One commentator suggested this would have been mainly due to 18oz gloves being used by the mostly novice fighters (which cushioned blows, at least compared with the smaller 10oz gloves used by experienced pugilists).
Perhaps it could also be attributed to the attention many gave to preparations: a crash course in boxing had been endured over the past 12 weeks, a gruelling and intensive programme by all accounts.
One coach, Rusty Porter - who trained several of the night's rookie fighters - said all the training in the world still couldn't prepare someone for the trial by fire they faced when they climbed through the ropes for the first time.
Watching the boxers, particularly the beaten ones, sucking in huge breaths after their fight was completed was clear evidence of what each appearance had cost.
Blow by blowSo, to the card ... The first bout saw Brad Nattrass (28 years old) gain the upper hand over Harley Sloane (42) to win by majority decision. A real firestarter for proceedings with both fighters refusing to take a back foot throughout, this match-up set an appropriate tone for the remainder of the night.
Bout 2 saw the highly anticipated clash between the Windleborn boys, with Denny (27) eventually overpowering Hazely (31); the latter perhaps paying for a comment made earlier in the piece by predicting the outcome in noting with a laugh, "Put it this way, he has never beaten me yet!"
The round ended with the first of two women's match-ups on the night, Rebecca Bilcich (39) beating Margot Dusevich (47) by unanimous decision. The pair came out all guns blazing for the first round and wound the audience up something bad, before the last two rounds became a real test of their staying power.
Following a break, the second round began with Hayden Smyth (25) beating Josh Puckey (25), while Joel Hobson (30) beat Joe Urlich (30), both bouts intensely contested affairs. Bout 6 turned into a real ripper with Boycie Tawhara (45) and Xavier Dromgool (34) fighting each other to a standstill in one of the evening's most entertaining match-ups. Both boxers left everything in the ring and were rewarded with a draw by the NZPBA judges.
Another extended break before MC Tauha 'Toast' Te Kani, who seemed born to the role, introduced the third and final round. This was the business end of the night, so were punters starting to grow weary after two full-on hours already of fighting, socialising and extremely loud music? No.
Bout 7 saw Holli Rudolph (24) beat Hepa Busby (22) on unanimous decision. Although this started out as an old school, rip-roaring slugfest, Rudolph began to carve out the upper hand halfway through the second round. Bout 8 saw Lani Faeila (23) from Kaikohe beat Tarvae Barker (36) in the second women's fight of the night, with stamina again proving the telling factor by the crucial final round.
Kurt Nattrass (32) defeat James Tattersall (36) in another hugely entertaining and popular match-up; the former gaining the advantage from late in the second round although the Te Rarawa rugby player stood his ground and continued to launch offensives in the face of the onslaught.
The final fight of the night saw Dayna Young (34) beat Martin Williams (33), the pair going toe to toe throughout all three rounds and putting on a show worthy of the hype as the headline act.
Organisers noted the popularity of the event has ensured its future was secured as an annual fixture. Apparently, interest is so high, a number of corporate tables have already been booked. Back in Te Ahu last Saturday, some in the audience ended up being so moved, they have pledged their allegiance to the cause, indicating their intentions to get in the ring next year to settle some longstanding beefs.
Kaitaia, it seems, can look forward to a fight of even more epic proportions.
- More images from the night can be found on page 11 and also check out the gallery on the Age website.
