It was long and deep enough and with his future why would you risk it.
I really hope I'm wrong but I did hear from someone in oz they weren't to fussed about missing it but that was not long after the fight and I just checked boxrec and he is still down so that gives me some hope that I could be wrong. Love watching him fight
Looks like Rapira lost in a split, but check out the cards for the split? As well all know judges can be looking for different things but that is one hell of a difference. If anyone has seen the fight I would love to know your thoughts???
Respect to Rapira for taking such a tough fight in front of his home town and I'm the first to admit that I thought Powdrill would have had too much power for him.
referee: Paul McSharry judges: David Craig 92-98, Laurie Glozier 94-97, Arnaru Harriman 97-94
Got in just before me, justafan. Looks like my man, James Langton, won by KO in the fifth.
Langton v Lance Bryant! Lets make it happen, that would be a fight worth paying to watch!
Good fight. But I'd prefer to see Langton vs Betham on the Parker undercard in Auckland. Would be huge publicity for the Batman, Betham has called him out, and I think Langton could get him. Langton has another fight in October, however, in Waitara against a TBC. Then I think he's doing a show in Hawera in November/December. A hometown fighter.
I know what you are saying but I would thing Bryant is a better fight and I also like to see BOXERS gets these chances. Yes Monty is nowhere near your sbw and any other ex footy player that suddenly decides they are a boxer given his history in the sport but still lets see the true fighters gets a chance to shine.
I love what Langton does for the sport but at the same time there are quality fights that are evenly contested on these small stages and too many one sided fights on cards like Duco's. Really keen to see more grass roots guys on the big stage where everyone can see them.
I know the argument is they don't sell so there is no money in them but the sport is now getting to the stage where these national belts can be hyped up.
On national belts, I presume Murphy beat Maxwell???
I agree. Bryant is probably the better fighter, and a bigger stage is in Auckland. I think Langton is a little like Duco in the sense that he can probably do better financially putting on his own shows, or shows with Rapira, in Taranaki than fighting for other promoters elsewhere. Just guessing. Of course, McRae or Duco could offer the Batman a good purse to fight in Auckland?
Yip you are probably right there and at his age is he really wanting to fight for less money on tv or keep supporting those who have supported his shows etc?
Probably a no brainer but I'm sure it would be different if he was 29 years old.
It just sux that sometimes we see really on sided cards and then from time to time you hear about these epic fights that were watched by a couple of thousand people max
The shows are a hassle to put on, but fun. We sold out in Opunake with three weeks remaining. About 700 people. Probably could have done twice that, which is why he's getting a bigger venue in Hawera in November/December.
But I don't see him as one dimensional in terms of where he fights. Or the money. I think he'd fight in Auckland or even OZ if it was the right opportunity. He has a passion for the sport that outweighs money and the big lights. Weirdly, he's getting better each fight. He lost his first two fights in his career, and has won the last 9 or so after that. He clearly outclassed Monty F. Due to Monty's aggression, he had to fight on the back foot for much of the fight, but ended up exchanging with him several times. The last time, the ref stopped it, and he became the cruiser champ.
He's a farmer. He and his wife promoted the fight in Opunake, he helped put the ring up the morning of the fight, whooped Monty, and was tending to the cows the next morning. Great story.
Thanks Mark, must admit I have never seen Hemi fight. What you have said is quite encouraging, hope he makes out though and all the best though.
The old axum a good big man beats a good small man has played out well in the day as per height and range, but we shall see. As said before, not many can emulate Mike Tyson.