All-out war to win cruiserweight title

CHAMPION: Zane Hopman, centre, the new North Island World Muaythai Council Cruiserweight champion, pictured soon after his title winning bout in New Plymouth on Saturday night alongside Brendan Varty, left, fellow Fortitude Thai Boxing fighter and Wairarapa professional kickboxing champion, and Bryce Baron, right, head coach at Fortitude Thai Boxing Gymnasium in Masterton. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Masterton kickboxer Zane Hopman has seized the North Island World Muaythai Council Cruiserweight title after fighting five rounds of "all-out war" at the weekend, says his head coach Bryce Baron.

Hopman's title fight had been the major drawcard at the Eruption 4 tournament held on Saturday night at the New Plymouth YMCA, where fellow Fortitude Thai Boxing Gymnasium fighter Brent Segrue also completed a successful bout.

Segrue was to have fought his contest debut but instead completed a 73kg novice bout against Porirua Alpha club fighter Gerard Roach. Baron said the Fortitude fighter would have "easily" won on points if the fight had been a contest bout.

Baron said the Hopman victory had been hard-won and very much deserved by the new North Island Cruiserweight champion.

His opponent Ziggy Croft had entered the 86kg bout with an amateur career record identical to Hopman - nine wins from the past nine fights, Baron said.

"It was always going to be a tough fight with both fighters undefeated and they went the full distance. It was a mean fight from two boys who are extremely fit, skilled and powerful - it was all-out war."

Croft had early tried to control the ring, Baron said, but Hopman had been "far too slick to let that happen" and had dominated with his ring fitness and well-rounded fight skills.

"Zane unleashed some devastating leg kicks that took all the power from Ziggy's hands and from there, he (Hopman) was able to dictate the fight. Ziggy couldn't match him in the grapples either and that was where Zane landed a few good elbows as well."

Hopman went on to take every round in a unanimous points decision, Baron said, and is now the top ranked amateur cruiserweight in New Zealand.

Hopman would now start training for his first New Zealand title shot under Baron, boxing coach John Kamo, and New Zealand professional champion Brendan Varty. An opponent is yet to be confirmed for Hopman in the New Zealand World Muaythai Council Cruiserweight title fight, Baron said, but the bout will be a main drawcard for the Battle of the Bush 3 tournament being hosted by Fortitude Thai Boxing in Masterton on November 23.

He said Segrue was set down for his first contest bout in Wellington later this month.