Boxing: Bay pugilist ready for higher level

Close: Tipene Maniapoto did himself proud during his loss to Sam Rapira. Photo/File

Hawke's Bay boxer Tipene Maniapoto was paid the ultimate compliment by the first bloke to beat him during his professional career on Friday night.

"That guy is a warrior and well ready to fight at a higher level," Taranaki's Sam Rapira told Maniapoto's trainer Rod Langdon after he beat Maniapoto by a unanimous decision in their 10-round battle for the vacant Pan-Asian Boxing Association's light-heavyweight belt which was the feature bout on the card of the Fowler Homes Taranaki Explosion Fight Night in Taranaki's TSB Centre.

For 27-year-old Maniapoto it was his first loss in six pro bouts after a 30-bout amateur career in which he had 15 wins and 15 losses. For Rapira, 33, it was his 16th win in his 20th and final pro fight. Before turning pro Rapira had 59 wins during a 70-bout amateur career.

"Tip lost by two points. He was knocked down twice and that proved the difference . . . he was in it all the way until the last punch from Sam with 10 seconds remaining in the final round," Langdon recalled.

Maniapoto had the edge during the early rounds when he worked Rapira's upper body and got some good shots in. However Rapira gained the upperhand in the fifth round when he began to move away from the body and worked upstairs earning the first of his knock downs in the process.

Rapira was strong during the final five rounds and when he scored his second knock down at the end of the 10th Rapira was always going to be handed the belt at the post-fight presentation.

"Tip and I were a bit glum for a while afterwards. But then Tip told me he learnt a lot and he wants to be first in the queue to fight Sam should he decide to come out of retirement. At no stage did I think Tip was out of his depth," Langdon said.

"Obviously Tip was always going to be up against it. Rapira was motivated in what was his last fight and he was in his own backyard. It was also Tip's first 10 rounder. But he should be proud of himself.

"Yes Rapira's experience showed during the later rounds. Tip made a couple of errors of judgement and got whacked ... but Rapira had to draw on all his experience,' Langdon added.

Maniapoto's next fight will be in July. It will be interesting to see the calibre of opponents chase after that assignment in the wake of Rapira's compliment.