National welterweight champion Bowen Morgan, of Christchurch, dropping Auckland contender Shay Walker-Brock in the second round was one of the highlights of the Epic Boxing Showdown in the Queenstown Memorial Hall on Saturday. Morgan decisively won by 36 points to 26 and was named "fighter of the night".
More than 300 spectators gathered around the temporary ring to cheer five Queenstown pugilists against five opponents from around the South Island, in fights of three rounds, each lasting two minutes.
A dozen additional boxers from around New Zealand fought fights of three rounds, each of three minutes.
Fight Science ABC head coach Stewart Mitchell, of Queenstown, yesterday said while revenue was not as high as he hoped to help fund the club and programmes next season, the event was a successful starting point to gauge public interest.
There was enough money for junior boxing training beginning in April, Mr Mitchell said.
"The boxers want to come back next year, they loved the crowds and loved Queenstown. The atmosphere was brilliant, the fights got better with more experience and ... everyone was keen for the next one."
• Queenstown v Rest of the South Island. -
Light Heavyweight 80kg, Novice:
Steve Dent, of Fight Science Queenstown, beat Jared Norton, of Christchurch, 23-22.
Welterweight 66kg Novice:
Thomas Donaldson, of Christchurch, beat Hayden Jones, of Fight Science Queenstown, 24-13.
Middleweight 77kg Novice:
Callum Owen, of Queenstown Boxing Gym, beat Blade Fiu, of Wellington, 29-26.
Middleweight 75kg Novice:
Nicola-Ann Kay, of Fight Science Queenstown, beat Pania Wehi, of Invercargill, 22-13.
Light Heavyweight 81kg Open Class:
Eddie Holtslag, of Fight Science Queenstown, beat Kimihia Wineera, of Invercargill, 18-15.
• The best of the rest versus the best from around New Zealand. -
Welterweight 69kg Open Class:
Martin Mech, of Queenstown Boxing Gym, beat Leroy Hindley, of Wellington, 18-17.
Lightweight 60kg Open Class:
Steve Farrant, of Timaru, beat Cam Young, of Dunedin (points unavailable yesterday).
Welterweight 69kg Open Class:
Ben Fraser, of Dunedin, beat Nathan O'Brien, of Christchurch (points unavailable yesterday).
Light-welterweight 64kg Open Class:
Carl Dickey, of Nelson, beat Harrison Scaife, of Wellington, 35-28.
Welterweight 69kg Open Class:
Bowen Morgan, of Christchurch, beat Shay Walker-Brock, of Auckland, 36-26.
Heavyweight Open Class:
Tom Heads, of Invercargill, beat Sunny Teki-Clark, of Christchurch (no points yet).
