Cricket: Hollioake's expecting feathers to fly

Adam Hollioake displays his lack of knowledge about kiwi history at the National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier yesterday. Photo / Paul Taylor

Throw an ex-rugby league player into the boxing ring to fight a former cricketer and one would expect an early finish in favour of the leaguie.

Particularly if that leaguie is former Warriors skipper and Kiwis forward Monty Betham who boasts a professional boxing career of six wins and one loss. But when the summer code kingpin is former England allrounder Adam Hollioake, who is the only international cricketer to compete professionally as a mixed martial artist, the respect gap evens up.

"I always fancy my chances and no doubt Monty fancies his. It's going to be pretty fiery and one of us is going to get knocked out. People are going to get their money's worth," Hollioake said as he pondered their March 28 fight in Christchurch which is scheduled for four three-minute rounds.

In addition to his five cage fights Hollioake, 43, has also had three boxing bouts. Although he is in Hawke's Bay for today's Legends of Cricket match at Te Awanga's Clifton County Cricket Club he is still training twice a day for his clash with Betham.

"I'm sure Monty will be doing the same. There will be no alcohol for me either during the match," Hollioake said.

There has been plenty of banter between the pair with Betham stating he was keen to show Hollioake that calling someone out is probably not the best thing to do. Earlier this month Hollioake said he was sick of fighting people and not being taken seriously so he was looking for someone who would generate credit for him if he beat them ... Betham met the criteria.

The fact the fight is in Christchurch as part of the Super 8 fight night may prove an unlucky omen for Hollioake who played four tests and 35 one-day internationals for England between 1996 and 1999. During his one and only previous visit to New Zealand in 1989 Hollioake collected a stress fracture in Christchurch and was sent home before games between the England and New Zealand under-19 teams.

Hollioake, who averaged 25.25 with the bat in ODIs, was impressed with the venue for today's friendly Twenty20 game after a visit yesterday.

"It was beautiful. I was captivated by the view ... one of the most picturesque grounds I have been to," Hollioake said.

"I'm predicting a low scoring encounter with lots of dropped catches because everyone's concentration will be broken by the view."

"I usually bat in the middle order and I'm expecting to bowl a few overs. Hopefully not too many. It's been a year since I've played and when you see me play you will understand why," said the Gold Coast-based Englishman.

Should Hollioake fail as a boxer he should consider becoming a comedian. He mentioned how he had two passports, an Aussie one because he was born in Melbourne and his English one.

"When I arrived at Auckland Airport I pulled out the Aussie one first and got reminded about the Aussie underarm incident in 1981.

"I told customs that was almost 40 years ago and then pulled out the English one and got reminded about the hiding the Black Caps handed out on Friday ... I couldn't win," he joked.

As Hawke's Bay Tourism staff showed him around the National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier yesterday Hollioake said he didn't think Kiwis were live birds.

"I thought they were mythical creatures like trolls. It wasn't until I saw a Beware of the Kiwis sign at Te Awanga that I realised they were real," he added.

As if Betham didn't need more motivational ammunition.