Enter the Dragon from Kaitaia as young star rises

Young Kaitaia kick boxer Bruce Lee has a name that ensures he will be noticed in any contest he enters. But his ability in the ring is beginning to draw attention too.
Lee took on an older, more experienced fighter, using the name All Rich, last week at Fight Club 11 in Ellerslie and despite having the edge in the first two rounds, he had to withstand an extended onslaught in the third round to eventually win the bout.
His instructor from Razor Blade Kickboxing, Bronson Waha, said Lee has progressed from a talented showman into an all-round fighter under the influence of top kickboxer 'Razor Blade' Jason Reti.
"The last time Bruce fought in Whangarei, I encouraged him to show what he could do - his fancy kicks and all that stuff but since then he and Jason [Reti] have been getting him back to basics and that showed in Ellerslie," Waha said.
Lee's defence won him the fight, he was able to stand toe-to-toe with his opponent, and then push him back and deliver his own punishment to his opponent's front leg.
The Kaitaia's boxer's name will forever link him with the Hong Kong-born martial art legend but Waha said the Kaitaia kid could have a big future in the sport.
"The ring announcer introduced him as the re-incarnation of Bruce Lee so it has sort of stuck with him wherever he fights now," Waha said.
"He found himself outside of his comfort zone last week and although it is a big reputation to live up to, he has proved now that he can manage it," he said.
Waha said the Kaitaia High School 16-year-old has a great attitude to training despite working at his parents' business after school.
"Even though he has very tight schedule he manages never to miss a training session and trains hard at 110 per cent," Waha said.
The club's head trainer Reti is currently working to open another gym in Whangarei to add to their Kaitaia gym. The club had four fighters in action at Ellerslie for Fight Night 11. RBK's Jason Kupa scored the fastest knock out of the night, with the referee counting out his opponent only 50 seconds into round one.
Another Kaitaia-based fighter Bronson Delamere battled to a draw.
After three rounds the judges couldn't separate the two fighters, so they were told to fight one more round but the pair were still too close after that round so a rare draw was announced.
And RBK fighter Charles Ione was on top early in his bout but twisted his knee knee and was forced to forfeit his bout.
Former Muay Thai World Champ and Northland export Chopper Chapman,  was the top-billing on the night.