Story and photos by David Finger

By Fightnews.com

All eyes in boxing may be on Auckland, New Zealand for this weekend’s super fight featuring Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz for the vacant heavyweight title, but with the super fight just one night away a smaller, but no less passionate, crowd came out to support some hometown fighters at the Auckland Boxing Association (ABA) Stadium across town. Craig Thompson and CTP Boxing hosted the “Christmas Cracker” fight card, an annual event at the ABA Stadium. Founded in 1887, the Auckland Boxing Association had made its home at the ABA Stadium since 1992, and the stadium had as much character and charm as many venues twice the size.

The “Christmas Cracker” card fell a night before the Parker-Ruiz PPV clash and featured mostly amateur or “corporate” fights. However the card was rounded off with two professional fights featuring a pair of rising young Kiwis looking to break into the big time much like their countryman Joseph Parker had done.

In the main event 21-year old light heavyweight Panuve “Wild Boy” Helu nearly saw his fight scratched at the last minute when his original opponent dropped out. TRhe last6 minute replacement was the somewhat overmatched Peter Tovi’o, who was winless in his last 23 fights and had taken this fight just two days ago. Tovi’o had fought Helu back in October in a bout in which Helu scored an easy first round KO, but due to the last minute nature of the cancellation Tovi’o was called upon for a rematch that few were particularly excited about. Less then a minute in the opening round it looked like Helu would again score the easy first round knockout after a body shot dropped Tovi’o after a delayed reaction. Referee Mike Francis did not administer a count but seemed to be asking Tovi’o if he wanted to continue as Tovi’o remained on a knee. Tovi’o elected to get up and it soon became clear that Panuve Helu would try and give fans their money’s worth as he visibly carried the 40-year old veteran. Tovi’o survived the round and actually came out strong in round two, throwing heavy punches and looking to mix it up. But all that succeeded in doing was to convince Helu to up the pressure on his end as well. Helu threw several hard shots upstairs that seemed to force Tovi’o to quit, turning his back to Helu and walking away. But as referee Mike Francis administered the eight count Tovi’o decided to give it another go. But as a less than stellar combination upstairs dropped Tovi’o a second time Tovi’o’s corner man (who actually was a kid from one of the amateur fights earlier in the night who agreed to stand in as corner) threw in the towel as Mike Francis waved the fight off at 2:34 of the second round.

“I knew he had a weak body,” Helu said after the fight. “I always go for the body.”

Helu’s corner man indicated that they planned to take time off for Christmas before coming on strong in 2017 with a goal of cracking into the top 15 at some point in 2017. Although Helu was a fighter who clearly possesses some weapons in the ring, it is hard to gauge what sort of prospect he is based on the level of his opposition tonight.

Tovi’o, who had an animated ring entrance which involved bowing to the crowd, indicated this would be his last professional fight. His last win was an upset over Australian prospect Peter De Mori back in 2010. He retires with a record of 2-26-1, 2 KOs. With the victory Helu improves to 7-1-2, 6 KOs. Both fighters weighed in at 83 kilos.

In the only other professional fight of the night super welterweight Ray Musson made it two in a row since coming back after a six year layoff. Musson easily dispatched the winless Matthew Tuakolo in the opening round. Musson jumped all over Tuakolo early and rattled him with a left hand that sent him reeling. Another left hand dropped Tuakolo moments later and although Tuakolo got up he never recovered form the shot. He was quickly felled again and the fight was waved off at 1:03 of the opening round by referee John Conway. With the win Musson improves to 9-6, 7 KOs and is now undefeated since coming back after a nearly six year layoff. Tuakolo drops to 0-4. Musson weights 68 kilos while Tuakolo weighed in at 71 kilos.

Although the professional fights were not particularly competitive, it was more than made up by a stacked undercard featuring eight terrific “corporate” amateur fights. Approximately 250 fight came out for the event and none were dissatisfied with the card as a whole.