The success of a series of boxing matches held in Levin at the weekend has organisers planning another event later this year.
Taitoko Takeover drew a crowd of almost 1000 people to the Horowhenua Events Centres to watch 11 bouts involving mostly fighters making their boxing debut, from local policeman to builders, stay-at-home mothers and a teacher.
Golden Horse Promotions director Charlie Rudd said the magic was in giving ordinary people a chance to train and prepare properly, and then box in a controlled environment.
Referee Robert Revill gives Jay Rea and Junior Vaikai their final instructions ahead of the main bout. Photo: Michelle Davies Photography.
Rudd said for most, it was a personal challenge. Winning and losing was secondary. It was the journey to fitness and the camaraderie of training that they found the most enriching aspect.
"Anyone that enters the ring is a winner. They're all champions," he said.
Rudd said the safety of anyone entering the ring was paramount. There were some fighters that had gone through the training camps that weren't able to compete "because they just weren't ready".
Vienna Williams and Tori Bell had the job of introducing each round.
Anyone wanting to box had to go through a rigorous 12-week training programme and were assessed regularly then to see if they were fit for the challenge. There was an age limit of 55.
There were 956 tickets sold to Taitoko Takeover Fight Night.
"Morally and lawfully we want to protect everyone, at all times," he said.
He was heartened by feedback and comments afterwards from people who said it was good to see an event of its like staged in Levin. It was that feedback that encouraged him to look at another event.
"It exceeded every expectation," he said.
Pete Parata and Clark Sanson watch on from a corporate table.
"It really came together behind the scenes and really it was great to prove that Levin can stage events like this."
The event had a limit of 1000 tickets for the hall and sold 956 tickets.
"I'm just proud. Proud of the fighters, the volunteers and everyone working together in unison. They're champion people," he said.
Each boxer came out to their own chosen theme song. Three rounds were kept to a minute long, except the main bouts that had rounds of two minutes.
Rebecca Jennings kept time and rang the bell for each round.
The first bout was at 5pm. There was plenty of food to eat, with platters on every table, and the lights came on after the last bout at about 9.30pm.
While the best tables were sold for $2000, seating 10 people, the catering bill alone for Taitoko Takeover was $19,000, he said.
Arna Churchward warms up for her bout against Tania Barnett.
Financially, Rudd said he was happy for Golden Horse Promotions to break even and stage more events.
Nick Pownall lands one against Ben Tonise in their bout.
Rudd said unruly behaviour from a crowd at an event like Taitoko Takeover only put future events in jeopardy.
He said the key was to provide good wholesome entertainment and then go home.
"Nothing good happens after midnight," he said.
Danny Gillespie (left) won his bout against Jason Jack.
Rudd said he had great support from Horowhenua District Council, MidCentral Health, Levin Police, security firms, fire wardens, caterers, bar managers and staff.
Troy Saussey (red) and Zane Brooks got the night off to a good start with a busy an evenly contested bout.
He reserved his greatest praise for the people themselves who entered the ring.
"Winning and losing was secondary. They're all champions," he said.
Rudd said the aim of the event was to break even and any profit would go towards purchasing new equipment for the boxing gym.
Claire Henshaw looks to land a punch in her bout with Kiara Comp.
The first bout between Troy Saussey and Zane Brooks set the tone for some great boxing. The most even bout was between Jane Masoe and Kelly Bishop-Greig, with Masoe gaining the decision.
Jason Jack gets some last minute instruction from his corner.
Jay Rea came back from a slow start to beat Junior Vaikai in the main event.
The bout between Daniel Gillespie and Jason Jack went down to the wire.
The next event had been pencilled in for October 16.
"We've already started planning," he said.
The home crowd cheered as Jane Masoe's arm was raised at the end of her epic bout with Kelly Bishop-Greig.
Kelly Bishop-Greig was genuinly happy when Jane Masoe's hand was raised at the end of their very even bout. Both boxers hugged at final bell.
Claire Hensaw enters the ring.
Jay Rea and Junior Vaikai hug it out after their epic final bout.
