In just over five weeks ‘the long awaited title fight’ featuring Sonny Bill Williams and the highly rated Richard Tutaki happens in Hamilton, New Zealand.
The fight is being promoted by Tony Mundine of BOXA International. The undercard features several Australian up and comers such as Gold Coast based lightweight Billel Dib and Sydney based super middleweight Bilal Akkway.
Of the six fights which are down for the undercard, only one as yet has an opponent pencilled in, that being the 37-year-old, 0-5 record, Dicky Peirara.
Apart from Dicky, Williams and Tutaki, there is only one other ‘local’ as yet scheduled to fight, that being former New Zealand Commonwealth Games representative, and now Sydney resident, cruiserweight Daniel Aloua (5-0 record).
The promoters are obviously relying on the pulling power of Williams with pay per view. In my experience of boxing crowds (38 years fighting and attending), unless it’s a world-class bout, there have to be local boys fighting to put bums on seats.
A quick check of Tutaki’s record shows the following. He’s 33, standing 192 cm. His record is 19 wins, 21 losses, one draw from 41 fights. He is ranked fourth of New Zealand heavyweights. David Tua is No. 1.
His last 10 fights include KOs in rounds one and two to Australians Mark de Mori, Nathan Briggs, and John Hopate. He has had four wins including a third-round TKO at the Headhunters MC Clubhouse.
Other losses of note are two second round KOs to Bob Miravic, a third-round KO to Shane Cameron, and two points defeats to New Zealand-based American Chancey Welliver. Coincidently Chancey is fighting in Auckland on 21 January for the New Zealand National Boxing federation heavyweight title.
A crowd drawer? I don’t think so. The New Zealand public were recently ‘treated’ to former All Blacks ‘fighting’ against former league players. The main event involved six two-minute rounds featuring Shane Cameron and Monty Betham. 16-ounce gloves were worn (that is, sparring gloves), and reports I’ve heard indicated the night was a joke, though an earner for its contestants.
There comes a time where the public will get sick of paying good money for publicity stunts. I respect any bloke that puts on the gloves and gets in the ring, and power to Williams for trying his hand at the sweet science, but to have it as a pay per-view with hyped-up adverts currently on Fox (and I’m guessing Sky in New Zealand) is an insult to both the paying public and to the real fighters out there, who train twice a day for love just to try and get that foot in the door overseas to have a go full time.
Damien
Guest
My apologies. I got that info from an article in the NZ Herald. One of their rugby journo's said something along the lines of pay puts him roughly in the range of Carter & McCaw. I probably just misinterpreted his point. SBW is the first AB that I know of that has the boxing clause written in his contract..
allblackfan
Guest
fyi, damien. SBW's rugby deal is nowhere near Carter or McCaw's, not even near a rough approximation. The reason SBW is allowed to keep boxing is that the NZRU is aware he took a big pay cut to return to NZ and this is their way of allowing him to compensate for that. SBW is not thefirst ``accomplished'' boxer to play for the ABs, just the most high profile
Damien
Roar Guru
I believe that the SBW fight will get good PPV numbers and make everyone who has a financial stake in the fight a tidy sum. The 'cluless' tag that SBW's management get is alittle misguided. They've been able to get away with so much its quite unbelievable. If someone told you that a league player with only 2 years rugby experience (in Europe conditions as well, not NZ) can come into the home of the most iconic rugby team on the planet and get paid roughly on par with the 2 most influential players on the planet (who are almost considered NZ institutions - remember Carter and McCaw have spent all their rugby careers in NZ as well, SBW just walked in the door) . What would you say ? Oh and also throw in a few boxing bouts DURING a RWC year. Clueless isn't really the right word I reckon. I feel for fighters that train their arse off but don't seem to get the breaks that SBW does, I really do. Unfortunately thats just the nature of the beast. Pro sports is like that. In the NZ, Oz market this fight will rate well in the PPV stakes because SBW is a marketing phenomenom, not a world class boxer (which he isn't...yet). With an SBW fight there are so many different type of people that want to watch him. You have curious rugby and league fans. Fans who want to see him get KO'ed. Fans who just want to see him fullstop. And then you'll have a few boxing fans who will want to see where SBW is at with his skills. Thats a huge potential market. How ironic it is that Mundine got knocked back by the Chavez Jr camp because he's not a big enough name in the States !!. Even though Mundine should be able to handle Trout (just) the downside to Mundine if he lost is not something Mundine wants to risk. Mundine has only a few fights in him I reckon and he's better off trying to take on a 'name'. That gives him a decent payday and even if he lost as long as he lost 'good' he'd be able to cop that and not look too bad. This fight should be interesting because its good to see SBW go up against someone of similar height, reach, weight. Also interesting that Tutaki is supposed to have better overall boxing skill than SBW. Its the conditioning which is Tutaki's problem. After all that talk, I won't be paying for the PPV (I use mine on the UFC) but I'll definitly be following it.
The Grafter
Guest
Very, very true 1simox. I was disappointed to hear Teddy Atlas say on live Friday Night Fights last weekend he doesnt believe the Pacman Mayweather fight will go ahead due to the greed of the fighters. Without boxing, these boys would be nothing (although many could argue Pacman would be a cabaret singer, or local member), and it is up to them to put something back, paticularly as you say when the sport is under seige. Boxing needs a fight like this....
The Grafter
Guest
Tounge in cheek Blake. No problems being ranked behind david Tua, but the rest of NZ's heavyweights (excluding Meeham and Colin Wilson) leave alot to be desired.
Chab
Guest
If it wasn't for his management he'd heed be involved so many of field incidents just like most rugby players
1simox
Roar Rookie
Only a fool or a close mate of Sonny's would purchase PPV for this fight. Boxa are a business and are doing what businesses do, however it is definately at the expense of world ranked aussie and kiwi fighters. Many argue that Mundine has helped revive the sport in this country in the past 10 years, but the mediocre contests he has served up to the public for the past few years has damaged the sport at a time when MMA is dominating the marketplace.
Blake
Guest
"The highly rated Richard Tutaki", who has "19 wins, 21 losses, one draw from 41 fights"...who on earth is doing the ratings?
The Grafter
Guest
Do they benefit Tuapao, or would it be the equivalent of when Jeff Fenech went to play for Paramatta in the 80's which was publicity for both parties? Im not knocking Sonny, however does it warrant pay per view when so many more professional boxers are sitting on the sidelines.
The Grafter
Guest
Thats a hell of a call Sledge...:) Hopefully Anthony can secure himself a couple of big fights whilst he in Vegas this week. I still dont know why he doesnt take the mandatory title fight with Austin Trout who is VERY beatable.
sledgeross
Guest
Disagree Tuapou. He is treating it as an off season activity. If he was fair dinkum he would chuck in footy and do boxing full time (just like Mundine, who conquered the world of rugby league and is probably the best boxer the world has seen in the last 20 years........
Will Sinclair
Guest
People might tune in to watch SBW and his clueless management team continue to destroy what could have been a brilliant career. It would be the same people who slow down to watch a car crash.
Tuapou
Guest
I'm in. Its not about a publicity stunt. This is sonny bill rising in the ranks of boxing which your watching. Ur watching history. So what about v level of opponent or even v title they r fighting for. This could lead to bigger & better things & vats reason enough. Besides sbw has brought attention to boxing so all boxers benefit if u r willing to look at v bigger picture.