07-02-2016, 03:02 PM
Two titles for Lance Bryant with win over James Langton
Pahiatua boxer Lance Bryant will now play the waiting game to see if he has to fight for the New Zealand cruiserweight title, or if he's already won it.
Bryant beat Taranaki's James Langton by unanimous decision at Opunake on Thursday night to win the IBO Asia Pacific cruiserweight title and become the interim holder of the New Zealand title.
Langton was originally meant to fight Monty Betham for the two titles, but Betham pulled out last week with a neck injury and Bryant was the last-minute replacement, taking the bout at a week's notice.
If Betham is fit, then he will have to fight Bryant for the title, but if he is unable to fight again, he will relinquish the belt to Bryant.
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Bryant's trainer Mike Meehan would be in touch with Betham in the next week to assess their options.
Meehan had another couple of fighters he was thinking about, but Bryant will definitely be fighting in October.
Langton said after the fight he wanted a rematch, which is something the Bryant camp are open to.
Bryant, 35, feels he would be a lot more prepared for it with six weeks training, but even with a limited buildup Bryant believes he won every round against Langton.
"After six days prep it wasn't too bad," Bryant said.
Bryant had only just started training again, having taken a break after beating Monty Filimaea at the Pahiatua Fight Night in May.
But he had been in great nick in the win over Filimaea and that carried over to this fight.
Meehan and Bryant's philosophy is to keep a good base fitness and they will continue building for a fight in October at the least.
The fight was the first time Bryant has fought over 10 rounds which was a test, but he went the distance well.
The two traded blows, but the battering Bryant gave Langton took it's toll as the fight wore on.
"I'll give it to him, he was tough," Bryant said.
The win improves Bryant's record to eight wins and three losses.
Meehan and Bryant were unsure when they would hear from Betham about the seriousness of his injury.
Betham became unwell after a sparring session in preparation to fight Langton and withdrew from the match after an MRI scan.
"It was nothing that dazed me, but after sparring there were a few complications - and at the moment I've got no movement through my lower back," Betham told Fairfax Media last week. "It's weird how it's all come about.
"I'm lucky I've got great doctors to help me through the situation. After I talked to the specialist I said 'health is No 1."
Pahiatua boxer Lance Bryant will now play the waiting game to see if he has to fight for the New Zealand cruiserweight title, or if he's already won it.
Bryant beat Taranaki's James Langton by unanimous decision at Opunake on Thursday night to win the IBO Asia Pacific cruiserweight title and become the interim holder of the New Zealand title.
Langton was originally meant to fight Monty Betham for the two titles, but Betham pulled out last week with a neck injury and Bryant was the last-minute replacement, taking the bout at a week's notice.
If Betham is fit, then he will have to fight Bryant for the title, but if he is unable to fight again, he will relinquish the belt to Bryant.
READ MORE:
* No tour for Jesse
* Big win for Slow Break
Bryant's trainer Mike Meehan would be in touch with Betham in the next week to assess their options.
Meehan had another couple of fighters he was thinking about, but Bryant will definitely be fighting in October.
Langton said after the fight he wanted a rematch, which is something the Bryant camp are open to.
Bryant, 35, feels he would be a lot more prepared for it with six weeks training, but even with a limited buildup Bryant believes he won every round against Langton.
"After six days prep it wasn't too bad," Bryant said.
Bryant had only just started training again, having taken a break after beating Monty Filimaea at the Pahiatua Fight Night in May.
But he had been in great nick in the win over Filimaea and that carried over to this fight.
Meehan and Bryant's philosophy is to keep a good base fitness and they will continue building for a fight in October at the least.
The fight was the first time Bryant has fought over 10 rounds which was a test, but he went the distance well.
The two traded blows, but the battering Bryant gave Langton took it's toll as the fight wore on.
"I'll give it to him, he was tough," Bryant said.
The win improves Bryant's record to eight wins and three losses.
Meehan and Bryant were unsure when they would hear from Betham about the seriousness of his injury.
Betham became unwell after a sparring session in preparation to fight Langton and withdrew from the match after an MRI scan.
"It was nothing that dazed me, but after sparring there were a few complications - and at the moment I've got no movement through my lower back," Betham told Fairfax Media last week. "It's weird how it's all come about.
"I'm lucky I've got great doctors to help me through the situation. After I talked to the specialist I said 'health is No 1."