Bentson in fine form for NZ Golden Gloves date

Fresh off the back of a winning performance at the North Island Golden Gloves, Whangarei-based boxer Kahukura Bentson won a rematch against Ikani Falekaono at the Inga Tuigamala Boxing Tournament.
The bout was Bentson's 130th win from 170 fights, and he easily defeated Falekaono, who boxes for Tappy's Boxing Gym in South Auckland, at the tournament held recently in Kelston.
Last month, the pair battled it out as preparation for the NI Golden Gloves, which took place in Rotorua two weeks ago, and the bout ended in the fourth round. In the rematch, the 31-year-old Bentson stopped his opponent in the third round.
"The match was fought in the middleweight division. I won the bout during the third round after the referee signalled Falekaono to his corner after the third eight count in the bout," Bentson said.
The boxer, originally from Kaitaia, said: "I felt confident going into the bout wanting to end it before the end of the third round. During the first round I kept my jab out using my distance.
"In the second I picked up the work rate and kept him on his back foot.
"I had his measure landing lead right hands followed up by left hooks which had him against the ropes and on his back foot."
Bentson is hoping to get one more bout before contesting the New Zealand Golden Gloves, in Nelson on July 10.
He needs to win his division at the NZ Golden Gloves, and also win gold or lose to the gold medallist by no more than three points at the Oceania Boxing Tournament in August, to qualify as a welterweight boxer for October's New Delhi Commonwealth Games.