations and skilfully cut off options for his opponent, winning 34-14.
Later in the evening, fighting for the Southland Champion title of his division against Gary Waines, of Bells Gym in Christchurch, Karena was beaten. The fight was close in the first three rounds, but was lost in the fourth and final round, with a final score of 29-19.
Gore Boxing Club coach Russell Newton was nevertheless happy with the commitment and tenacity he showed.
‘‘Renata fought a good, hard fight earlier on and Gary Waines was coming in fresh. Renata put in a very brave effort against him considering this and did really well. Unfortunately, in the last round he just couldn't move freely without being tagged,'' he said.
Fighting in the junior novice 36kg-38kg final, Tiarete Wanahi (11) found himself facing some tough opposition against Ben Lewis (11), of Temuka Boxing Club. His momentum was interrupted when he had to stop three times to adjust his headgear. Although he was a firm crowd favourite, Tiarete was pushed back by an avalanche of punches from Ben to lose 31-9.
Daniel Barclay, who fought in the senior novice 69kg-75kg final, scored a decisive victory over Nathan Roberts, another fighter from Bells Gym in Christchurch. Barclay controlled the fight well, with some well-placed punches and tight defence earning him a final points victory of 22-7.
Jahvan Tuhakaraina (14), who fought in the junior open 44kg-46kg final, beat Ryan Acland, of Southend Boxing Club in Invercargill, earning him the most promising Southland junior boxer trophy at the prizegiving.
